High school football is back in the state of Alabama and the opening weekend of games delivered plenty of eye-opening results. Things will really kick into gear this week. Headlining the festivities this week is a nationally-ranked showdown between Thompson, the No. 1 team in Alabama, and Grayson, the No. 2 team in Georgia. Grayson […]
High school football is back in the state of Alabama and the opening weekend of games delivered plenty of eye-opening results. Things will really kick into gear this week.
Headlining the festivities this week is a nationally-ranked showdown between Thompson, the No. 1 team in Alabama, and Grayson, the No. 2 team in Georgia. Grayson beat the Warriors on the road last season and they’ll look to return the favor in Loganville, Ga. on Friday night. Four other games between teams ranked inside the Alabama top 25 — per the Massey Ratings — are on the docket, including a top-five matchup between Vestavia Hills and Auburn. Here’s what to look out for on the gridiron in the Yellowhammer State this weekend.
No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 3 Vestavia Hills
When: Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Rebels Stadium, Vestavia Hills, Ala.
One of the biggest regular season games in the state will go down this Thursday as Vestavia Hills (1-0) hosts Auburn (1-0). Both teams flexed their muscles in wins over out-of-state foes to open the campaign, setting up a massive early-season tilt.
Auburn junior four-star quarterback Cason Myers has one of the best arms in the state and threw a pair of touchdowns to Joshua Askew in a 24-6 win over Booker (Fla.) last week. The former Pike Road gunslinger leads the Tigers into their first road game of the year, where another impressive QB awaits.
It was quite the opener for Vestavia Hills junior QB Charlie Taaffe last week, as he threw for three touchdowns, ran for two more and tallied over 250 total yards in a 49-7 win over Westside (S.C.). The Rebels don’t have a prospect-filled roster like most of the other highly-ranked teams in the state, but they looked the part in game one and will have home-field advantage inside Rebels Stadium this Thursday. Who will send an early-season message to the rest of 7A?
Massey Prediction: Vestavia Hills 31, Auburn 28
No. 1 Thompson vs. Grayson (Ga.)
When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Grayson Ram Stadium, Loganville, Ga.
In one of, if not the biggest game of the week nationally, Thompson (1-0) heads to the Peach State with revenge on its mind. Grayson (2-0) went to Alabaster early last season and defeated the Warriors on their home field, 15-14. Thompson now looks to do the same to the Rams in Loganville.
Another marquee quarterback matchup will be on display. Thompson junior signal-caller Trent Seaborn already has a 7A state title under his belt and compiled three touchdowns in the Warriors’ 37-6 win over Carver to open this season. Senior North Carolina commit Travis Burgess is on the other side for Grayson and he’s already put up solid numbers through two games.
Something notable to watch for Grayson is the status of Texas five-star linebacker commit Tyler Atkinson. The elite playmaker did not dress once again in the Rams’ 24-19 win over Rabun Gap-Nacoochee last week and is yet to make his season debut. Even if Atkinson doesn’t play, the Grayson roster is loaded and features 18 ranked prospects.
Thompson brings an impressive defensive front to the table. Senior UNC defensive lineman commit Viliami Moala transferred in just ahead of the season and was a wrecker last week. He pairs nicely with Oregon junior four-star commit Cam Pritchett. They’ll have their hands full, but so will be the Grayson defense.
Massey Prediction: Grayson 28, Thompson 27
No. 14 Mountain Brook vs. No. 9 Parker
When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Major Brown Memorial Stadium, Birmingham, Ala.
Both Mountain Brook (1-0) and Parker (1-0) each currently have two ranked in-state matchups on their respective schedules this season. That means this Friday will be a big one for both the Spartans and Thundering Herd.
Rust wasn’t a factor for either in their opening wins last week. Mountain Brook rushed for 224 yards and senior QB Cayden Hofbauer threw for four touchdowns in a 44-7 drubbing of Demopolis. Parker, defending 6A state champs, trounced rival Ramsay 41-13 on the road with senior QB Dylan Reese hurling for 321 yards and five TDs.
The Thundering Herd look to have an edge on defensive behind the likes Texas four-star commit Vodney Cleveland and Memphis cornerback pledge Johnny Moody. It may be early, but there’s plenty to play for on both sides as Mountain Brook eyes an upset on the road.
Massey Prediction: Parker 35, Mountain Brook 21
No. 7 Hoover vs. No. 17 Spain Park
When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Jaguar Stadium, Birmingham, Ala.
Hoover (0-1) hung tough with nationally-ranked IMG Academy (Fla.) on national television last week but ultimately fell 34-13 at home. The Buccaneers now head to Birmingham as they seek win No. 1 on the year. It won’t be easy, though.
Spain Park (1-0) looked like an offensive machine in its 48-31 win at Sparkman last week. Clemson quarterback commit Brock Bradley threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns on just 16 completions, while sophomore Nicolas McKissic rushed for 140 yards and two scores. The Jaguars’ defense was leaky, though, and Hoover is bringing a much better offense to the table than Sparkman.
Led by senior receiver Jonah Winston, the younger brother of Jameis Winston, as well as WR Jeremiah Tabb and junior running back CJ Cowley, Hoover will be hungry to get in the win column. This is the first of three consecutive games against ranked in-state teams for the Buccaneers.
Massey Prediction: Hoover 42, Spain Park 21
No. 11 Enterprise vs. No. 19 Pike Road
When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Patriot Field, Pike Road, Ala.
Pike Road (1-0) doesn’t have many opportunities on its schedule to collect a landmark win. Friday is one of those as Enterprise (1-0) comes to town.
The Patriots have already won their home-opener, squeezing past Prattville 21-14. Sophomore signal-caller Gunner Gibbs completed 20 of 30 pass attempts and racked up 222 yards and two touchdowns. Senior receiver Jordan Holmes was Gibbs’ top target, hauling in nine catches for 140 yards and a score. Enterprise looks to be a much tougher opponent, though.
The run game was prevalent for Enterprise in its 31-10 win over Andalusia last week. The Wildcats finished with over 200 yards on the ground, spread evenly amongst Caleb Nalls, Mason Burkhardt and Jyrell Reese. Enterprise scored a touchdown in all four quarters in the win and will now look to avoid a letdown on its first road trip this week.
Massey Prediction: Enterprise 34, Pike Road 20
Category: General Sports
