Friday football

Briarwood Christian and Chelsea didn't play regular-season games last week, so when they meet Friday night at 7 p.m. it will be true season-opening games. Briarwood returns starting quarterback Walker Lott, a dual threat running and passing. Chelsea features a strong running game with A.J. Jones and Zalon Reynolds. Quarterbacks Matt Marquet and Chase Wilson may share signal-calling duties. 

Oak Mountain opens the season at Hillcrest of Tuscaloosa. The Eagles think they should have a strong running game with quarterback Warren Shader and running backs Harold Shader and Josh Gaines. They'll have to take to the air some to keep the Patriots' defense honest.

Class 7A No. 4 Spain Park relied on defense and special teams to beat Austin 5-3 in the Jaguars' opener last week. The Jags visit Hueytown, which upset Class 6A No. 10 Bessemer City 20-7 with a punishing performance on offense and defense.