KICKOFF COUNTDOWN: River Region games to watch in 2023 high school football
Caleb McCreary and the Catholic Knights are expected to be in the thick of the race for the Class 4A state championship again in 2023. They battled Andalusia twice a year ago and are expected to do the same again this season. (File Photo)
By GRAHAM DUNN
While a handful of games in the AISA opened the 2023 high school season this past weekend, basically everybody gets into the act beginning this week.
The opening weekend includes a few rivalry games and the annual Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl, which begins Thursday with Selma taking on Beauregard. Thompson and Opelika square off on Friday.
The season will include several games that will impact region outcomes and there are a few that feature rivalries that transcend the records.
But which games will be the most meaningful? Which games will have decisive outcomes regarding region play?
River Region Sports provides the following list of games that high school football fans should circle as the new season gets underway.
Biggest Games for 2023 (in chronological order)
Pike Road at Wetumpka (Sept. 8) - This game went down to the wire a year ago with the Patriots earning a two-point win in the final minute. Playoff teams from Class 6A, Region 2 weren’t decided until the last week of the season with both Pike Road and Wetumpka earning spots 2 and 3 in the final standings. This game, although early, will have an impact on those standings again and give the winner a leg up on who will compete for the region title.
Central-Clay County at Elmore County (Sept. 15) - The Panthers turned it around last season, going from a winless season in 2021 to seven wins last year. One of the four losses was to eventual region champ Clay-Central. If Elmore County is to be a competitor in Class 5A, Region 4, a win in this game could go a long way to making that happen, since the Volunteers are once again considered the favorites.
G.W. Carver at Stanhope Elmore (Sept. 22) - A crazy finish in this game last season may have cost Stanhope Elmore a playoff spot while igniting a Carver finish to the top of the Class 6A, Region 2 standings. Carver will have a new quarterback but nearly everyone back on defense while the Mustangs have their three-year starter, Jacob Bryant, returning at quarterback. Look for another shootout in this one.
Charles Henderson at St. James (Sept. 29) -It’s not a region game for the Class 3A defending champions, but one of the losses the Trojans suffered last season. A Class 5A squad, Charles Henderson gave the Trojans an idea of the physical difficulties to prepare for what was to come in the playoffs. No reason to think this year is any different.
Elmore County at Tallassee (Oct. 6) - The Tigers have all but owned this series for the last seven years. Last year’s game was a six-point Tallassee victory but based on returning starters, the Panthers may be the favorite by the time we reach the first week of October. Either way, it will go a long way in determining playoff spots, even this early in the season.
Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka (Oct. 6) - One of the River Region’s best rivalries will have a bearing again on the playoff picture. This game rarely disappoints and both teams should be geared up for this one. As usual.
Crenshaw Christian at Lowndes Academy (Oct. 20) - Lowndes Academy was in trouble in this game a year ago down two TDs late but pulled out a win. It should be another test for the Rebels, who are going for their third straight title.
Sidney Lanier vs. G.W. Carver (Oct. 20) - Two programs that are all but merging next season. Future teammates will battle it out in what has become a typically-close game nearly every season. The last seven games have been within a score, with the lone exception being a 17-0 Carver win in 2020. No reason to expect anything less this year.
Auburn at Prattville (Oct. 27) - There is a good chance Auburn could be the class of Class 7A, Region 2 again this year. The Tigers reached the state championship game, losing to Thompson in Auburn. Prattville has a Murderer’s Row end to the season again this year with Auburn and Central-Phenix City as it’s final two opponents. Last year, the Lions needed a win in either one of those games to reach the playoffs. They didn’t get it. The Lions hope they are in a better position when the two games come around.
G.W. Carver at Pike Road (Oct. 27) - Another wild finish gave Carver the region title a season ago. Only, a controversial decision by the AHSAA afterwards benched several players for the Wolverines in the first round of the playoffs, leading to a quick exit. Expect more fireworks again in this one with Pike Road getting the game at home.
Andalusia at Montgomery Catholic (Oct. 27) - Most expect these two teams to battle for the Class 4A, Region 2 title again. The two teams split meetings last year with Catholic dominating the regular season game but then Andalusia stunned the Knights in the semifinals and went on to win the state title. Both teams should be solid again and are expected to meet twice again this season. It’s the regular-season finale for both teams. Get your tickets early.
Other Games to watch: Catholic at McGill-Toolen (Aug. 25); Lanier vs. Julian (Lee) played at Wetumpka (Aug. 25); Notasulga at Autaugaville (Sept. 8); Prattville at Opelika (Sept. 22); Stanhope Elmore at Pike Road (Oct. 20); Lowndes Academy at Edgewood Academy (Sept. 15); Trinity at Alabama Christian (Sept. 15); Enterprise at J.A.G. (Jeff Davis) (Oct. 27); Tallassee at Reeltown (Aug. 24);Montgomery Academy at Trinity (Sept. 1); Elmore County at Beauregard (Oct. 13); Marbury at Holtville (Oct. 13); Autauga Academy at Valiant Cross (Sept. 15); Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Oct. 26); Macon East at Edgewood (Oct. 5); Prattville Christian at Trinity (Oct. 20).