By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
No. 3 Fyffe @ No. 5 Geraldine
Class 3A, Region 8
7 p.m., Coolidge-Isbell Field, Geraldine
Sand Mountain’s marquee matchup of the week — and perhaps the entire regular season — takes place in Geraldine on Friday night.
The No. 3 Fyffe Red Devils (7-1, 6-0) travel to face the No. 5 Geraldine Bulldogs (7-1, 6-0) with the Class 3A, Region 8 championship on the line. The winner not only captures the region crown but also secures a No. 1 seed for the state playoffs.
Fyffe, the defending region champion, is chasing its 10th straight region title and 21st overall under head coach Paul Benefield. Geraldine, led by Michael Davis, is seeking its first region title of his tenure.
The DeKalb County rivals have a storied history — Fyffe leads the series 46-35-2 — but Geraldine has won two of the last four meetings. Fyffe claimed last year’s game 42-7, while Geraldine won 17-6 in 2023 and 20-19 in 2021.
Fyffe has reeled off seven straight wins since a season-opening loss to Class 1A No. 2 Maplesville, outscoring opponents 389-146. Geraldine enters on a three-game winning streak, its only loss coming to Class 5A Boaz. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 353-110 this season.
Expect a hard-nosed battle in the trenches between two punishing rushing attacks.
Albertville @ James Clemens
Class 7A, Region 4
7 p.m., Madison City Schools Stadium, Madison
The Albertville Aggies (1-7, 1-5) travel to face James Clemens (4-4, 4-2) for their region finale Friday in Madison.
Albertville looks to rebound from back-to-back shutout losses to Huntsville (34-0) and Bob Jones (48-0). The Aggies will try to spoil the Jets’ playoff picture — James Clemens is part of a three-way tie for second in Region 4 with Austin and Sparkman.
Albertville is 0-5 all-time against James Clemens, including last year’s 42-6 loss.
Boaz vs. Arab
Class 5A, Region 8
7 p.m., L.F. Corley Jr. Stadium, Boaz
The Boaz Pirates (6-2, 3-2) host county and region rival Arab (4-4, 3-2) Friday in a matchup that will determine playoff seeding.
The winner earns the No. 3 seed and will face a No. 2 seed in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, while the loser will take the No. 4 seed and draw a No. 1 seed.
Boaz is coming off a 34-17 loss at No. 9 Guntersville, while Arab fell 28-7 to Scottsboro, the 2025 Region 8 champion.
Friday marks the 63rd meeting between the programs. Arab leads the series 44-18-1, though Boaz won last year’s meeting 31-21 after Arab had taken five straight.
No. 9 Guntersville @ Douglas
Class 5A, Region 8
7 p.m., Arthur Jarvis Stadium, Douglas
The Douglas Eagles (5-3, 2-3) host No. 9 Guntersville (7-1, 4-1) in a county rivalry game Friday night.
Douglas, which was eliminated from playoff contention, is coming off a 49-22 win over Brewer. Guntersville secured the Region 8 runner-up spot last week with a 34-17 win against Boaz, ensuring a first-round home playoff game.
Guntersville leads the all-time series 20-3 and has won the last 10 meetings, outscoring Douglas 949-134 over 23 matchups. Douglas’ last win came in 2012 (20-14).
Sardis @ Brewer
Class 5A, Region 8
7 p.m., James Tucker Stadium, Somerville
Sardis (1-8, 0-5) travels to Somerville to close its season against Brewer (2-6, 1-4).
The Lions are looking to end a seven-game skid after a 41-39 loss to No. 4 Fairview. Brewer fell 49-22 to Douglas last week.
Sardis is 3-0 all-time against Brewer, including last year’s 62-26 win. A victory Friday would be a welcome finish to a tough, emotional season for the Lions.
Asbury @ Whitesburg Christian
Class 3A, Region 8
7 p.m., Patriot Stadium, Walnut Grove
Asbury (0-9, 0-6) wraps up its season on the road Friday against region opponent Whitesburg Christian (3-5, 2-4).
The Rams are hoping to snap a 26-game losing streak, the longest in the program’s 10-year history, after last week’s 47-6 loss to Sylvania.
Whitesburg Christian has won all three previous meetings, including a 62-0 victory in 2024.
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Whitesburg Christian Stadium, Huntsville
West End vs. Southeastern
Class 2A, Region 6
7 p.m., Patriot Stadium, Walnut Grove
West End (2-7, 0-5) closes its season at home Friday against Southeastern (6-2, 4-1).
The Patriots are coming off a 55-0 loss at No. 2 Coosa Christian. Southeastern has won five straight, including a 13-8 win over Cold Springs last week.
West End is 0-5 all-time against the Mustangs, most recently falling 34-13 in 2024.
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Patriot Stadium, Walnut Grove
