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 are all in action on Friday night to begin region play, with Oak Mountain and Spain Park facing each other.
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 (2-0) vs. Westminster Christian (0-2)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Lions Pride Stadium
Last week: Briarwood beat Homewood 17-14; Westminster Christian fell to Douglas 47-14.
What to watch: Briarwood enters its Private-AA, Region 2 opener at 2-0 after John Campbell's 97-yard kickoff return sparked a win over Homewood, snapping a two-game skid in that series. Briarwood has impressed with two impressive wins to begin the season and now begins region play as one of the top teams in its classification. Westminster Christian is off to an 0-2 start and looking for its first win of the season.
Last meeting: Briarwood and Westminster Christian have never met.
Next week: Briarwood travels to Lee-Scott Academy, while Westminster Christian hosts Madison Academy.
Chelsea (0-2) at Calera (1-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Ricky M. Cairns Memorial Stadium
Last week: Gardendale beat Chelsea 37-15; Calera had an open date.
What to watch: Chelsea opens Class 5A, Region 4 play still searching for its first win under new coach Tad Niblett, having dropped its first two games. But the slate clears for region play, giving the Hornets new life this week. Calera, under coach Scott Rials, opened its season with a win over Wenonah before an idle week and enters region play fresh.
Last meeting: Chelsea beat Calera 42-25 in 2025. Calera has won 22 of the 38 meetings between the two programs.
Next week: Chelsea hosts Ramsay; Calera hosts Chilton County.
Oak Mountain (1-1) at Spain Park (2-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Jaguar Stadium
Last week: Oak Mountain beat Buckhorn 38-14; Spain Park beat Bessemer City 35-0.
What to watch: Both teams enter their Class 6A, Region 3 opener off wins last week. Oak Mountain won the first game of the Jason Kervin tenure last week, as the Eagles ran away with a win over Buckhorn. Spain Park is off to a 2-0 start and surged to a shutout win last week against a solid Bessemer City team.
Last meeting: Spain Park beat Oak Mountain 42-17 in 2023. Spain Park has won 15 of the 22 meetings between the two programs.
Next week: Oak Mountain travels to Vestavia Hills, while Spain Park hosts Thompson.
