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Week 2 of high school football will be a lot like last week’s opener for the Demopolis Tigers as they once again travel to Tuscaloosa County take on a larger program, this time 6A Northridge High School.

The Tigers are coming off a season opener loss to 7A Tuscaloosa County, 27-13. The Tigers played well in the first half, taking a 13-0 lead by halftime. But, it was all Tuscaloosa County in the second half.

This week’s opponent, Northridge, is also coming off a loss, having fell to Mountain Brook, 14-30, in its season opener.

For the Tigers, Northridge will bring similar challenges to the field.

“They are very similar to Tuscaloosa County in that they have big offensive and defensive lines. For us to be successful, we’ll have to take care of things up front, on both sides of the ball. We have to do better holding our blocks and getting off blocks,” said DHS Coach Brian Seymore.

Among the concerns after last week’s opening loss is the inability to get things going on the ground.

“We failed to establish a running game last week and that is what we want to do,” Seymore said.

With four turnovers in the second half and costly penalties, the coach said it is important the Tigers get back to basics.

“We just made too many mistakes against a good football team,” he said. “This week is an opportunity for us to come out and play better and do the little things right. We have to fix Demopolis before we can worry about the opposition. If we take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.”

Demopolis has played Northridge two times in the past, winning both games with the latest being a 54-0 shutout in 2005.

The Tigers will play its first home game, as well as first region contest, next week when it hosts Bibb County.

Among other Marengo County games will be Sweet Water making the short drive south to take on Thomasville for its first regular season contest .

Linden High School will be playing its season opener, hosting Sumter Central.

Marengo Academy (0-2) will travel to Clarke Prep.

Marengo High School  (1-0) will travel to Choctaw County.

The A.L. Johnson Eagles (0-1), coming off a loss to Fruitdale, have a bye week.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, August 29 issue of the Demopolis Times.)