We are a couple of weeks into Region play. 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 are posted now.

   *  Do you like offense? Well it seems defenses are beginning to catch up a little. This week there were 38 shutouts by the defenses. UMS-Wright was shutout by Gulf Shores 17-0 for the first time in 30 games. Brantley got blanked by Elba 48-0 for the first time in 93 games since 2015. In a shocker of sorts Coosa Christian shutout Decatur Heritage 48-0.

   *  Huffman was shutout by Oxford 52-0 and has been outscored 215-0 this season.

   *  Some games of interest include Lincoln beating Alexandria 24-17. Alexandria is 0-4 for the first time since 1969.

   *  Gulf Shores defeated UMS-Wright 17-0 and is 4-0 for the first time in school history. The toughest stretch of the Dolphins schedule is behind them now and they could conceivably remain undefeated through the regular season. They have never won a region title but certainly are in the driver's seat right now.

   *  What about John Carroll? They have started the season 4-0 for the first time since 1999. The Cavaliers will face a tougher schedule down the stretch with Pleasant Grove and Ramsay upcoming.

   *  Do you appreciate statement wins? Parker got one by thumping Mortimer Jordan 62-28 Thursday. Saraland thrashed Spanish Fort 48-7. Muscle Shoals thumped Athens 66-28. Thompson ran over Spain Park 55-14. Lastly Central Clay County outscored Elmore County 48-6.

   *  St. Luke's is 4-0 for the first time in school history after the Wildcats beat Washington County 27-14 Friday night.

   *  Jacob Cornejo piled up over 400 yards of total offense as Cherokee County beat Oneonta 42-21.

   *  The biggest upset of the week had to be Carroll beating Charles Henderson 34-24 after entering the game as a 14 point underdog. Mae Jemison was a 19 point underdog to Lee Huntsville before dropping them 19-18.

   *  Calhoun defeated Autaugaville 30-26 for their first on-the-field region win since the 2014 football season.

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

   *  Hoover has been ranked by the ASWA for an amazing 263 consecutive polls dating back to the 2000 season. The Bucs lost to 26-7 and will fall out of the ASWAA poll this week certainly. Piedmont will assume the lead as the Bulldogs have been ranked 166 consecutive weeks since the final poll in 2008. Fyffe will take the top spot of that list in all likelihood next week.

   *   The longest winning streak belongs to Saraland who has won their last ten games. Lee-Scott Academy saw their 15 games winning streak in the AISA come to an end as they fell to Glenwood School 42-31.

   *   Columbia now holds onto the longest losing streak at 75 straight contests. The Eagles were shutout by Hartselle 44-0 and host Sardis next week. They hold the all-time record for consecutive losses.

   *   American Christian had a streak of 36 consecutive region wins but the Patriots lost to a very good Bibb County team this week by a score of 22-20. Mars Hill with a string of 34 straight region victories will assume the lead. Catholic Montgomery (29) is close behind the patriots.

   *   Barbour County has lost 60 consecutive region games after falling to Lafayette 30-0 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 following their road win over Spanish Fort. This week the Spartans host Robertsdale.

   *   Catholic Montgomery also holds onto the longest road winning streak having won 18 consecutive road games after knocking off Slocomb 42-0. They play the next four games on the road also.

   *   Fyffe is back to being Fyffe by dominating Whitesburg Christian 54-0. They are currently sitting on a string of 309 games without being shutout.

   *   Some head coaches will be reaching milestone wins in 2023. Mark Freeman picked up the 250th victory in his coaching career as Thompson defeated Spain Park 55-14. His overall record as a head football coach is 250-55 in 25 seasons. Congratulation Coach!

   *   Mike Battles Jr. can join his father in the 200 win club with just six more wins at Tallassee this season.

Team approaching the 700 win club
  696  -  Deshler  (696-371-35)

Team approaching the 600 win club
  597  -  Anniston  (597-402-27)

Team approaching the 500 win club
  498  -  Randolph County  (498-408-25)
  496  -  Southern Choctaw  (496-373-24)
  495  -  Greensboro  (495-435-37)
  495  -  Minor  (495-481-22)
  494  -  Hale County  (494-437-24)
  493  -  Hackleburg  (493-438-29)

Coaches approaching the 200 win club
  194  -  Mike Battles Jr. (Tallassee)  (194-104)

Coaches approaching the 150 win club
  149  -  Clint Smith (Jacksonville)  (149-87)
  145  -  Jamey DuBose (Orange Beach)  (145-46)
  146  -  Doug Vickery (Flomaton)  (146-112)
  144  -  Ernie Willingham (Collinsville)  (144-95)

Coaches approaching the 100 win club
  98  -  Adam Fossett (B.B. Comer)  (98-76)
  96  -  Jason Massey (Leroy)  (96-52)
  92  -  Jeremy Perkins (Austin)  (92-59)
  92  -  David Smothers (Addison)  (92-40)