Tuscaloosa area high school football predictions for Week 1 games
With week zero behind us, the Alabama high school football season is officially in full swing. Here is a look at some of the top Tuscaloosa area games with predictions entering the second week.
Game of the Week
American Christian Academy (0-1) at Tuscaloosa Academy (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
ACA goes on the road for the first time this season as it looks to get its first win and give TA its first loss. This will be the second-straight matchup between these teams, with ACA winning 35-0 last year.
The Knights are coming off a 48-0 win over Holy Spirit from Class 1A and are looking for the first 2-0 start since entering the AHSAA last season. In the win last week, quarterback Preston Lancaster was 15-for-22 and had six touchdowns, and Nic Evans had four carries for 34 yards and a score.
The Patriots are coming off a 29-20 loss in their home opener to Demopolis, but don't get lost in the score. The Patriots had a strong showing against the Tigers, especially once they got their momentum rolling. Look for ACA to come out strong Friday night as it looks to continue with the dominance it has had over the past five years.
Anna's pick: ACA 24, TA 14
Bessemer City at Tuscaloosa County (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
This game marks the 39th meeting between TCHS and Bessemer City, and the Wildcats are looking for their second straight win over the Purple Tigers after a 28-7 victory last year. Bessemer City is coming off a 35-12 win over Woodlawn last week in its season-opener.
After a close game to Central last week, where Junior Solis kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to give the Wildcats their first win, expect TCHS to come out strong this week against Bessemer City in its home opener. The Wildcats are looking to prove they are a Class 7A playoff contender, and this week could be the week they do that.
Anna's pick: TCHS 21, Bessemer City 10
Gordo (1-0) at Bibb County (2-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Gordo looks to even the series against Bibb County at 11-11, and it looks to snap its three-game losing streak to the Choctaws, including a 56-21 loss last year. Both teams are coming off victories in their season-openers, with Gordo defeating Sipsey Valley 46-15 and Bibb County defeating Chilton County 33-21.
The Green Wave had a strong offensive showing last week, led by CJ Lark who had 22 carries for 158 yards and three scores. They look to continue with their dominance this week but will be up against a strong Choctaw team. Both teams are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2021, but only one will come out on top.
Anna's pick: Bibb County 21, Gordo 14
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Hillcrest (1-0) at Pike Road (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
After a long road trip to Senatobia, Mississippi to take on Southaven last Saturday, Hillcrest now makes another long road trip, this time to Pike Road. Pike Road enters the game coming off a 42-14 loss to Marist (Georgia) last week in its season-opener.
This game marks the second match-up between these programs, with Hillcrest winning 28-21 last year at home. Behind its momentum from its big win last week, and a big performance from quarterback Bryson Kimbrough who went 8-for-11 for 197 yards, expect Hillcrest to come out with the same momentum it did against Southaven as it looks to prove its dominance in Class 6A.
Anna's pick: Hillcrest 35, Pike Road 21
Anna's record this season: 2-1
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa high school football: Predictions for Week 1 games
