By Erik Harris
CLAY – The Clay-Chalkville football team has released its 2016 football schedule.
After reaching its second consecutive Class 6A state championship game last season, Clay-Chalkville will attempt to keep a 15-game home winning streak alive in the season opener against Florence on Aug. 19. The Cougars will finish August with a road test at Bessemer City on the 26th.
From there, head coach Jerry Hood and his new-look roster will say ‘hello’ to September and the start of tough Region 6 slate. Clay-Chalkville opens league play on Sept. 2 when it welcomes Walker to Cougar Stadium.
They will stay in region play for the next two Fridays, starting at Pinson Valley on Sept. 9 before hosting Center Point for Homecoming.
On Sept. 23 Clay-Chalkville will briefly step out of Region 6 play in a home game against James Clemens.
The Cougars will then open a three-game region stretch starting at Gardendale, continuing at home against Carver (Birmingham) and ending on Oct. 14 at Minor. They put an end to regular season play on Oct. 21 at Park Crossing. The opening round of the AHSAA Class 6A state playoffs is scheduled to begin on Nov. 4.
Hood and the Cougars finished 2015 with a 14-1 record.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.