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Five Covington County teams will take the field during the first full week of the 2023 football season on Friday, Sept. 1.

Andalusia vs. Anniston
Andalusia (1-0) will host Anniston (1-0) in a battle of the Bulldogs and a rematch from last year’s third-round playoff contest. The game will also serve as senior night for AHS.

The two teams played for the first time in 2022. Andalusia overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit at Anniston and rallied for an exciting 35-28 win.

Both teams began the season with wins last week. Andalusia routed rival Opp on the road, 42-8, while Anniston earned a 38-22 home win against Walter Wellborn.

Florala at Red Level
Florala (0-0) will visit Red Level (0-0) as both teams open the regular season with a 1A Region 2 matchup. The game will also serve as senior night for RLS.

This year’s contest will be the 69th all-time meeting of the two rivals. The Wildcats lead the overall series 40-28 and enter the outing with a six-game winning streak against the Tigers.

Jordan Cantrell returns for his second season at FHS and is in his tenth season overall. Kenny Skipper heads into his seventh season as a head coach, all with his alma mater RLS.

The Wildcats did not take the field last week, while the Tigers fell to Straughn on the road in a preseason jamboree, 42-7.

Florala hosted the game last year and came away with a 34-19 win against Red Level.

Opp vs. New Brockton
Opp (0-1) will play its second straight home game and begin 3A Region 2 play with a visit from New Brockton (0-1).

This will be the fourth contest between the two teams in a series that first started in 2020. The Bobcats have a 3-0 lead over the Gamecocks as both schools look to rebound from tough season-opening losses. OHS fell at home to Andalusia, 42-8, in the debut of new head coach Matt Brunson. NBHS dropped a road matchup at Elba, 35-8, in the first game for new head coach Jason Barnett.

Opp picked up a 41-20 win at New Brockton in 2022.

Straughn at Pike County
Straughn (0-0) prepares to officially open its 50th season of football in the modern era with a trip to Pike County (0-0).

This season’s game will be the tenth all-time matchup and also serve as the 3A Region 2 opener for both schools. The Bulldogs have a 7-2 lead in the series dating back to 2002.

Ashley Kilcrease will lead SHS in his third season at the helm of the program and is in his eighth season overall. Mark Hurt returns to lead PCHS for the second straight year.

Both teams played preseason jamborees last week. The Tigers defeated Red Level at home, 42-7. The Bulldogs dropped a road contest at Charles Henderson, 48-7.

Straughn overcame a 13-0 deficit in the second half and knocked off Pike County in a home thriller last year, 20-19.

Pleasant Home (1-0) has a bye week.