PREP CAPSULES (Week 0): How long before we get a handle on all the changes in high school football?
STAFF REPORT
The 2026 season is upon us.
But, wow, will we ever get a handle on it?
What’s new? Just about everything. In the AHSAA, new classifications including those in private schools in separate groups; one less classification with public schools making up six instead of seven; a different playoff look for the AISA; a few switches from AISA to AHSAA and vice versa; and a new private association on the horizon.
There is no time to get into all of this but be aware the newest edition of the River Region Football Guide has all the schedules (including flag football) to help you keep up. (Click here for the online version.)
The first week arrives with interesting and somewhat odd matchups, a few we haven’t seen for a while, a couple we’ve never seen. Thanks in part to what has happened with the private schools, which now have travel concerns once region play begins.
Public school schedules, at least near the top of the classifications, look a little more like before but not all schedules are created equal.
Whatever happens this year, it should be entertaining, including a few big time matchups this week.
Let’s get going!
Week 0
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
G.W. CARVER (6A) vs. P. JULIAN (5A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2025 Records: Carver (5-5), Julian (3-7)
Series: Carver, 3-0 (since 2023. Not included, games played between Carver and R.E. Lee)
Last year: Carver, 39-6
Key Notes: Dating back to last season, Carver opens ‘26 on a four-game losing streak… Since the name change, Julian has not lost a season opener (3-0). This is the first “city game” played at Cramton Bowl on the opening Friday night of high school football since Carver and Jeff Davis faced off in the 2019 Kickoff Classic.
The skinny: Carver refuses to play the “what if” game heading into the season. After a solid start to ‘25, the Wolverines ran into a couple of buzz saws to end the season and went from first to fourth in a tough region. Three of the losses were to the two teams that played for the 7A championship. Yep, three losses due to the fact that Carver opened the season against state champ Thompson and saw the season end against the Warriors in the first round. Julian has a new coach in Fred Farrier who has been all over the place and at different levels in coaching in his career (including his first years under Nick Saban at Michigan St). The Phoenix are still trying to figure a few things out while Carver has a little more experience and stability.
PREDICTION: Carver, 28-13
CATHOLIC (PRIVATE AA) at EUFAULA (4A)
Friday at TIger Stadium
2025 Records: Catholic (8-5), Eufaula (6-5)
Last year: Eufaula won, 35-24
Series: Tied, 1-1
Key Notes: Catholic’s run of state championships ended last year as did its 30-game winning streak… Eufaula’s program has two state titles to its credit but the last came in 1981. The Tigers reached the Class 5A semifinals in 2023 but lost to Gulf Shores.
The skinny: The old saying of “ the more things change, the more they stay the same” can be used in reverse for the Knights’ program. After dominating for seven seasons, they came down from the perch last year, although they reached the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs. Aubrey Blackwell was the coach when the run began back in 2017 and he has returned to the helm looking to get Catholic back on top. But like so many private schools, the scheduling has been difficult, outside of region play. This is the first of a tough non-region slate which includes Montgomery Academy next week and Briarwood later in the season. That’s on top of playing perennial powers such as St. Paul’s, UMS-Wright and St. Michaels. Oh, and a former large-school class champion McGill-Toolen is also on the list. Not an easy opener for the Knights that will get tougher as the season continues.
PREDICTION: Eufaula, 29-20
PIKE ROAD (5A) at ENTERPRISE (6A)
Friday at Wildcat Stadium
2025 Records: Pike Road (10-3), Enterprise (6-4)
Last year: Enterprise, 24-17
Series: Enterprise, 1-0
Key Notes: Enterprise finished the season winning the last four games but still did not make the playoffs… Pike Road has enjoyed double-digit wins every season but one since 2019.
