The oldest football rivalry in the area headlines this week’s football schedule: Russellville versus Deshler. This is one of the most storied rivalries in the state – not just in northwest Alabama.

Russellville will be on the road again this week, as will all the county schools. Phil Campbell will travel to Lamar County, Tharptown will travel to Phillips, and Vina will open the season on the road at Addison. Red Bay is off this week.

Russellville (0-1) at Deshler (1-0)

Russellville will try to rebound this week from a season–opening loss to Grissom.

Russellville and Deshler have played 95 times, with the Golden Tigers holding a slim edge in the series 46-45-4.

Historically, this series is about as good as it gets. The Golden Tigers have dominated the series most recently. The two teams have played each other consecutively since 1988, with Russellville winning 23 and losing 11.

Russellville has won four straight – one of those a COVID forfeiture. Two of those four have been overtime games, including a double overtime win in 2018.

The Golden Tigers won this past year 45-37.

Deshler beat Madison Academy 42-35 to open the season this past week.

Phil Campbell (1-0) at Lamar County (1-0)

The Bobcats and Bulldogs have played each other 20 times, with Lamar County on the winning side 13-7. The Bobcats lost to the Bulldogs this past year 7-0.

Phil Campbell is coming off a big rivalry win over Hackleburg. Lamar County is coming off a big rivalry win, too, beating South Lamar 42-26.

Tharptown (1-0) at Phillips (0-0)

Tharptown will take to the road Aug. 26, traveling to Bear Creek to play Phillips.

Tharptown got the win this past year thanks to a COVID forfeit by the Bears. The Wildcats beat the Bears on the field in 2020, 12-6.

Tharptown is 4-9 historically against Phillips.

Vina (0-0) at Addison (0-1)

Vina’s road opener Aug. 26 is by no stretch an easy one. Vina hasn’t played the traditionally big and strong Addison Bulldogs since 2011, when the Red Devils lost 67-6.

The two teams have matched up 19 times, with Vina winning three of those meetings.

The Bulldogs lost their season opener to Winston County 29-8.