Week 3 football preview: County teams kick off region play
Belgreen (1-1) vs. Cherokee (1-1)
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Sparks Stadium
Last week: Belgreen broke away from Brilliant in the second half to win by a final score of 47-14.
Series history: Belgreen is 1-1 against Cherokee. The Bulldogs won last season’s contest 28-14.
What to expect: The Bulldogs will be confident following their big win over Brilliant last week; plus, it’s homecoming for BHS and the region opener, so there’s added incentive to grab another win. Cherokee is coming off an open week so should be rested, but in their first game CHS’ defense struggled to stop Tharptown’s attack. With what we saw from Belgreen’s offense last week, the hosts shouldn’t have much trouble avoiding a homecoming spoiler.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Belgreen (23 points)
Next week: The Bulldogs travel to region opponent Red Bay.
Phil Campbell (0-2) vs. Lexington (2-0)
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Parrish Stadium
Last week: Phil Campbell was beaten by Central-Florence 49-14.
Series history: Phil Campbell is 1-9 all-time against Lexington, the Bobcats’ sole win over the Golden Bears taking place in their last meeting in 2019. PCHS won that game 34-7.
What to expect: It’s been a rough opening two weeks for the 0-2 Bobcats who are coming off a big loss to Central-Florence. A win of any kind would be helpful now, but a region win over Lexington, which is coming off a blowout win over Clements last week, especially so. Lexington, the favorite in this one, will be a fierce opponent. On paper PCHS has the players to win, but the Bobcats need to demonstrate that ability it on the field—the sooner the better.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Lexington (12 points)
Next week: PCHS travels to J.B. Pennington for another region showdown.
Red Bay (2-0) vs. Phillips (1-1)
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Fred Bostick Jr. Stadium
Last week: Red Bay defeated Sheffield 34-14.
Series history: Red Bay is 19-3-1 all-time against Phillips. The last meeting between these two programs was way back in 1989 when the Tigers came out on top 56-6.
What to expect: RBHS is the heavy favorite and for good reason. The No. 7 team in Class 2A is coming off two impressive wins. Junior playmaker Davian Colburn has been playing like a machine. And the Red Bay defense has forced a lot of turnovers already this year. If the Tigers play as well as they have the last two weeks, a homecoming win should be wrapped up by halftime.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Red Bay (36 points)
Next week: The Tigers play host to Belgreen in another region matchup.
Russellville (2-0) at Hartselle (1-1)
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: J.P. Cain Stadium (Hartselle, Ala.)
Last week: Russellville knocked off Mars Hill 21-7, snapping the Panthers’ 21-game winning streak.
Series history: Russellville leads the series with Hartselle 24-11-1, but HHS has had Russellville’s number as of late, winning the last five meetings. The Golden Tigers’ last win was a 6-3 victory in 2012. In region games, RHS is 9-3 vs. Hartselle.
What to expect: There are no weeks off with Russellville’s schedule this year. Three weeks in and the Golden Tigers will be facing a third big test in their region opener vs. Hartselle—and this one is on the road. Hartselle, which is receiving votes in the Class 5A rankings, lost 14-9 in a bit of an upset to Cullman last week after the Tigers were stopped short of a game-winning touchdown as time expired. No doubt the hosts will be motivated to bounce back. For Russellville, heading into its first hostile environment this campaign, Friday’s game will be an early indicator of how much this team can compete in one of the hardest regions in the state. The Golden Tiger defense has shown its ability to hold it’s own thus far this year; the Russellville offense, however, will need to do a better job sustaining drives and finishing them in the endzone to beat Hartselle.
AHSFHS predicted winner: Hartselle (13 points)
Next week: The Golden Tigers return home for another region game vs. Florence.
Tharptown (0-2) — OPEN
Last week: Tharptown lost to Shoals Christian 24-12
Next week: Tharptown travels to Vina.
Vina (0-2) — OPEN
Next week: Vina hosts Tharptown.