Week 1 football preview: Longtime rivals Phil Campbell and Red Bay, Russellville and Deshler clash
Belgreen at Woodville
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Frazier Field (Woodville, Ala.)
Series history: This is the first meeting between Belgreen and Woodville.
What to expect: Woodville was a playoff team last year, averaging 31.5 points per game, winning a program-best seven games and finishing runner-up in Class 1A Region 8. Assuming the Panthers are still in the ascendency and didn’t lose too much from 2025, this will be a good opening test for the Bulldogs, especially on the road.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Belgreen (8 points)
Next week: Belgreen will host Brilliant at Sparks Stadium next Friday night for the first meeting between the two programs.
Red Bay vs. Phil Campbell
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Fred Bostick Jr. Stadium
Series history: The meeting will be the 84th between RBHS and PCHS, the longest-running rivalry for the Tigers and second-longest for the Bobcats. Red Bay leads the series 49-34. In 2025, the matchup between the two ended in dramatic fashion after PCHS scored a late, go-ahead touchdown to win 46-38.
What to expect: Both head coaches have stated their expectations of this one: A tough, physical game and a great early barometer of where the two teams are at. It’s a rivalry game so no worries either team will head into this one sluggish. Red Bay, at home, will be out to avenge last season’s heartbreaking defeat; however, with so many experienced play-makers returning for the Bobcats, the advantage likely lies with Phil Campbell.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Red Bay (1 point)
Next week: Red Bay will host Sheffield next week. Phil Campbell will play its first home game against Central-Florence.
Russellville vs. Deshler
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Golden Tiger Stadium
Series history: The 39th straight meeting between the Tigers will be the 100th in series history. Deshler leads the series by one game, 48-47-4. New Russellville head coach Darrell Higgins knows all about this rivalry, having spent several years on the Deshler sideline coaching in it. Last season, Russellville lost the game 15-14 after Deshler converted a go-ahead two-point conversion in the final minutes of regulation.
What to expect: Last season’s game was low-scoring, both defenses playing well even if the offenses tended to dry up inside the red zone. Given its opportunities, Russellville should’ve won this game last season. Their defensive unit is more or less intact from a year ago; the question is, is this new Higgins offense tuned up well enough in week one to give Russellville a better result this time around? (The Golden Tigers dropped 48 points on Winfield in their jamboree, for what it’s worth.)
AHSFHS predicted winner: Russellville (2 points)
Next week: Russellville hosts defending Class 3A champion Mars Hill, which now plays in the Single-A Private division. It will be Higgins’ first game coaching against his former team. Last season the Golden Tigers were thoroughly beaten by the Panthers 47-19, giving RHS an 0-4 record vs. the Florence-based program.
Tharptown at Cherokee
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: W.L. Harris Stadium (Cherokee, Ala.)
Series history: Tharptown is 4-6 all-time against Cherokee. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2023 when Cherokee routed THS 70-28. The Wildcats’ last win over the Indians was a 48-22 victory in 2022.
What to expect: With a returning, more experienced backfield and a defense threatening to be more aggressive, optimism around Tharptown is higher. Like Tharptown, Cherokee is coming off a one-win 2025 season, so this might be a good measuring stick game. “Might” only because, historically, these games have not been close; the last time this matchup was competitive was over 10 years ago. For what it’s worth, AHSFHS.org has Cherokee as a close favorite. Safe to say, though, that if this one is yet another rout, it’d be a less than auspicious start for the loser.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Cherokee (3 points)
Next week: Tharptown hosts Shoals Christian next Friday.
Vina at Pickens Academy
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Billy McGee Stadium (Carrollton, Ala.)
Series history: This is the first meeting between Vina and Pickens Academy.
What to expect: The Red Devils have a very young and mostly inexperienced team to start this season, so even though Pickens Academy has won just three games over the past two seasons, the home team Pirates are the favorites. A competitive game from Vina would be a great start.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Pickens Academy (11 points)
Next week: Vina travels to Phillips.