Photo by Richard Force.
Spain Park’s offensive line and Chelsea’s defensive line wait for the snap during a game last fall.
Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park high schools all opened the season in non-region play and now turn to region action in September. Briarwood is in Private-AA, Region 2; Chelsea is in Class 5A, Region 4; and Oak Mountain and Spain Park are both in Class 6A, Region 3.
SEPT. 4
Briarwood hosts Westminster Christian in the first meeting between the two. Chelsea travels to Calera, which holds a 22-15-1 edge dating to 1966, though Chelsea has won three straight, including a 42-25 win last season. Oak Mountain and Spain Park meet each other, with Spain Park holding a 15-7 edge. The two have not met since 2023, when Spain Park won 42-17.
SEPT. 11
Briarwood travels to Lee-Scott Academy in the first meeting between the two. Chelsea hosts Ramsay, also a first meeting. Oak Mountain travels to Vestavia Hills, which holds a 17-5 edge and has won the last four, including a 41-0 win last season. Spain Park hosts Thompson, tied 9-9 all-time. Thompson has won the last seven, including a 55-14 win in 2023, the last time they played.
SEPT. 17-18
Briarwood hosts Madison Academy on Sept. 17, a series it leads 3-2. The teams have not met since 2021, when Briarwood won 41-17. Chelsea hosts Pelham on Sept. 18, a series Pelham leads 12-6, including a 19-7 Panthers win last season. Oak Mountain hosts Hoover, which has swept the series 24-0, including a 48-21 win last season. Spain Park travels to Vestavia Hills, which holds a 15-6 edge and has won the last six, including a 26-8 win in 2023, the last time they played.
SEPT. 25
Briarwood hosts Montgomery Catholic, a non-region game in the first meeting between the programs. Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park are all open.
LOOKING AHEAD
Briarwood finished 7-6 last season, reaching the Class 5A quarterfinals under coach Matthew Forester (51-31 entering the year). Briarwood travels to St. John Paul II on Oct. 1, hosts John Carroll on Oct. 9, hosts Randolph on Oct. 16, travels to American Christian on Oct. 23 and closes with an open date on Oct. 30.
Chelsea finished 5-5 last season and missed the playoffs, with new coach Tad Niblett looking to change that. Chelsea hosts Helena on Oct. 2, travels to Homewood on Oct. 8, travels to Mountain Brook on Oct. 16, hosts Chilton County on Oct. 23 and closes at Bessemer City on Oct. 30.
Oak Mountain finished 4-6 last season. Jason Kervin, previously strength and conditioning coordinator at Pelham and offensive coordinator at Hoover, has taken over the program this season. Oak Mountain hosts Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 2, travels to Prattville on Oct. 9, travels to Tuscaloosa County on Oct. 16, hosts Thompson on Oct. 23 and closes at Homewood on Oct. 30.
Spain Park finished 9-3 last season, reaching the second round of the Class 6A playoffs under coach Tim Vakakes (31-14 at the school). Spain Park travels to Prattville on Oct. 2, hosts Tuscaloosa County on Oct. 8, travels to Hoover on Oct. 16, travels to Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 23 and closes at home against James Clemens on Oct. 29.
