After stepping out of region play for a week, high school football teams will return to the games that matter most Friday night.

Demopolis will play host to region rival Greenville, and head coach Tom Causey has felt since the summer that this would be one of the toughest games his Tigers play all season.

“Nothing has changed since the summer,” he said. “They’re 2-3, but their three losses are to three dang good teams in Anniston, Charles Henderson and a really good Jackson team.”

Causey said Greenville is a dangerous team to play because of their speed and athleticism.

“They’re very fast and very athletic,” he said. “They’re going to come out and do what they do and run the ball and try to get the big play when they can. They’re going to go out and try to get first downs and keep the pressure on us.”

Causey said to counter his team needs to go out and get first downs to keep the ball away from them.

“We’ve got to move the sticks and obviously score when we have the chance,” he said. “They’re going to be physical, and they play how they’re coached. They’re a tough team.”

Demopolis won 21-3 last season at Greenville.

The teams have faced each other annually since 2004 with Demopolis winning six of the nine contests. Demopolis holds an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series.

Linden at A.L. Johnson

One of the Class 1A matchups is between two county rivals in Linden and A.L. Johnson.

Linden is 3-0 in the region and 3-2 overall, with losses to Leroy and Bibb County, both of which are in higher classifications. A.L. Johnson is 4-1 overall, and 2-1 in the region. Their only loss came on the road to St. Luke’s.

Last season, the Patriots won this matchup 34-0.

Flomaton at Sweet Water

Sweet Water will host Flomaton in their return to region play this week.

The Bulldogs are 3-2 on the season with both of their losses coming outside the region to Thomasville and Maplesville.

Sweet Water won this game 34-6 last year.

St. Luke’s At Marengo

The Marengo Panthers are 4-1 overall this season with their only loss coming in week one to Southern Choctaw. They are 3-0 in the region. St. Luke’s only region loss came to Linden.

Last season, St. Luke’s defeated Marengo 54-0.

John Essex at J.U. Blacksher

Both of these teams are searching for their first wins of the season. It has been a struggle for the Hornets so far this year, and they will be looking to get a victory this week.

Blacksher defeated John Essex 39-6 in 2012.

Marengo Academy at Meadowview Christian

The Longhorns have been dismantling competition for much of this season, and this week should be no different.

Meadowview is winless so far this year, and Marengo Academy has looked like one of the better teams in AISA so far.

The Longhorns won last season’s matchup 46-26.