Matchups that may have big implications

Here's a look at some of the more noteworthy high school football games in The Gadsden Times' area in 2019.

Aug. 22

Coosa Christian at Westbrook Christian

The first game of the year featuring two county schools. Both are breaking in new coaches and have been to the playoffs at least two straight seasons. The Warriors won last year's meeting 35-6.

Aug. 23

Etowah at Gadsden City

Last year's game was one of the biggest in the county in years. This year, it may be even more interesting - former Blue Devil star De'Rickey Wright now plays for the Titans, and each team has a new coach.

Aug. 29

Southside at Hokes Bluff

This one's always fun and should be a competitive showdown. The Eagles have won two in a row in the series; the Panthers are coming off their deepest playoff run since 2013's state semifinal appearance.

Sept. 6

Gadsden City at Sparkman

First region road game of the Ali Smith era, and against a team the Titans could be battling for a playoff spot to boot. A home loss to the Senators helped keep Gadsden City out of the 2018 postseason.

Sardis at Southside

Just a game between county foes that also could have long-reaching implications in terms of the postseason. Last year's edition was a 14-10 nailbiter that Southside won with a late fourth-quarter touchdown.

Sept. 13

West End at Westbrook Christian

This one could be a real measuring stick for each team - the Warriors are hoping to be in the region title hunt, while the Patriots look to rebound from a 1-9 mark in 2018. Westbrook beat West End last year 62-35.

Randolph Co. at Piedmont

One of these two teams has reached the state championship game every year since 2015. It wouldn't surprise anybody if that streak continues in 2019. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers twice last year, once in the state semis.

Sept. 20

Bob Jones at Gadsden City

The Patriots have their eyes on a possible region title; the Titans want to spoil that hope and make a playoff push in the process. Should Gadsden City win this one, good things could be ahead.

Southside at Etowah

When is this game NOT important ? It being region game now only intensifies an already fierce rivalry. Etowah won 42-0 last year; Southside used the loss to motivate a run to the second round of the playoffs.

Westbrook Christian at Ohatchee

This one could end up being the game that decides the region champion, or at least which team will host a playoff game in the first round. The Indians edged the Warriors 37-30 in 2018 and later reached the 2A quarterfinals.

Sept. 27

Hokes Bluff at Glencoe

As always, possibly Etowah County's biggest rivalry. The Eagles have won three games in a row in the series. The Yellow Jackets are rebuilding; a win here would be a monumental step forward.

Oct. 4

Gadsden City at James Clemens

This one's basically the same as the Titans' Sept. 20 game against Bob Jones - a showdown with a very good region foe. It also showcases how tough Gadsden City's region slate is - it visits three of the region's heavyweights.

Alexandria at Sardis

The Lions very likely will be playoff contenders. However, if they want to host a first-round game in the postseason, they likely will have to hold serve here at home against the Valley Cubs.

Falkville at Coosa Christian

The Blue Devils were the Region 7 champions last year and the only region team to win a playoff game. Should Coosa get revenge for last year's 70-27 defeat, it could be ready to aim for the top of the region.

Oct. 11

Westbrook Christian at Gaston

By this point, the Warriors could be fighting for a home playoff game in the first round. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are hoping to be back in the playoff mix; a win here, and they probably will be.

Sardis at Boaz; Southside at Alexandria

Expect playoff consequences galore here. All four teams should be in the postseason mix, along with Etowah, and the winners here will take one step closer to playing after Nov. 1.

Oct. 18

Alexandria at Etowah; Boaz at Southside

Only a week later, another pair of huge matchups in 5A, Region 6. There's no telling how things will have shaken out up to this point, but it'd be beyond stunning if there weren't major postseason implications here as well.

Oct. 25

Grissom at Gadsden City

It seems like Gadsden City's playoff chances have come down to the last week of region play for a few years now. If that's once again the case, then of course this one'll be big.

Hokes Bluff at Jacksonville

Last year, Hokes Bluff looked like the better team, but Jacksonville hung around long enough to squeeze out a surprise win. Don't be shocked if this one's also for the region title, and the visiting Eagles will remember 2018's result.

Nov. 1

Glencoe at West End

The playoff race already will be decided by this point, but it's two county teams facing off, and it should be a good measuring stick for where the two programs are at the end of a year where each expects to see some improvement from 2018.