High school football is back, and to kick things off, there are a whole bunch of Week 1 games. Here’s a look at each of the games Under the Lights will be covering this week. Click this link to see all the ways you can follow us, including a link to sign up for our Saturday morning newsletter where you’ll find all the action from the night before in one place.
Hoover at Western (Florida)
- Date: Saturday, August 24
- Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. Central Time)
- Location: Western High School – Davie, Florida.
Last season: Hoover finished the season 5-7 and reached the second round of the playoffs; Western finished the season 9-4 and reached the third round of the playoffs in Florida.
What you should see: After all the turmoil surrounding the Hoover football team over the summer, interim coach Chip English will lead the Bucs into the 2024 season with a long trip to South Florida to play Western in the Broward County High School National Football Showcase. The Bucs have enough talent on the roster to make progress this fall, but it remains to be seen how they handle the unusual circumstances.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between Hoover and Western.
Next week: Hoover returns home next week to face Spain Park in a city rivalry.
Spain Park vs Sparkman
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Jaguar Stadium
Last season: Spain Park finished the season 7-3 but failed to qualify for the playoffs; Sparkman finished the season 5-5 and missed the playoffs.
What you should see: Spain Park narrowly missed the playoffs last fall but put together one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Jags showed great improvement in Tim Vakakes’ second season as head coach, and another jump in performance could mean big things for Spain Park. The Jags have dropped to Class 6A and look to be one of the top teams in the area. They open the season with a game against 7A Sparkman, a team that has won just one playoff game in school history.
Last meeting: Sparkman defeated Spain Park 21-18 on September 23, 2005. Spain Park won the other two meetings between the teams, both in 2004.
Next week: Spain Park travels to Hoover for a city rivalry game while Sparkman hosts Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.
Briarwood at Oak Mountain
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Heardmont Park
Last season: Briarwood finished the season 6-6 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs; Oak Mountain had an overall record of 1-9.
What you should see: The county rivals will face off again, this time in the season opener. Briarwood is now a Class 5A team, while Oak Mountain remains a Class 7A team. Despite the size difference, the two teams will have a very competitive matchup. The Lions will look to build on their playoff appearance from last year, while the Eagles, in year two of head coach Shane McComb, are eager to continue climbing the ranks.
Last meeting: Briarwood defeated Oak Mountain 21-0 on September 29, 2023. This is the third consecutive year the two teams have met. Briarwood leads the standings 4-2.
Next week: Both teams are on the road next week. Briarwood travels to Homewood while Oak Mountain plays at Pelham.
Chelsea vs Mobile Christian
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Chelsea High School
Last season: Chelsea finished the season 2-8; Mobile Christian finished 15-0 and won the Class 3A state championship.
What you should see: Chelsea drops back down to Class 6A this fall and looks to be much more competitive. The Hornets have a lot of new faces to combine with some experienced players, and they’ll be tested right off the bat against the defending Class 3A champions. Mobile Christian moves up to 4A this year and heads north to face a big school.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between Chelsea and Mobile Christian.
Next week: Chelsea stays home and plays Wetumpka. Mobile Christian has a free date next week.
Homewood at John Carroll
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Pat Sullivan Field
Last season: Homewood finished the season 6-5 and reached the first round of the state playoffs; John Carroll finished the season 9-3 and reached the second round of the playoffs.
What you should see: Homewood and John Carroll renew the Battle of Lakeshore once again to open the 2024 season. In last year’s season opener, John Carroll pulled off the upset in one of the top games of the entire season. Homewood started 0-3 before ending the year on a run while John Carroll put together a dream season. Homewood returns much of its lineup from last fall, while the Cavaliers replace many key players.
Last meeting: John Carroll beat Homewood 36-31 on August 25, 2023. It was the Cavs’ first win over Homewood since 1999. Homewood leads the overall standings with a record of 26-7-2.
Next week: Homewood hosts Briarwood while John Carroll travels south to play at St. Michael.
Mountain Brook near Demopolis
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Demopolis High School
Last season: Mountain Brook finished the season 8-4 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs; Demopolis finished the season 10-3 and advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals.
What you should see: Mountain Brook has won at least eight games each year for the past eight years and will look to start the 2024 season on the right foot against a strong Class 5A opponent. The Spartans flew somewhat under the radar in the preseason and will head west to play Demopolis to start the year. The Spartans have only a handful of returning starters, so many of the names that will soon be announced will be making their first appearance.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between Mountain Brook and Demopolis.
Next week: Mountain Brook hosts Parker while Demopolis travels to Jackson.
Clay-Chalkville vs. Hueytown
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Cougar Stadium
Last season: Clay-Chalkville finished the season 14-0 and won the Class 6A state championship; Hueytown finished the season 8-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs.
What you should see: Clay-Chalkville looks to get the season off to a good start with a rematch of the 2021 Class 6A state championship game. The Cougars have a new quarterback, a new coach and other new faces in the starting lineups.
Last meeting: Clay-Chalkville defeated Hueytown 17-3 on Sept. 1, 2023. The Cougars have won all four meetings between the programs, all of which have occurred since 2021.
Next week: Clay-Chalkville visits Legion Field to face Ramsay next Thursday, while Hueytown takes an early at-large date.
Hewitt-Trussville vs. JAG
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Hewitt-Trussville Stadium
Last season: Hewitt-Trussville finished 9-4 and advanced to the Class 7A semifinals; JAG went 0-10 last fall.
What you should see: Hewitt-Trussville starts the season against JAG, coached by former Alabama running back Roy Upchurch. The Huskies will have a new face at quarterback in Noah Dobbins as he gets the chance to run the offense. This seems like a great opportunity for Hewitt-Trussville to work in new faces on both sides of the ball.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between Hewitt-Trussville and JAG
Next week: Hewitt-Trussville will face Gadsden City while JAG has an open date.
Vestavia Hills v. Carver-Montgomery
- Date: Friday, 23 August
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Cramton Bowl
Last season: Vestavia Hills finished the season 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs; Carver finished the season 7-4 and advanced to the first round of the playoffs.
What you should see: Vestavia Hills and Carver face off in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic at the Cramton Bowl. The Rebels are coming off a nine-win season but will have to replace many starters on both sides of the ball. Carver has a new head coach in Bobby Carr but many players with Division I scholarship offers. If the Rebels want to have a chance here, they will likely have to pull out all the stops and play at a high level.
Last meeting: Carver beat Vestavia Hills 22-21 on October 23, 1981. The Rebels won in 1980, which were the only two times the two teams faced each other.
Next week: Vestavia Hills travels to Auburn while Carver faces Percy Julian.
Historical context courtesy of AHSFHS.org.
