FRIDAY’S GAMES AT 7 P.M.

Hazel Green (4-1, 2-1) at Austin (5-0, 3-0)

Where: Ogle Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-94.7

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: A key game in the Region 8 standings. Since losing to Decatur in Week 3, Hazel Green has posted impressive wins against Bob Jones and Class 4A No. 8 Madison County. … Austin has emerged as one of the best teams in the area, averaging 39 points per game behind a talented ensemble of playmakers. … Hazel Green has one of the largest offensive lines in Region 8. The group has paved the way for an efficient offense that’s led by quarterback Corey Collier. … Josh Walker and Brandon Watkins give Austin one of the area’s top running back tandems. The duo combined for 216 yards last week against Athens. … Austin leads the all-time series 7-2.

The Daily picks: Austin 37, Hazel Green 10

Decatur (3-2, 1-2) at Bob Jones (3-2, 2-1)

Where: Madison City Schools Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8 game

Radio: AM-1400

Last season: Bob Jones won 17-3

The skinny: Decatur returns to Region 8 play with momentum after using strong performances on special teams and defense to upset rival Hartselle. … Trae Hayes blocked a field goal, Tae Hayes returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and Jackson Walraven was spectacular as a punter in the Red Raiders’ win. … Kevin Wright and Jaylon Rogers lead Bob Jones’ run-oriented offense. The duo combined for 190 yards on 24 carries last week in a 27-11 win against Huntsville. … Decatur leads the all-time series 10-5.

The Daily picks: Bob Jones 17, Decatur 14

Hartselle (4-1, 3-0) at Muscle Shoals (5-0, 3-0)

Where: J.F. Moore Stadium

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-99.9

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: This is one of the area’s most anticipated football games of the season. Hartselle and Muscle Shoals opened the preseason ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, but that changed when Hartselle was upset last week by rival Decatur. Muscle Shoals is now ranked No. 1, while Hartselle fell to No. 4. … A physical brand of defense is the cornerstone for both teams. Through five games, Muscle Shoals has given up only nine points, holding opponents to 1.8 points per game. The unit is led by defensive tackle Dee Liner, an Auburn commitment. … Hartselle’s defense is giving up 8.6 points per game, and the unit has been exceptionally good against the run. … Stopping the run is the key for Hartselle. Muscle Shoals runs an option-oriented offense that is built around the running game. … Led by quarterback Deacon Aldridge and running back Blake Slayton, Hartselle’s offense has consistently moved the ball in recent weeks, but it has struggled to finish drives with touchdowns. Penalties and turnovers have killed several offensive drives during the past two weeks. … Hartselle leads the all-time series 12-4-1.

The Daily picks: Muscle Shoals 10, Hartselle 7

East Limestone (2-3, 1-2) at Athens (1-4, 1-2)

Where: Golden Eagles Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Last season: East Limestone won 17-14

The skinny: Since playing for the first time in 2006, Athens and East Limestone have established one of the area’s most fierce football rivalries. … More than bragging rights are on the line in the rivalry’s 2012 chapter. This game has heavy postseason implications — almost a must-win situation for both teams. Led by safety Johnnie Anderson and linebacker Bolton Patton, Athens’ opportunistic defense has been good at forcing turnovers. … East Limestone will counter Athens’ defense with an offense that relies on the power-running game. Torren Haley and Jevon Turner lead East Limestone’s offense … The all-time series is tied 3-3.

The Daily picks: Athens 10, East Limestone 7

Columbia (1-4, 0-3) at Brewer (0-5, 0-3)

Where: James Tucker Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 7 game

Last season: Columbia won 46-20

The skinny: Brewer has struggled to find an offensive identity in recent weeks. The Patriots have been shut out in the past two games, losing 38-0 to Arab and 21-0 to Vinemont. … Quarterback Patrick Lewis led Columbia with five touchdowns last week as the Eagles beat Butler for their first win of the season. … Brewer is trying to end a 15-game losing skid. … Columbia leads the all-time series 2-0.

