By Erik Harris, sports editor
Week 1 of the high school football season features four matchups across The Tribune’s coverage area. Each game is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.
Pinson Valley at Shades Valley
First-year Pinson Valley head coach Sam Shade will look for his first win, as the No. 6 Indians (0-1) dropped a tough one to Class 7A No. 2-ranked Hewitt-Trussville last week.
Shades Valley also comes in at 0-1 thanks to a 37-19 loss to Clay-Chalkville on opening night. The eighth-ranked Cougars found success on the ground at Frank A. Nix Memorial Athletic Complex — Edward Ousley went for 138 yards on 12 carries — and Pinson Valley will attempt to do the same with recent Virginia Tech commit Kenji Christian.
Springville at St. Clair County
Head coach Michael Graben and his Springville Tigers will open up the 2020 season on the road at St. Clair Stadium against the Fighting Saints.
St. Clair County will also be playing its season opener this week.
Springville broke a seven-game losing streak to the Fighting Saints with a 51-6 victory last October.
Center Point vs. Fairfield
George Bates will look for his first 2-0 start in three years as head coach at Center Point this Friday night.
His Eagles, following a 26-19 win over Wenonah on Aug. 21, will open up the home portion of their schedule with a visit from Fairfield (0-0) tomorrow night.
Sophomore quarterback Troy Bruce made plays in his first start under center, providing touchdown runs of 57 and 22 yards. I expect him to build on that this week in his home debut.
Leeds vs. Pell City
A last-second touchdown pass doomed Leeds (0-1) last week at Sylacauga.
The Green Wave will look to bounce back tomorrow night at Homer Smiles Field against Pell City (0-0). This contest will renew a matchup that has not been played since 1989.
The overall series record is even at 16-16-4.
Hewitt-Trussville (2-0) and Clay-Chalkville (2-0) both earn forfeit victories this week. Moody is currently in the first week of a two-week quarantine due to positive COVID-19 cases within the program.