Austin (7-0) at Florence (4-3, 4-1)

Where: Braly Municipal Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8

Last year: Did not play

The skinny: This is for region control. The Black Bears can solidify their grasp on the top spot while Florence can force itself into picture for the region title. Fourth-ranked Austin is averaging 31 points a game as it continues to crush opponents. The Black Bears led 44-0 at the half as they beat first-year school James Clemens High 50-14 last week. Coach Jeremy Perkins’ one worry, special teams, was a strength as Austin blocked a punt for a safety. Running back Josh Walker had two carries for two touchdowns and 112 yards rushing in the Black Bears’ win. Florence junior quarterback Kendrick Doss’ 4-yard touchdown run with 7:08 left was the difference as the Falcons beat Hazel Green 21-14 last week. Doss had 19 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns, covering 23 and 4 yards. He completed 13-of-17 passes for 128 yards and a 30-yard touchdown pass to Roland Adams. Florence leads the all-time series 4-2.

The Daily picks: Austin 30, Florence 21

Sparkman (1-6, 1-4) at Decatur (3-2, 2-3)

Where: Ogle Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8

Last year: Decatur won 48-3.

The skinny: The Red Raiders own the tiebreakers against 2-3 Hazel Green and 2-3 Buckhorn, but a win is a must if they want that fourth playoff spot. Decatur sacked Buckhorn quarterback Hunter Chapman seven times while holding the Bucks to 154 total yards in the Raiders’ 38-7 win last week. Jackson Fite passed for 118 yards and three touchdowns, and the Red Raiders had seven different players combine for 222 yards on the ground. Sparkman must rebound from a 15-0 loss to rival Bob Jones last week. The Senators defense came to play, but the punchless offense let the team down. Decatur is 11-3 all-time in the series.

The Daily picks: Decatur 24, Sparkman 7

Cullman (6-1, 4-1) at Athens (1-6, 1-4)

Where: Golden Eagle Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8

Last year: Did not play

The skinny: Cullman looks to solidify its No. 3 region seed and stay in the hunt for the region title. Athens hopes to finish a disappointing season on a strong note. Johnnie Anderson’ six catches for 177 yards was the one positive in the Eagles’ 23-7 loss last week to Russellville. Junior quarterback Tyler Glenn had 173 yards passing and four touchdown passes to lead Cullman to a 38-0 win last week over Lawrence County. Athens leads the series 30-16-1.

The Daily picks: Cullman 28-7

Fort Payne (7-0, 5-0) at Brewer (1-6, 1-4)

Where: James Tucker Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 7

Last year: Did not play

The skinny: Fourth-ranked Fort Payne seeks to continue its sparkling season and seal a region title, while an upset would be one of the biggest in Patriots history. Brewer couldn’t make it two wins in a row last week as they fell 47-20 at Scottsboro. Weston Pritchett threw for 170 yards and a touchdown for the Patriots. The Brewer defense gave up 656 yards, including 533 on the ground. Fort Payne broke a school record with 55 points in the first half and cruised to a 57-0 win over Columbia. The Wildcats ran only six offensive plays in the first half that included three long punt returns. Fort Payne leads the all-time series 2-0.

The Daily picks: Fort Payne 50, Brewer 20

East Limestone (3-4, 2-3) at Hartselle (5-2, 4-1)

Where: J.P. Cain Stadium

What: Class 5A, Area 8

Last year: Did not play

The skinny: With an outside shot at a region title, ninth-ranked Hartselle is fighting for home field in the first round of the playoffs. East Limestone still has a remote chance at a playoff berth. The Tigers shook off the previous week’s loss to top-ranked Muscle Shoals and pounded West Point 45-0. Toby Swins had three sacks and another tackle for loss for a Tigers defense that held West point to minus-20 yards rushing. Jalen Jackson and Garrett Fowler each added an interception. Matthew Franks threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tristian Matthews on East Limestone’s first possession of the game, but Muscle Shoals scored 42 unanswered points for a 42-7 win. Hartselle leads the all-time series 2-0.

The Daily picks: Hartselle 30, East Limestone 7

Russellville (5-2, 3-2) at Lawrence County (2-5, 0-5)

Where: Red Devil Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8

Last year: Russellville won 38-12.

The skinny: Russellville needs to keep winning to stay in the playoff picture. Lawrence County is seeking its first win in Class 5A. The Red Devils have been outscored 251-26 this season. They had only 109 yards in last week’s 38-0 loss. Russellville scored 16 second-half points to pull away to a 23-7 win over Athens last week. Johnnie Anderson led the Golden Tigers with six catches for 67 yards and a fumble recovery.

The Daily picks: Russellville 22, Lawrence County 7

Ardmore (5-2, 3-2) at Madison County (6-1, 5-0)

Where: Madison County Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 7

Last year: Did not play

The skinny: Seventh-ranked Madison County is seeking a region title while Ardmore is fighting for a playoff berth. Tyler McCarley rushed for three touchdowns to lead the Tigers in a 38-14 win last week versus Pope John Paul II. Ardmore had 330 yards rushing in the victory. Jackson Richard and LaQuante Bone hooked up on three first-half touchdowns to lead the Tigers to the a 54-0 thumping of DAR last week. Madison County leads the all-time series 7-5.

