Five Covington County teams will play in the opening Week of football in 2023 on a Friday, September. 1.
Andalusia against. Anniston
Andalusia (1-0) is scheduled to play Anniston (1-0) for an all-out battle between the Bulldogs and a rematch of the third round playoff game last year. The match will also serve as the final night of senior season for AHS.
The two teams will play at first since 2022. Andalusia defeated a 21-0 halftime gap at Anniston and pulled off an exciting win of 35-28.
Both teams started their season with victories this week. Andalusia beat the rival Opp at home 42-8. Anniston won 38-22 at home victory over Walter Wellborn.
Florala in the Red Level
Florala (0-0) Florala (0-0) will host Red Level (0-0) as both teams begin their regular season by playing an 1A Region 2 game. The match will also serve as a senior night for RLS.
The match this year could be the 69th encounter between the two teams. The Wildcats are leading the overall series, 40-28, and will enter the match with a winning streak of six games in the series against Tigers.
Jordan Cantrell returns for his second year in FHS and is currently in his tenth year overall. Kenny Skipper heads into his seventh season as head coach, all while at his old school RLS.
The Wildcats didn’t take to the field this week, as the Tigers were defeated by Straughn during a jamboree for the preseason 42-7.
Florala was the host last year, and won with a victory of 34-19 against Red Level.
Opp vs. New Brockton
Opp (0-1) plays its third straight home game, and will kick off 3A Region 2 play with New Brockton (0-1). New Brockton (0-1).
This is the fourth game against the teams a series which began in the year 2020. The Bobcats have a 3-0 advantage over the Gamecocks while both schools try to bounce back from a tough start to the season with a loss. OHS lost at home to Andalusia 42-8, marking the first game for new director of football Matt Brunson. NBHS was defeated in a road game against Elba 35-8 in the opening game of the new director of football Jason Barnett.
Opp scored the win by 41-20 in New Brockton in 2022.
Straughn, at Pike County
Straughn (0-0) is preparing to officially kick off the 50th season of football in the modern age by making a visit towards Pike County (0-0).
This year’s game is the tenth time in history that this matchup has been played and will is also an 3A region 2 opening game for the two schools. The Bulldogs have a 7-2 advantage in the series that dates back to 2002.
Ashley Kilcrease will lead SHS in her third season as the head of the school. He is currently in his eighth year overall. Mark Hurt returns to lead PCHS for the second consecutive year.
Both teams participated in preseason jamboreees this week. The Tigers beat Red Level at home, 42-7. The Bulldogs lost a road game against Charles Henderson, 48-7.
Straughn was able to overcome a 13-0 deficit in the second quarter and beat Pike County in a home game last year, 20-19.
Pleasant Home (1-0) has an off week.
The article Andalusia host Anniston in the 2022 quarterfinal match; Florala, Red Level, Straughn begin their seasons was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
