Austin takes on James Clemens in season opener on August 21

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 15, 2026, 12:33 PM

Last updated Aug 15, 2026

Football

Summary

Football teams in Alabama are gearing up for the first Friday night of games on August 21, 2026, with Austin hosting James Clemens as the marquee matchup. Austin returns to Class 6A after competing in Class 7A for eight years, making this an important non-region game between two top teams. Players express excitement and focus on starting the season strong, with Austin looking to avenge a previous loss to James Clemens. Other notable games include Decatur visiting Buckhorn and Hartselle hosting Bob Jones, while West Morgan will face a challenging test against Athens.

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By the Numbers

•Austin and James Clemens face off in a rivalry game.
•Decatur seeks redemption against Buckhorn after two tough seasons.
•Hartselle hosts Class 6A Bob Jones in another key matchup.
•West Morgan, with a long winning streak, challenges Athens in a competitive game.
•August 21 promises to showcase top talent across multiple matchups.

Latest Updates

12:33 PMYahoo Sports — Countdown to kickoff: With a week to go, first Friday features stacked lineup

What they're saying

"
Aug. 15—There's nothing quite like the countdown to Friday night lights. Football preparation begins over a month in advance with practices, media days, photoshoots and more, all leading up to the first kickoff in late August. The countdown to that first Friday night is always much anticipated, but this year's first night of games is even more dramatic than usual. Some of the best opening ...
— Yahoo Sports

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