1. Miami Central, Florida at Hoover from Buccaneer Stadium, Hoover High School, Hoover, Ala. (September 23, 2014) This national television game for ESPN will be a good one. Both teams come into the season ranked nationally in the top 10 of high school football. USA Today has Hoover ranked 7th and Central 8th in the nation. Both teams are coming off state championships. Both teams come into this game loaded with defensive players. The Rockets are led by safety Calvin Brewton on defense. Brewton is a Florida State early commitment. The Bucs are led by defensive end Christian Bell (Alabama commitment) and Darrell Williams (Auburn commitment) on defense. The team that gets the turnovers on defense, will get the win in this game.
2. Vestavia Hills at Hoover from the Hoover Met, Hoover, Ala. (October 17, 2014) - These two teams played each other in the 2013 AHSAA Semi-finals game and it was a classic. Hoover defeated Vestavia Hills 31-28 , a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jack Hutcheson to Leonard Wood with 3:00 left in the game was the difference. That same combination is back for the Bucs. With wide receivers Wood, Justin Johnson and Alex Elam, the Bucs wideouts are going to be a problem for opposing secondaries. In the run game, Hoover has one of the best backs in 7A football in Braddrick Shaw. Vestavia Hills Head coach Buddy Anderson brings 308 wins to start the season. Quarterback Landon Crowder leads the offense and brings a lot of needed experience to the Rebels. Christian Palmer and Carter Jacobs will be the run game and will be keys in this big game.
3. Hoover at Spain Park from the Spain Park Stadium at Bob Finley FIeld, Hoover, Ala. (October 2, 2014) - These two teams haven't played each other since 2011. Spain Park has never beaten Hoover on the field in 12 tries. With this game being moved to Thursday night, their should be plenty of electricity in the air. Spain Park quarterback Mason Duke will lead the Jaguars offense and will need to keep turnovers to a minimum and not give the Bucs defense opportunities in creating big plays. Defensive backs Michael Jackson and AJ Smiley lead the way for the Jags defense.
4. Opelika at Auburn from Duck Samford Stadium, Auburn, Alabama (August 29, 2014) - These two teams have been rivals for many years and even though they are not in the same classification this season, it will still be one of our top games of the season. Opelika leads the series by one win 43-42 and their has been three ties. The Bulldogs have Matthew Christian at quarterback. The Bulldogs QB is coming off an injury to Smiths Station last season but is good to go for 2014. Opelika will have a salty defense again this year. DE Quandeski Whitlow, OLB Roy Yancey and DL Jared Gentry lead the Bulldogs defense. For Auburn, defensive Griffin Riggs anchors the Tigers defense. Wide receiver WR Alex Evans can make some big plays for the offense.
5. Vestavia Hills at Shades Valley from Frank A. Nix Memorial Athletic Complex, Irondale, Alabama (October 31, 2014) - These two teams played to a 41-14 win for Vestavia Hills last year. The Rebels did a great job playing a very physical game against a young Shades Valley team. This season, the Mounties know what it takes to defeat a big time program like Vestavia Hills in 7A. Look for Shades Valley to get Keith Mixon into the game. The Rebels did a great job of keeping his touches limited last year. Defensive lineman Daron Payne looks to impose his will in the Rebels run game.
6.Hoover at Colquitt County from Mack Tharpe Stadium, Moultrie, Georgia (August 29, 2014) - Rush Propst and Colquitt County came to the Hoover Met last year and came out on the short end by a 24-10 score. Propst commented after the game, "those kids know how to win football games and they know how to execute." The bad thing for Propst in the rematch game is a lot of those same kids are back this season. Collquitt County has some good talent this season. Linebacker Quintin Hampton, liinebacker Tamarcia Reese, running back Sihiem King and lineman Cade Blackburn look to turn the tide for the Packers against the Bucs.
7. Bob Jones at Florence from Braly Municipal Stadium, Florence, Alabama (September 26, 2014) - Bob Jones has won eight of the 10 games these two teams have played. The Patriots are on a six game winning streek and won a close 13-7 game last season. In that game, the Patriots defense forced three turnovers and that was the difference for the Bob Jones win. Bob Jones returns quarterback Jeremy Frye who can run or throw the football down the field. Defensive back Jerek Taylor leads the Patriots secondary. For Florence, Keaton Anderson and Darius Smith will try to shut down the Bob Jones run game.
8. Daphne at Spanish Fort from On The Hill Stadium, Spanish Fort, Alabama (October 17, 2014) - Spanish Fort leads this series 2-0. Both games have been close and look for another close game this season. Spanish Fort comes into the season #1 6A and the Toros finished 2nd in the National Select 7-on-7 this summer in Hoover. Quarterback Tyler Johnston leads the Toros which has a 24 game winning streak. Running back Trey Shabel along with wide receivers Kristian Cotton and LaDerrell Pettway will help the Toro offense. For Daphne, running back T.J. Reed & Zach Lee will lead the ground attack. Linebacker Khael Sanford is a standout at linebacker for the defense.
9. McGill-Toolen at Foley from Ivan Jones Stadium, Foley, Alabama (October 31, 2014) - McGill-Tollen and Foley are tied with 14 wins apiece in one tie in 29 games played. This Region 1 battle could decide the region championship. McGill-Toolen has a new Head coach this season with Caleb Ross. Ross was the offensive coordinator and a very successful one with the Yellow Jackets. McGill-Toolen will have to rely on running back Spencer Ruggs until a new quarterback gains some experience. Foley looks to make some waves on offense with quarterback Tyler Cameron. Inside linebacker Jalen Henry anchors the defense.
10.T Spain Park at Vestavia Hills from Vestavia Hills Stadium, Vestavia Hills, Alabama (October 10, 2014) - These two top 7A schools look to make a run deep in the 7A playoffs this season. Vestavia Hills have won nine out of the 11 meetings but haven't played since 2011. Both teams are well coached and have talent on both sides of the ball this year. If Hoover trips up in the area, this is a huge game in the area for the region title. Spain Park brings in Bart Sessions from McGill-Toolen to help with the Jaguars defense. Sessions was a very successful Head coach at McGill-Tollen. Sessions was 34-5 with the Yellow Jackets.
10.T Clay-Chalkville at Shades Valley from Frank A. Nix Memorial Athletic Complex, Irondale, Alabama (October 10, 2014) - The winner of this game could have the inside track to the region title. Clay-Chalkville has a lot of talent returning from last season. Kendall Jones, a Mississippi State commitment, will anchor the defense. Kameron Prewitt roams the secondary. On offense, Terrelle West will get the bulk of the runs for Cougars. A lot of speed at running back for both teams. This could be a high scoring game for both teams. QB Rashad Louie can break open a game by himself. He had a six touchdown game last season.