The skinny: It’s no secret that Pike Road lost a lot of talent from last season - major college talent. But the program has entered the “reload” status in the last few years and there is no reason to believe that’s not the case now. Quarterback Gunner Gibbs returns for a third year as a starter and that alone makes Pike Road a threat. The word out of the Wiregrass is Enterprise is in rebuild mode but Ben Blackmon, a former Robert E. Lee General, will find a way to make the Wildcats competitive. Last year they waited too long before getting hot. But one of the early wins was against the Patriots. Not this year.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 28-24
TALLASSEE (4A) at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (PRIVATE A)
Friday at McLemore Field
2025 Records: Tallassee (6-5), MA (11-2)
Series: MA, 2-0
Last season: MA, 59-3
Key Notes: Among the traditional Capital City Conference teams, Tallassee has a winning series record against Alabama Christian (2-0), Catholic (3-1) and St. James (6-3)…. Last season’s 59 points was the highest total in an opening game in Montgomery Academy history. It was the third time in program history to score 50-plus points in a season opener.
The skinny: Last year’s game wasn’t supposed to be a mismatch but the Eagles were dominant while Tallassee was looking for some semblance of consistency. While the Tigers found wins as 2025 progressed, the consistency never really materialized. They have a new coach and a solid group of returning starters. But so does MA, which will be tested in its new classification/region. But this will be the third-straight season opener between the two teams and the Eagles seem to have what it takes to be a contender for a state title.
PREDICTION: MA, 33-16
KEY GAMES
Wetumpka (5A) at Andalusia (4A) – First-ever meeting between the two longstanding programs. The Indians are confident they will have a great season. Andalusia is always confident it will have a great season. Wetumpka has a few budding stars including tight end Kaleb Ballard who is garnering national attention from scouts. Wetumpka gets a big win on the road . Wetumpka, 22-20
Park Crossing (5A) at Woodlawn (4A) – Woodlawn has one of the greatest traditions in the state, although there has been little success over the last 35 years. Their program was the focus of a story featuring former Colonels star Tony Nathan (the movie - Woodlawn, of course) and integration back in the early-to-mid-70s. Park Crossing would like to end a 22-game losing streak and with the new head coach, L.A. O’Neal, it is a possibilty to happen early. Can they find what is needed to break the streak? Might be too much to ask in the first game of the year. Woodlawn, 16-8.
JAG (6A) at Shades Valley (4A) - Like Park Crossing, the Jaguars face a traditional name but a program that has not had much success lately. Since the name change from Jeff Davis, neither has JAG. This may be a case of numbers with JAG holding that advantage. On a steamy night in Birmingham, that may be the difference. JAG, 16-12.
St. James (Private A) at Daleville (2A) – Hayden Stockton gets his first win as the Trojans’ head coach. STJ, 26-15.
Bibb County (3A) at Trinity (Private A) (Thursday)– The Wildcats have more depth due to several injuries last season. They are still young and will run up against a traditionally difficult team in the Choctaws. Home team wins a close one. Bibb Co, 23-20.
Prattville (6A) at Niceville (FL) - Most expect the Lions to be better this season. Bobby Carr will have his team ready for the opener. Prattville, 33-25.
Bessemer Aca (AA) at Edgewood (AA) - Gregg Baker takes over for the Wildcats and brings with him the Wing-T offense. Will Bessemer be ready? The Rebels have been ready for the most part over the last few years. Bessemer Ac, 28-23.
THE REST
Thompson over Central-PC (Kickoff Classic/Thurs.), 28-20; Elmore Co over Chilton Co., 27-20; Holtville over Sylacauga, 35-12; Shelby Co over Marbury, 21-14; Oak Grove over Alabama Christian, 35-24; Goshen over PCA, 25-23; Autauga Aca over Patula Charter, 26-18; Jackson Aca over Hooper Aca, 35-23; Macon East over Lakeside, 45-20.
OPEN: Stanhope Elmore; Billingsley; Lowndes Academy; Valiant Cross; Evangel Christian
RECORD: Last week 0-0; Season 0-0 (.000)