After a week or two of non-region contests to start the season, teams will begin region play this week with an eye on earning one of four spots in the playoffs in November.

The Phil Campbell Bobcats have opened the season with two consecutive come-from-behind wins, and they will host Elkmont Thursday – a team that hasn’t come close to winning a region game the past two years. Elkmont opened the season with a 47-20 loss to Sheffield before beating Brindlee Mountain 20-16 this past week.

The Red Bay Tigers had an open week to prepare for their first region contest this week, taking on Lexington. The Golden Bears opened the season with a 34-0 shutout of Colbert Heights before losing a close one to Pisgah 29-28 this past week. Red Bay is 10-14 against the Golden Bears and lost 34-6 last year.

The Russellville Golden Tigers find themselves in unfamiliar territory, opening the season with two losses. RHS should be able to right the ship this week in a region opener against Lawrence County. The Golden Tigers are 24-5 against the Red Devils, including a 43-0 shutout this past year. LCHS opened the season with a 24-6 win over Danville before being shut out by Guntersville 55-0.

Tharptown lost on the road this past week to Phillips, 37-22. The schedule gets infinitely tougher for the next three weeks, as the Wildcats open region play with Tanner. The Wildcats haven’t faced the Rattlers since 2019, when they lost 39-3. The Rattlers opened the season with a 54-30 loss to Class 3A Lauderdale County but beat Class 5A Mae Jemison 20-6 Friday.

After suffering a 69-0 season opening loss to Addison, Vina gets a week off before opening region play next week hosting Shoals Christian.