The Keith Bears (2-2) and the Southside Panthers (0-5) have the only local matchup this weekend, and if the game is anything like last year’s matchup, the two teams will put on a show.

Last season, the Panthers survived an overtime thriller on their home field when Keith quarterback Jared Edwards’ pass to Kendarius Perry was completed and stopped two yards short of the goal line. The Panthers won the game 40-32 and the team stormed the field in celebration.

On Friday night, the Bears will have home field advantage and a chance to avenge last year’s loss.

Keith has had an up-and-down season through the first five weeks of the season. Each of its last three games has been decided by more than 40 points, but the only victory for Keith in that stretch was against Ellwood Christian. The two lopsided losses Keith suffered were both to top-10 ranked teams Linden and Maplesville.

The Panthers have struggled to start the 2018 season with its worst record since 2008.

Southside opened the season challenging Class 6A teams Northview and Selma, and then played three region games against opponents that put up more than 30 points against them.

Southside scored a season-high 34 points last week against Beulah, but lost the game by eight.

This week’s matchup gives both teams a break from their region schedules. This week, the game doesn’t affect their position in the standings nor their playoff chances.

Dallas County at Holtville

The Dallas County Hornets (0-4) shouldn’t have to worry about electrical issues interrupting their game this week as the team hits the road to play Holtville (2-2) on Friday night.

The Hornets have been facing adversity throughout the season. The team lost its starting quarterback before the season started, and the teams’ only true home game was ended at halftime due to a malfunctioning transformer.

Hornets quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back Sevaughn Brown has stepped up to help the offense. After being shutout in the first two games of the season, Brown has been responsible for each of the teams’ four touchdowns.

He rushed for three touchdowns against Sumter Central, and threw his first passing touchdown before halftime against Sipsey Valley.

Dallas County has been making the necessary adjustments to build off of their losses, but they will need to establish some consistency on offense to put more points on the scoreboard.

The Holtville Bulldogs are coming off a 35-42 overtime loss to Elmore County.

The Bulldogs have scored at least 35 points in three of its first four games this season. Holtville’s defense has allowed 21 points per game.

Selma at Linden

The Selma High Saints (1-3) go on the road on Friday to face Class 1A No.2 Linden (4-0).

Selma High is a Class 6A school, but the Linden Patriots have talented football team that can put up points.

The Saints are looking to end a three-game losing streak. The team’s only road win came in the season opener against Southside.

The Saints defense has allowed an average of 35.8 points to opponents, which is 10 points higher than what the teams’ offense is producing. Both sides of the ball need to improve, but the Saints losing streak will continue if they can’t limit their opponents’ ability to score.

The Patriots have risen to the No.2 spot in the standings on the strength of their defense. They’ve already shutout two opponents, defeated No. 3 Maplesville and limited Keith to one touchdown (a punt return).

In the game against the Bears, the Patriots held Keith under 100 rushing yards and rarely missed tackles.

However, it did take some time before the offense could move the ball effectively. Keith fell behind early due to miscues on special teams, but the Patriots offense wasn’t able to move the ball consistently until the second half when they opened up the passing game. Patriots quarterback Graderius Brown can pass the ball efficiently and also beat defenders with his feat. Containing him will be a key for the Saints defense.

Morgan vs. Springwood

The No.8 Morgan Academy Senators (5-1) win streak has been extended to five games now as the team prepares for a home matchup against the Springwood Wildcats (2-3) for a non-region game.

The Wildcats are in the midst of a three-game losing streak where they have allowed more than 40 points in each game. The defense has allowed an average of 35.6 points to opponents this season.

The Senators and the Wildcats have shared two opponents on the season (Success Unlimited and Edgewood Academy). Both teams defeated Success, but the Senators won by a much larger margin.  Morgan Academy shutout Edgewood 37-0, while Springwood lost 44-13.

Morgan has been tested this season, but the team has also taken care of the games they were supposed to win.

Only two teams have reached the end zone more than once against the Senators defense. The Senators average margin of victory is by 28.8 points.

The Senators offense capitalizes off the strength of its defense by attacking both through the air and on the ground. The team racked up 301 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns last Friday, and also passed for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Morgan’s stout defense and balanced offense has given the school its best start since 2005.

Ellwood vs. Autaugaville

The Ellwood Christian Eagles (0-4) host the also winless Autaugaville Eagles (0-5) at Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

This non-region matchup brings together two schools looking for their first win of the season. Both teams have run into ranked opponents early, and have suffered blowout losses. Autaugaville has been shut out three times and ECA has been shut out twice. Both teams lost to Holy Spirit by more than 50.

In a game that doesn’t count toward the region standings, both teams have the opportunity to make the adjustments they need to turn their season outlook around.

After this weekend, ECA has its four remaining region games back-to-back.