Looking at football week ahead with a new rivalry
This week features two main storylines: the beginning of a new football rivalry as Tharptown hosts Belgreen and Vina takes on Phillips, potentially opening the season 2-0. Russellville opens area play with Lawrence County. Phil Campbell hosts Vinemont, and Red Bay hosts a relatively new team — University Charter.
Tharptown (0-2) hosts Belgreen (1-1). This will likely be the start of a new rivalry. This is the first year of varsity football for the Bulldogs. They are 1-1, beating Shoals Christian, 20-6, and losing last week to Sumiton Christian, 49-18. Tharptown is off to a tough start losing 68-0 to Danville and 34-0 to Waterloo last week.
Vina (1-0) travels to Phillips (0-1). Vina opened their season with a five-overtime win over Brindlee Mountain 52-44. Vina lost this game last year, 14-0. The Red Devils’ last win in the series came in 2019. Phillips leads the series, 46-10. Phillips opened their season last week with a 47-0 loss to Marion County.
Russellville (1-1) travels to Lawrence County (2-0). Russellville lost last week to Mars Hill, 28-14, after opening their season with a win over Deshler, 35-21. The Golden Tigers travel to Moulton to take on Lawrence County. The Red Devils opened the season, 2-0, beating East Lawrence, 52-12, and Rogers, 27-7. Russellville owns this series with a record of 26-5, and won last year, 37-7.
Phil Campbell (0-1) hosts Vinemont (2-0). Phil Campbell and Vinemont have faced each other only twice, in 2000 and 2001. The Bobcats won both games. Phil Campbell got into a shootout with Hamilton last week, losing 55-40 and posting close to 500 yards of total offense but giving up more than 550 yards. Vinemont has opened the season with two wins, beating Falkville and Southeastern.
Red Bay (0-1) hosts University Charter (0-1). Red Bay opened their season with a 50-32 loss to Lamar County. University Charter, based out of Livingston, played their first season in 2022. The Trail Blazers finished 5-6 and lost to Elba 70-8 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. They lost their opener to Hubbertville, 36-8.
