Final tuneups
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
High school football teams around the state will go through their final pre-season workouts in preparation for season opening games next week.
Jamborees or pre-season games will be played this week with all five teams in the Hartselle Enquirer coverage area included.
Hartselle will face Austin tonight at Ogle Stadium, a game matching long-time rivals.
The Hartselle-Austin series ended this year after the realignment changed several open dates.
Hartselle is coming off a 4-7 season that ended with a first-round loss to Cullman in the Class 5A state playoffs.
Also on tap for Thursday night preseason games will be Priceville at West Limestone, Elkmont at Falkville.
Priceville finished with a 6-5 mark last season. The Bulldogs were beaten in the first round of the playoffs by St. Clair County.
With the loss of 34 seniors in two years, the Bulldogs will be young this fall.
Falkville was 5-5 and lost some talented players from the team that just missed a playoff spot, but the Blue Devils still have some potent offensive weapons back in the fold.
On Friday, Brewer will host Albertville and Danville will play on the road at New Hope.
Both Brewer and Danville struggled last season, winning just three and one game respectively, but both should be able to improve on those win totals this season with added experience.
The 2008 regular season opens up Thursday, Aug. 28 for all Alabama High School Athletic Association teams.