The Daily picks: Columbia 33, Brewer 10

West Point (1-4, 0-3) at Lawrence County (2-3, 0-3)

Where: Red Devil Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-98.3

Last season: West Point won 41-35

The skinny: Lawrence County picked up its second win of the season last week, beating Hatton 7-0 in overtime. … Gabe Vernon led the Red Devils in the win with 93 yards on 16 carries, including the game-winning touchdown. … Scoring points has been an issue for Lawrence County. The Red Devils are averaging 5.2 points per game. … Kristian Chappel’s touchdown run was one of the few highlights for West Point in a 14-10 loss last week to Hanceville. … Lawrence County leads the all-time series 17-13.

The Daily picks: West Point 9, Lawrence County 6

Ardmore (4-1, 2-1) at J.O. Johnson (4-1, 2-1)

Where: Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M in Normal.

What: Class 4A, Region 7 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: This is a significant game in the Region 7 standings because both teams are still in contention for a home playoff game. … Tyler McCarley and Zach Ellis combined for 179 yards on the ground last week in Ardmore’s 16-7 win against Clements. … Quarterback Wesley Bailey threw a pair of touchdowns last week in Johnson’s 38-6 win against rival Lee-Huntsville.

The Daily picks: J.O. Johnson 23, Ardmore 13

East Lawrence (1-4, 0-3) at Priceville (2-3, 0-3)

Where: Bulldog Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Last season: Priceville won 34-20

The skinny: East Lawrence quarterback Terrence Deloney is one of the area’s leading rushers. He rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns last week in a 28-7 win against West Morgan. … Nick Bell continues to be a consistent weapon for Priceville — both on offense and special teams. Bell caught a 45-yard touchdown pass and kicked a 37-yard field goal last week in the Bulldogs’ 17-15 win against Danville. … Priceville leads the all-time series 3-1.

The Daily picks: East Lawrence 21, Priceville 14

Clements (0-5, 0-3) at Westminster Chris. (3-2, 1-2)

Where: Wildcat Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Jacob Parker led Westminster last week in a win against Randolph, rushing for three touchdowns. … Since losing 54-53 in four overtimes in the season opener at West Limestone, Clements has struggled to score in the past four games, averaging 5.25 points during that span. … In last week’s loss to Ardmore, Clements quarterback Marcus McNaughton was 14-of-18 for 178 yards. … The Colts are on a 12-game losing skid. … Clements leads the all-time series 2-0.

The Daily picks: Westminster Christian 35, Clements 6

Good Hope (2-3, 1-2) at Danville (2-3, 1-2)

Where: Smith-Owens Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: With four teams at 1-2 in the Region 7 standings, this game is crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes. … Good Hope has lost three straight since upsetting rival Hanceville in Week 2. … Jerrod McClure and Zac Witcher each rushed for a touchdown last week in the Raiders’ loss to New Hope, and Austin Crumbley threw for a score. … Justin Morgan and Justin Hannah each ran for a touchdown last week in Danville’s 17-15 loss to Priceville. … Good Hope leads the all-time series 13-9.

The Daily picks: Good Hope 21, Danville 20

Madison Academy (3-2, 3-0) at Elkmont (1-4, 1-2)

Where: Boss Hill Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Madison Academy won 42-0

The skinny: Madison Academy has emerged as the frontrunner in a tough Region 8. … The Mustangs were last season’s Class 3A state runner-up. … Madison Academy running back Kerryon Johnson is considered one of the state’s top prospects in the 2015 class. He rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown on eight carries last week in a 42-21 loss at Cullman. … A young Elkmont team has struggled at times this season as it tries to build for the future. … Last week in a loss against West Limestone, wide receiver Rhett Bailey returned to the field for the first time since 2010. Bailey, who spent 2011 battling cancer, caught a touchdown pass on his first play. … Madison Academy leads the all-time series 14-9.

The Daily picks: Madison Academy 42, Elkmont 14

Falkville (5-0) at Donoho (4-1)

Where: Lantz Field

What: Non-region game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Falkville is off to its best start in more than two decades, but the Blue Devils get a tough non-region test this week at Donoho, which suffered its first loss of the season last week against Collinsville. … Falkville running back Marcus Woodall rushed 10 times last week against Sumiton Christian, finishing with 236 yards and two touchdowns. He had scoring runs of 90 and 96 yards. … Falkville quarterback Aaron Estes has been a perfect fit in coach Joel Schrenk’s spread offense. He is averaging more than 100 passing yards per game.

