Under the Lights football gameday.
Friday night means gameday for the local high school football teams, and Under the Lights is back to cover Football Friday.
Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park open the season on Friday night with non-region matchups.
For updates throughout Friday night and all season, follow sports editor Kyle Parmley on X (@KyleParmley) and the Under the Lights social media accounts (Facebook and X).
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Briarwood at Moody
- Date: Friday, Aug. 21
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Moody High School
Last season: Moody set school records with 13 wins and 574 points scored, winning the state championship. Briarwood finished the season 7-6, advancing to the quarterfinals and falling to Moody, 51-21.
What to watch: This is a homecoming of sorts on both sidelines. Moody has a new head coach in Kyle Tatum, who spent the last few seasons as a Briarwood assistant before taking over for Jake Ganus, who left for Pell City after leading the Blue Devils to their best season in program history. Briarwood, under longtime coach Matthew Forester, will be looking to get started on the right foot after losing its season opener the last four years.
Last meeting: Moody beat Briarwood 51-21 in the 2025 playoffs. Briarwood has won 11 of the 17 meetings between the two programs.
Next week: Briarwood hosts Homewood, while Moody remains at home to play Helena.
Chelsea at Southside-Gadsden
- Date: Friday, Aug. 21
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Southside High School
Last season: Chelsea finished 5-5, placing fifth in Class 6A, Region 3 and missing the playoffs. Southside went 3-7.
What to watch: Chelsea has a new leader in Tad Niblett, a 33-year coaching veteran who takes over following Todd Cassity’s retirement from Alabama. Niblett spent the last four seasons as offensive coordinator at Gainesville (Georgia) High School and has deep roots in the Birmingham area, having helped Hoover win four state titles as an assistant under his brother, Josh Niblett.
Last meeting: Chelsea beat Southside-Gadsden 43-10 in 2015. Chelsea has won both meetings between the two programs.
Next week: Chelsea hosts Gardendale, while Southside travels to Hokes Bluff.
Oak Mountain vs. Pelham
- Date: Friday, Aug. 21
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Heardmont Park
Last season: Oak Mountain finished 4-6, placing seventh in Class 6A, Region 3. Pelham finished 4-7, falling in overtime to Hueytown in the first round of the playoffs.
What to watch: Oak Mountain has a new head coach in Jason Kervin, who previously served as strength and conditioning coordinator at Pelham and spent much of his career as an offensive coordinator at Hoover, helping the Bucs to six state championships. Kervin is looking to guide the Eagles to their first playoff berth since 2021. Pelham enters year two under Ross Newton, who guided a one-win team to a four-win season and a playoff appearance in his first year at the helm.
Last meeting: Oak Mountain beat Pelham 30-29 in 2025 on the final play of the game. Pelham holds a 12-8 edge in the series.
Next week: Oak Mountain hosts Buckhorn, while Pelham hosts Wenonah.
Spain Park at Sparkman
- Date: Friday, Aug. 21
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Sparkman High School
Last season: Spain Park finished 9-3, falling in the second round of the playoffs to Saraland. Sparkman finished 5-6, falling in the first round of the playoffs.
What to watch: Spain Park returns to Class 6A, Region 3 under fifth-year coach Tim Vakakes, who has led the Jaguars to the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Spain Park will look to get the season started on a high note, with an offense headlined by new starting quarterback Nash Davis.
Last meeting: Spain Park beat Sparkman 48-21 in 2025. Spain Park has won four of the five meetings between the two programs.
Next week: Spain Park hosts Bessemer City, while Sparkman remains at home to play Austin.
