Aug. 22—The 2024 high school football season is finally upon us, and it's kicking off with a bang.

On Friday, Austin will travel to Hartselle as the two teams open the season against each other for the seventh straight year, while Decatur will kick off a new era for its program.

Lawrence County and East Lawrence will renew their rivalry for the first time since 2017, and West Morgan and Randolph will meet for the third consecutive season.

Who will win these games? And what about the other contests in the area? Let's dive into the picks.

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Last season: 112-36

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Austin Black Bears at Hartselle Tigers

For the 57th time, and for the seventh straight year in a season opener, Hartselle and Austin are set to meet.

Like any season opener — but maybe even more so in this game — there are a lot of unknowns.

Hartselle has a new head coach: Bert Newton, who was promoted from defensive coordinator. Austin has new faces all over the team.

What Austin does return are starting quarterback JL Davis, star running back Gavin Fuqua and star receiver Jaxon Potter. On the other side, Hartselle also returns its starting quarterback, Noah Lee, as well as 6-foot-7 star receiver Markus Tapscott.

Defense is where the Tigers might have the edge.

Hartselle returns half of its starters from last year, including senior defensive lineman Porter Simmons, who is drawing Division I interest. Meanwhile, Austin returns just three players who played significant snaps in 2023.

It's not hard to envision both offenses scoring points in this game, but Hartselle's experience on defense, as well as playing at home, might be enough to tip the scales in in the Tigers' favor.

Prediction: Hartselle

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Decatur Red Raiders at Buckhorn Bucks

A new era of Decatur football begins Friday. Head coach John Ritter will coach his first game with the Red Raiders. Ritter has achieved plenty of success at stops at Russellville, West Morgan and Red Bay. Now he'll look to do the same at Decatur.

Ritter will have to do so with a young team., His roster boasts 70 freshmen and sophomores. With a game against Austin next week and games against Muscle Shoals and Hartselle looming, the Red Raiders will need to grow up quickly.

Prediction: Decatur

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East Lawrence Eagles at Lawrence County Red Devils

Moulton is sure to be rocking Friday as these two cross-country rivals meet for the first time since 2017.

Lawrence County has all of the advantages. The Red Devils are a bigger school, are at home and return an experienced team. Head coach Trent Walker, who led the Red Devils to their first winning season since 2015 last year, has possibly his best team yet, led by senior quarterback and three-year starter Parker Frost.

In a rivalry game like this, though, don't count out the Eagles.

Second-year head coach Mac Hampton improved East Lawrence from zero wins to two wins last season and is looking to take a bigger step this year. Cross-county games in Lawrence County, regardless of sport, always have a way of being wild and unpredictable, so don't be surprised at anything that happens in this one.

Prediction: Lawrence County

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West Morgan Rebels at Randolph Raiders

It's finally time for West Morgan to move on from last year's school-record 12-1 season.

Eighteen seniors are gone from that team, but West Morgan coaches and players are confident that the new faces can fill the holes.

West Morgan has defeated Randolph in the season opener the past two seasons, scoring 41 points each time. Can they do it again?

Prediction: West Morgan

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Other games: Decatur Heritage over Sheffield, Priceville over Columbia, Falkville over Vinemont, Danville over Tharptown, Brewer over Hayden, Athens over Mae Jemison, Westminster Christian over East Limestone, West Limestone over Clements, St. John Paul II over Elkmont and Tanner over Ardmore.

— [email protected] or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2