22 video games to observe in 2022: This season’s most intriguing prep soccer matchups

The 2022 highschool soccer schedule formally kicks off in Alabama later this week.

From Week 1 – or Week 0 as it’s deemed by the Alabama Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation – to the ultimate week of the common season, there are intriguing matchups all through the state.

Listed here are 22 video games in 2022 that you need to care about and why.

Video games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. except in any other case famous.

Aug. 18

Gulf Shores at St. Michael

Mark Hudspeth (Gulf Shores) vs. Philip Rivers (St. Michael) at Fairhope Municipal Stadium. Hudspeth’s Dolphins embrace gifted athletes Ronnie Royal III and JR Gardner and Spanish Fort switch QB Brendon Byrd. The Cardinals, in Rivers’ second season, counter with QB Josh Murphy and RB Ezra Sexton.

Aug. 19

Auburn vs. Hoover

The second night time of the AHSAA’s Kickoff Traditional at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery pits No. 3 Auburn towards No. 5 Hoover, two of the state’s annual 7A state title contenders. Each groups reached the semifinals a 12 months in the past. First sport for brand spanking new Hoover coach Wade Waldrop.

Briarwood Christian at Clay-Chalkville

Reigning Class 6A champ Clay-Chalkville takes a 15-game profitable streak into its opener towards the state’s prime senior quarterback, Christopher Vizzina. The Cougars will attempt to reload for an additional title run with star junior receivers Mario Craver and Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama commit).

Hewitt-Trussville at Central-Phenix Metropolis

Star-studded opener in Phenix Metropolis between the second-ranked Crimson Devils and fourth-ranked Huskies. Central completed because the state runner-up a 12 months in the past behind Thompson. Patrick Nix’s roster contains Auburn WR commit Karmello English, Georgia DB commit AJ Harris and former Penn State commit Tomarrion Parker. Josh Floyd’s Hewitt roster contains Alabama DL commit Hunter Osborne, South Florida DL commit Connor Knight and extremely rated DB Rickey Gibson.

Thompson vs. Buford, Ga. (4 p.m.)

Mark Freeman and Thompson journey to Alpharetta, Ga., to take part within the 2022 Freedom Bowl. The Warriors have gained the final three Class 7A titles and this 12 months’s roster contains prime prospects Peter Woods (Clemson commit) and Tony Mitchell (Alabama). Nonetheless, Buford is loaded as properly with Alabama senior RB commit Justice Haynes and three of the highest juniors in Georgia in S KJ Bolden, EDGE Eddrick Houston and ATH KingJoseph Edwards.

Vigor at Blount

They’ll pack Blount Stadium for the annual Battle of Prichard. Each groups have new coaches – Josh Harris at Blount and Markus Prepare dinner at Vigor. The Wolves are shifting as much as Class 5A after profitable the Class 4A state title a 12 months in the past. Michael Towner Jr. is one in all 9 starters returning on the Vigor protection.

Aug. 25

Daphne at Carver-Montgomery

Fascinating non-region matchup because the Trojans journey to Montgomery. Kenny King’s workforce has a brand new quarterback in Saraland switch Gabe Reynolds. Carver boasts two of the state’s prime senior prospects on its defensive entrance in James Smith and Qua Russaw.

Aug. 26

Clay-Chalkville at Hueytown

Rematch of final 12 months’s Class 6A championship sport, won by the Cougars in a 46-42 shootout. The Golden Gophers will attempt to take the rematch behind reigning 6A Participant of the Yr Earl Woods. The senior completed with 112 yards speeding and 246 yards passing and three TDS within the title sport.

Fyffe at Geraldine

A little bit of a revenge sport for Fyffe. The Bulldogs beat the Red Devils 20-19 a year ago, ending Fyffe’s nation-best 51 sport win streak. Fyffe’s Paul Benefield was voted one of the best lively coach within the state by his friends on an AL.com summer season survey. The Crimson Devils enter the season because the No. 1 workforce in Class 2A.

James Clemens at Mountain Brook

South Alabama QB commit Gio Lopez and James Clemens journey south to tackle the at all times powerful Mountain Brook protection. The Jets enter the season ranked No. 6 in Class 7A. Chris Yeager’s Spartans are No. 2 in 6A.

Aug. 27

Lipscomb Academy at Thompson (8 p.m.)

