Here’s what awaits football teams in The News Courier’s coverage area this week.

For prep results, please visit www.enewscourier.com or The News Courier Facebook.

Non-Region Game

Team: Athens (3-1)

Opponent: vs. Mae Jemison (2-2)

Quick Hitter: The Golden Eagles beat the Jaguars 47-6 in 2022, the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Coach Speak: “We got our butts handed to us last week, so we need to come out this week a little irritated and try to handle our business. Mae Jemison’s a very talented football team and they are improving each week. They have the capability to do some big things.” — Athens’ Cody Gross

“Homecoming games are unique, because a lot of folks like it and coaches hate it. There are a lot of potential distractions that pop up, and it’s a challenge because we are dealing with a bunch of high school kids. So, we have got to keep them focused this week.” — Athens’ Cody Gross

Class 3A, Region 8

Team: Clements (1-3, 0-2)

Opponent: at Colbert Heights (1-3, 0-1)

Quick Hitter: Eight of the past nine matchups between these programs have been decided by 15 points or fewer.

Coach Speak: “Colbert Heights has the same record as us, but they always play hard against us. I think it’s going to be a good game. We have to go over there and play, but we are going to try and bring home the win.” — Clements’ Michael Parker

Class 5A, Region 7

Team: East Limestone (0-4, 0-2)

Opponent: vs. Russellville (4-0, 2-0)

Quick Hitter: The Indians are 2-11 all-time against the Golden Tigers — those two wins coming in 2014 and 2011.

Coach Speak: “Russellville’s the best team in our region, so I am excited to see what our kids are going to do against them. We know this is going to be a talented Russellville team coming in, but we are ready for the challenge and we know our best football is ahead of us.” — East Limestone’s Clint Woodfin

“We are learning a little bit more about our team each week. We’ve had a good week of practice this week and I’m very pleased with the direction we are going in.” — East Limestone’s Clint Woodfin

Class 3A, Region 8

Team: Elkmont (3-1, 1-1)

Opponent: at No. 1 Mars Hill Bible (4-0, 2-0)

Quick Hitter: The top-ranked Panthers are 6-0 all-time against Limestone County teams.

Coach Speak: “Mars Hill is the No. 1 team in the state for a reason, so we know that we have a tough one ahead of us this week. They have got some guys that are going to give us some issues on both sides of the ball, so we better be ready when we show up there.” — Elkmont’s Chris Bunio

“I told our guys this week that we have to focus on improving ourselves. We need to be better at responding to adversity, and to do that, we are going to have to give our all on every single play despite what the scoreboard says.” — Elkmont’s Chris Bunio

Class 7A, Region 4

Team: James Clemens (3-1, 2-0)

Opponent: at Florence (2-2, 2-0)

Quick Hitter: The Jets are seeking their second 3-0 region start in three seasons under coach Chad McGehee.

Class 2A, Region 8

Team: Tanner (2-2, 2-0)

Opponent: vs. Sheffield (0-4, 0-2)

Quick Hitter: The Rattlers have lost three consecutive to the Bulldogs, including a 48-47 heartbreaker in 2022.

Coach Speak: “Sheffield’s going to try and throw the ball 40 to 50 times against us, so we have got to be solid in the back end of our secondary. Defensively, we’re going to have to create turnovers, and offensively, we are going to need to establish our run game.” — Tanner’s Oscar Bonds

Class 4A, Region 7

Team: West Limestone (2-2, 0-2)

Opponent: at East Lawrence (1-2, 0-2)

Quick Hitter: The Wildcats are 8-1 all-time against the Eagles — the lone loss coming all the way back in 2001.

Coach Speak: “East Lawrence is much improved from last year’s team, which means we are going to have to play a good, fundamental game to win. They’ve got a lot of guys who can fly on the football field, so we are going to have to do a good job at making sure they don’t get behind us on defense.” — West Limestone’s Shelby Davis

Bye Week

Team: Ardmore (0-4)

Next Week’s Opponent: at Elkmont (3-1)

Coach Speak: “It’s not really about an opponent during a bye week — it’s about yourself and how you can improve as a player. We are going to have to focus on areas of improvement, and during a bye week, you have the time to sit down with each player and help them get better.” — Ardmore’s Jonathan Snider

“We have got to get back to being us and playing our brand of football. This is the time of the season where you have the chance to find the right button to push to be successful as a team.” — Ardmore’s Jonathan Snider