The Daily picks: Falkville 18, Donoho 14

R.A. Hubbard (2-3, 1-2) at Tharptown (2-3, 2-1)

Where: Wildcat Stadium

What: Class 1A, Region 8 game

Last season: R.A. Hubbard won 56-6

The skinny: R.A. Hubbard will be trying to snap a two-game losing streak when it travels to Tharptown. The Chiefs are coming off a 48-0 loss to Tanner as they hit the stretch run in a bid to make the playoffs. ... Tharptown is an improved team this season with standout quarterback Kelby Hallmark leading the way. ... The Wildcats lost a 48-40 shootout to Cherokee a week ago. ... Hallmark threw two touchdown passes and ran for two while rallying Tharptown from a 35-13 halftime deficit. ... R.A. Hubbard was held to 64 yards and did not complete a pass against Tanner.

The Daily picks: R.A. Hubbard 42, Tharptown 28

Lexington (2-3, 1-2) at Hatton (2-3, 2-1)

Where: Hatton Field

What: Class 2A, Region 8 game

Last season: Lexington won 35-21

The skinny: Important game in the playoff picture for both teams. ... Hatton is hitting the meat of its region schedule with remaining games against Tanner, Sheffield and Colbert Heights. ... Lexington closes the region schedule with games against Phil Campbell, Cherokee and Red Bay. ... Hatton failed to score in a 7-0 loss against Lawrence County last week. ... Lexington took Rogers to overtime before losing 28-27. ... Quarterback Brandon Putman ran for 138 yards in the loss for Lexington. ... Romie Senior led Hatton with 72 yards last week.

The Daily picks: Lexington 28, Hatton 7

Colbert Heights (2-3, 1-2) at Tanner (5-0, 3-0)

Where: Rip Swanner Stadium

What: Class 2A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Tanner has established itself as a Class 2A title contender. The Rattlers have allowed only three touchdowns this season but should be tested by Colbert Heights, which has a strong passing attack. ... Wildcats QB Cole Claunch threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns a week ago in a 34-32 loss to Hackleburg. ... Blake Fisher was his favorite target against Hackleburg with three touchdown catches. ... Hayden Stephens had a big game in last week’s win against R.A. Hubbard, rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries. ... Tanner piled up 383 yards on 29 carries against the Chiefs.

The Daily picks: Tanner 49, Colbert Heights 21

Deshler (2-3, 1-2) at West Morgan (1-4, 1-2)

Where: Rebels Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: After a tough start to the season against arguably one of the toughest schedules, Deshler found its offense in a 49-35 win over Class 4A Brooks a week ago. ... Terrance Byrd paced the Tigers with 250 yards and two TDs, while Juakeem Fuqua had 156 yards and three rushing TDs. He also had a 15-yard TD reception. ... West Morgan failed to generate much offense last week in a 28-7 loss to previously winless East Lawrence. ... Demetrius Warren was West Morgan’s best performer in the loss, rushing for 125 yards on 25 carries.

The Daily picks: Deshler 56, West Morgan 14

West Limestone (3-2, 1-2) at Wilson (3-2, 2-1)

Where: Wilson Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Last season: West Limestone won 44-20

The skinny: West Limestone is riding a modest two-game winning streak while Wilson has won three in a row for the first time since 2006. ... Wildcats have beaten East Lawrence and Elkmont in consecutive weeks. ... Wilson’s streak includes wins against Priceville, Rogers and Red Bay. ... Jason Futrell is Wilson’s leading rusher and two weeks ago against Priceville, he racked up 351 rushing yards. ... West Limestone has averaged 43 points per game in its three wins, but just 9.5 points in its two losses. ... Wilson’s losses were to Lauderdale County and Haleyville the first two games of the season.

The Daily picks: Wilson 27, West Limestone 13