Thompson’s second high-profile out-of-state matchup in two weeks will likely be televised nationally by ESPNU. Lipscomb Academy is coached by former NFL veteran and Tremendous Bowl profitable quarterback Trent Dilfer, who led the Mustangs to a state title final season, their first since 2007.

Sept. 9

Spanish Fort at Saraland

This annual Class 6A, Area 1 battle has a special taste in 2022. Chase Smith has changed Ben Blackmon as head coach at Spanish Fort. Additionally gone from the Toros is QB Brendon Byrd, who transferred to Gulf Shores after beginning 27 straight video games at Spanish Fort. The Spartans have three of one of the best sophomores within the state in QB KJ Lacey, WR Ryan Williams and RB Santae McWilliams Jr.

Sept. 16

Florence at James Clemens

Alabama DB commit Jahlil Hurley and the Falcons sq. off towards South Alabama QB commit Gio Lopez and Class 7A No. 6 James Clemens. The Jets won a 45-42 thriller a year ago when Aaron Rowe kicked a 32-yard area objective with 9 seconds left.

Vigor at UMS-Wright

These two groups open the season ranked No. 1 (UMS) and No. 2 (Vigor) in Class 5A. The Wolves gained the Class 4A title a 12 months in the past earlier than shifting up a category. UMS has gained eight titles beneath Corridor of Fame coach Terry Curtis. The 2 Cellular-area faculties haven’t performed since 2007.

Sept. 23

Clay-Chalkville at Thompson

The reigning champs from the state’s two largest classifications meet in a non-region sport. Clay went 15-0 and gained the 6A title a 12 months in the past. Thompson has gained the final three 7A titles and is making an attempt to develop into the primary workforce to win 4 straight. Prospects everywhere in the area on this one.

IMG Academy at Central-Phenix Metropolis

IMG and Central-Phenix Metropolis will meet in a game set to be nationally televised by ESPNU. IMG defeated Auburn 27-17 final 12 months. This 12 months’s IMG workforce contains 9 gamers ranked among the many ESPN 300 seniors and 10 within the ESPN junior class.

Sept. 30

Montgomery Academy at Montgomery Catholic

The 2 rivals met twice a 12 months in the past. Catholic rolled over MA 42-0 within the common season, earlier than the Eagles turned the tables within the playoffs. MA shocked the Knights 10-7 within the state semifinals. Each groups moved as much as 4A within the offseason. Catholic enters the season No. 1 regardless of the leap. Montgomery Academy is No. 6.

Opelika at Auburn

One of many state’s finest rivalries 12 months in and 12 months out. This 12 months, Erik Speakman’s Bulldogs transfer up from 6A to affix Auburn in Class 7A, Area 2. That ought to solely add depth to this annual battle. Keith Etheredge’s Tigers gained 16-14 at Opelika a 12 months in the past.

Oct. 14

Auburn at Central-Phenix Metropolis

One other prospect-filled Class 7A, Area 2 sport. High recruits concerned included Auburn’s Bradyn Joiner and Central-Phenix Metropolis’s Tomarrion Parker, AJ Harris and Karmello English. The Crimson Devils swept the Tigers a 12 months in the past, profitable 21-7 throughout the season and 28-17 within the 7A semifinals.

Oct. 20

Pike Street at Carver-Montgomery

Reigning 5A champ Pike Street strikes as much as Class 6A with new coach Ed Rigby. The Patriots nonetheless have loads of expertise, together with sophomore sensation RB Anthony Rogers and senior OT Vysen Lang. Carver counters with prime prospects James Smith and Qua Russaw on the defensive entrance line.

Oct. 21

Hoover at Thompson

The state’s highschool coaches simply voted this the highest rivalry within the state. The stakes are at all times excessive. The groups have met within the Class 7A state semifinals 5 straight years with Thompson profitable the final 4. The Bucs gained 24-21 within the regular-season finale in 2021 earlier than Thompson bounced again for a 35-10 win within the semifinals.

Saraland at Theodore

This sport may resolve the Class 6A, Area 1 champ. The Bobcats, a perennial playoff contender in Class 7A, drop down into the ultra-competitive 6A, Area 1 this 12 months. Eric Collier’s workforce contains Southern Miss DB/ATH commit Will James. Jeff Kelly’s Spartans are loaded with younger expertise.

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