A majority of Alabama high school teams got their 2022 seasons underway last week, and the remainder will begin this Friday night. We take a state-wide look at the approaching Week 1 to identify some top matchups and tell you who we think will win each one.
Thompson vs. Lipscomb Academy (TN)
Falling to Georgia power Buford 38-7 a week ago, defending 7A state champion Thompson is set for yet another high-profile out-of-state matchup this week as the Warriors host Lipscomb Academy, one of the top teams in Tennessee. The Alabama high school Week 1 game will be televised nationally on ESPNU this Saturday. The Mustangs are coming off a 17-7 win over Georgia’s Milton, and they present another tough early-season matchup for one of Alabama’s top teams.
Prediction: Thompson 28, Lipscomb Academy 17
Hueytown vs. Clay-Chalkville
Arguably the biggest in-state Week 1 matchup in Alabama high school football comes with this rematch of the 2021 Class 6A state title game, which itself was a rematch of a 2021 regular-season contest. Those games were nothing short of special as the Golden Gophers and Cougars combined for 185 points, with Clay-Chalkville winning both meetings. A number of big-time players return from those games, including Earl Woods, Jaylen Mbakwe, and Mario Craver.
Prediction: Hueytown 30, Clay-Chalkville 45
Enterprise vs. Auburn
Both the Wildcats and Tigers are coming off wins last week, making this an intriguing 7A-Region 2 early-season matchup. Enterprise rolled to a 41-7 win over Bay (FL) in what was the Wildcats’ first game under new head coach Ben Blackmon, while the Tigers picked up one of the state’s more notable wins a week ago, topping Hoover 17-14.
Prediction: Enterprise 17, Auburn 30
Mountain Brook vs. James Clemens
We mentioned last week that 7A’s James Clemens faced a tough first two weeks against opponents from Class 6A. After falling to Gardendale 42-32 a week ago, things won’t get any easier for the Jets as they travel to face a Mountain Brook team that is one of the best in 6A.
Prediction: Mountain Brook 35, James Clemens 24
Highland Home vs. Ariton
One of the more underrated Alabama high school Week 1 matchups on tap for this Friday night comes in Class 2A, where Highland Home will host Ariton. Both the Squadron and Purple Cats are coming off Week 0 wins and are two teams that could very easily make deep runs in the 2A playoffs later this season.
Prediction: Highland Home 28, Ariton 24
UMS-Wright vs. TR Miller
Both the Bulldogs and Tigers picked up close wins a week ago as TR Miller defeated Hillcrest 22-21, while UMS-Wright topped St. Paul’s Episcopal 21-14. As with each team’s game last week, this showdown between UMS-Wright and TR Miller could be close as well, making it an intriguing week one showdown.
Prediction: UMS-Wright 28, TR Miller 14
McGill-Toolen vs. St. Paul’s Episcopal
In yet another Class 6A matchup, both McGill-Toolen and St. Paul’s Episcopal will be looking for their first wins of the 2022 season. The Yellowjackets fell on the road to Montgomery Catholic 45-21, while the Saints dropped their first game in 6A to UMS-Wright 21-14 at home.
Prediction: McGill-Toolen 21, St. Paul’s Episcopal 24
Blount vs. Spanish Fort
Another Class 6A showdown comes from Blount hosting Spanish Fort in a matchup where both teams are also searching for their first win of the season. Blount fell to Vigor in a low-scoring contest, while the Toros were defeated 34-28 at Fairhope.
Prediction: Blount 17, Spanish Fort 21
Pinson Valley vs. McAdory
The final Week 1 Alabama high school football matchup on this list is yet another 6A showdown, this one featuring McAdory at Pinson Valley. The Yellowjackets picked up a road win at Oxford a week ago, while Pinson Valley is also coming off a road win over 7A’s Florence.
Prediction: Pinson Valley 28, McAdory 17
