Region play is in full force. The chase for a region title is on. Here are a few tidbits from the first week of football action.

   *  Be sure to catch our podcast this Sunday night as we will be posting a new episode. Also follow the Barber Shop Gurus on Wednesday morning for their latest game analysis and predictions. Monday we will unveil the AHSFHS Power Ratings for every team along with our Top Ten in each classification. Scoring averages will also be posted Sunday.

   *  Do you like offense? If so you enjoyed Friday night as fifteen teams scored at least 60 points in their wins led by West Morgan's 83-53 victory over Brooks. The record for points by both teams is 146 set in 2016 when Childersburg defeated Central Coosa 82-64. The West Morgan game this year will be tied for third place on that list.

   *  Three games topped the 100 point mark by both teams. Along with the West Morgan/Brooks game we had Scottsboro thumping Boaz 63-38 and Clarke Prep outscoring Snook Christian 71-46.

   *  Some games of interest include Vigor coming back from 21 down to beat Citronelle 34-28 in overtime.

   *  Sumer Central beat Greensboro 26-14 to start the 2023 football season 2-0 for the first time in school history.

   *  What about John Carroll? They have started the season 3-0. The Cavaliers could make some noise this year in a very tough Region 5. It's their best start to a season since 1999.

   *  Piedmont is 0-2 but do not push the panic button just yet. The Bulldogs have a tough schedule ahead with Plainview, Ohatchee, Anniston and Westbrook Christian up next. The last time the Bulldogs began a season 0-2 was in 2004. The last time they started 0-3 was back in 1995. They have been ranked 167 weeks in a row since the final poll in 2008. They may fall out of the ASWA rankings this week.

   *  Big games were everywhere it seemed. Thompson beat Vestavia Hills 21-3, Auburn got by Dothan High 28-27 in overtime and Mark Montgomery capitalized on turnovers as they defeated Foley 28-7. Hoover also quieted their doubters with a 28-20 win over Spain Park and Handley defeated Jacksonville 32-24.

   *  Gulf Shores beat #3 Faith Academy 31-16 and this is difficult to believe but it is only the fourth time the Dolphins have defeated a ranked opponent. The last being in 2013. That is 23 straight losses for Gulf Shores to ranked teams. Great win for the program.

   *  If we missed anything I will try to include it in our podcast tomorrow.

   *  Hoover has been ranked by the ASWA for an amazing 262 consecutive polls dating back to the 2000 season. The Bucs are currently 1-2 and travel to Vestavia Hills this week.

   *   The longest winning streak belongs to Saraland who has won their last nine games after drubbing St. Paul's 47-3. Lee-Scott Academy has a 15 games winning streak in the AISA.

   *   Columbia now holds onto the longest losing streak at 74 straight contests. The Eagles were shutout by Muscle Shoals 42-0 and host Hartselle next week. They hold the all-time record for consecutive losses.

   *   American Christian has a streak of 36 consecutive region wins. The Patriots opened region play this week with a 55-0 win over Holt and play a very good Bibb County team this week. Mars Hill (33) and Catholic Montgomery (28) are the next two schools with long region winning streaks.

   *   Barbour County has lost 59 consecutive region games after falling to Luverne 42-0 this week.

   *   The #3 ranked Catholic Montgomery Knights have won 27 straight regular season games. They beat B.T. Washington 56-6 this week.

   *   Saraland has won 18 consecutive home games and take to the road this week against Spanish Fort.

   *   Catholic Montgomery also holds onto the longest road winning streak having won 17 consecutive road games. They play the next five games on the road.

   *   Fyffe got back to being Fyffe by dominating North Sand Mountain 53-0. They are currently sitting on a string of 308 games without being shutout.

   *   Some head coaches will be reaching milestone wins in 2023. Mark Freeman has amassed 249 victories and will in search of number 250 next week against Spain Park. Mike Battles Jr. can join his father in the 200 win club with just six more wins at Tallassee this season.

   *   Josh Wright won the 150th game of his football coaching career with a big 44-23 victory over Aliceville. His record stands at 150-46 in sixteen seasons.

   *   Carroll defeated Rehobeth 27-14 as head coach Patrick Plott picked up the 100th win of his career.

   *   Patrick Nix and the Central Phenix City Red Devils continued to roll as they thumped Enterprise 48-7 and handed Coach Nix the 100th win of his eleven year career. His record is 100-31.

Team approaching the 700 win club
  695  -  Deshler  (695-371-35)

Team approaching the 600 win club
  597  -  Anniston  (597-401-27)

Team approaching the 500 win club
  497  -  Randolph County  (497-408-25)
  496  -  Southern Choctaw  (496-372-24)
  495  -  Greensboro  (495-434-37)
  494  -  Minor  (494-481-22)
  493  -  Hale County  (493-437-24)
  492  -  Hackleburg  (492-438-29)

Coaches approaching the 250 win club
  249 - Mark Freeman (Thompson)  (249-55)

Coaches approaching the 200 win club
  194  -  Mike Battles Jr. (Tallassee)  (194-103)

Coaches approaching the 150 win club
  148  -  Clint Smith (Jacksonville)  (148-87)
  145  -  Jamey DuBose (Orange Beach)  (145-45)
  145  -  Doug Vickery (Flomaton)  (145-112)
  144  -  Ernie Willingham (Collinsville)  (144-94)

Coaches approaching the 100 win club
  97  -  Adam Fossett (B.B. Comer)  (97-76)
  95  -  Jason Massey (Leroy)  (95-52)
  92  -  Jeremy Perkins (Austin)  (92-58)
  92  -  David Smothers (Addison)  (92-39)