Ethan Crawford

The Hillcrest Patriots (11-2) will be moving on the the AHSAA Class 6A semifinals after defeating the Saraland Spartans (10-3) at home 24-16. The Patriots scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to get back to the 6A semifinals for the first time since 2017.

When the lights went out, the Tigers took advantage. But when the game came down to the wire, the Hillcrest Patriots gained control.

The Hillcrest Patriots put on a dominating performance, defeating area and cross-town rival, Paul W. Bryant.

Region play has started and the race for the playoffs has now begun.

Hillcrest, led by first-year Patriots head coach Jamie Mitchell, traveled to Northport Friday to take on the rival Tuscaloosa County Wildcats. T-County, who also has a first-year head coach in Adam Winegarden, fell 35-10. This is the eighth year in a row that the Pats were victorious.

Hillcrest secured its RSVP but left Tuscaloosa County with a sour house-warming gift in Wildcat Stadium's opening night.

On the first Friday night of the 2021 season the Homewood Patriots (1-0) and Hillcrest Patriots (0-1) gave fans plenty to take in at Roy Johnson Jr. Stadium. Homewood senior JC Daniel kicked a 27-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation to secure the 37-34 win on the road.

It's time for high school football in west Alabama! Area play might not be starting yet, but there are plenty of inter-class and inter-region games that are bound to excite football fans across the state.

With a dynamic junior quarterback in Ethan Crawford, the Hillcrest Patriots look to capitalize on the success of the 2020 season under new coach Jamie Mitchell.

High school football “Week One” is in two weeks, and five Tuscaloosa-area programs are represented in the Alabama Sports Writers’ Associations Poll. From the Green Wave of Gordo High School to the AISA Tuscaloosa Academy Knights, there is a lot to be excited about if you are a fan of preps football in west Alabama. In 6A, the hi...