The Daily picks: Madison County 20, Ardmore 14

Wilson (4-3, 3-2) at East Lawrence (2-5, 1-4)

Where: Eagle Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8

Last year: East Lawrence won 49-42

The skinny: Wilson is battling for its playoff life while a win would be a big boost for struggling East Lawrence. A fumble return and an interception return for touchdowns led to the Eagles’ 41-22 loss to Brooks last week. Wilson will have to overcome the disappointment of a 19-13 overtime loss to Brooks last week. Jason Futrell had 119 yards rushing on 32 carries and a touchdown catch for Wilson. Wilson leads the all-time series 6-4.

The Daily picks: Wilson 14, East Lawrence 13

Priceville (2-5, 0-5) at West Limestone (3-4, 1-4)

Where: James Kennemer Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8

Last year: West Limestone won 70-20

The skinny: Both teams just want a win because the playoffs are out of the picture. Priceville put the points on the board but its defense couldn’t stop Haleyville last week in a 63-38 loss. Nick Bell led the Bulldogs with a 6-yard touchdown pass and a 50-yard interception return for a score. West Limestone will have to put a 21-19 heartbreaking loss to Rogers last week behind it. Dillon Miller scored with 21 seconds left to play, but a two-point conversion failed. The all-time series is even at 2.

The Daily pick: West Limestone 21, Priceville 20

Clements (0-7, 0-5) at Colbert County (5-2, 3-2)

Where: C.T. Manley Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Colbert County won 20-6

The skinny: Colbert County is coming off consecutive losses to Lauderdale County and Deshler. The Indians turned the ball over seven times last week against Deshler. Clements has struggled since taking West Limestone to four overtimes in the season opener, getting outscored 242-35 during that span. Jimmy Marsh scored Clements’ lone touchdown last week in a loss to Elkmont. Colbert County leads the series 3-1.

The Daily picks: Colbert County 35, Clements 6

Danville (3-4, 2-3) at Hanceville (4-3, 3-2)

Where: Ray Talley Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 7 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: This is a must-win for Danville. The Hawks need to win their final two Region 7 games against Hanceville and Hamilton to remain in contention for a playoff berth. Danville is coming off a Region 7 loss to previously winless Cordova. Justin Morgan threw two touchdown passes for Danville in the loss. Hanceville has won four straight since opening the season 0-3. Led by linebacker Sheldon Lewis, Hanceville’s defense has given up just four touchdowns during this winning streak. Danville leads the series 9-3.

The Daily picks: Hanceville 20, Danville 14

Elkmont (2-5, 1-4) at Deshler (4-3, 3-2)

Where: Howard Chappell Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Currently on a three-game winning streak, Deshler can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Deshler got strong performances in three phases of the game last week in a win against Colbert County, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. The Tigers forced seven turnovers in the game. Dustin Ward has been a bright spot for Elkmont. He had a rushing touchdown and recorded 7.5 tackles, including two sacks, last week in a win against Clements. Deshler leads the series 1-0.

The Daily picks: Deshler 42, Elkmont 14

West Morgan (1-6, 1-4) at Madison Academy (5-2, 5-0)

Where: Mustang Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8 game

Last season: Madison Academy won 37-8

The skinny: West Morgan is trying to snap a five-game losing streak. The Rebels were held to just 45 yards last week in a loss to Lauderdale County. Madison Academy running back Kerryon Johnson is one of the top sophomore prospects in the state. Johnson ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries last week in a win against Westminster Christian. Madison Academy leads the series 3-2.

The Daily picks: Madison Academy 35, West Morgan 7

Hatton (3-4. 3-2) at Tanner (7-0, 5-0)

Where: Rip Swanner Stadium

What: Class 2A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Top-ranked Tanner hasn’t shown any signs of weakness this season. The Rattlers have outscored opponents 326-54. Tanner running back Hayden Stephens ran for 199 yards last week against Sheffield. Stephens has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game except two. With two Region 8 games remaining, Hatton remains in contention for a playoff spot. The Hornets need to win one of their final two region games to clinch a spot. Led by Romie Senior, Hatton used its running game last week to beat Colbert Heights. Tanner leads the series 9-7.

The Daily picks: Tanner 49, Hatton 14

Decatur Heritage (3-4, 2-3) at Vina (0-7, 0-5)

Where: Red Devils Stadium

What: Class 1A, Region 8 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Decatur Heritage still has a chance to make the playoffs, but the Eagles have to win their final two Region 8 games against Vina and R.A. Hubbard. Lee Godwin scored three touchdowns last week in Decatur Heritage’s win against Waterloo, while quarterback Jordan Holland completed 10-of-14 passes for 118 yards. Vina is giving up 44.1 points per game.

The Daily picks: Decatur Heritage 34, Vina 13

Falkville (6-0, 5-0) at Addison (5-2, 5-1)

Where: A.G. Hicks Stadium

What: Class 1A, Region 6 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Falkville is enjoying its best season since 1992, when the Blue Devils finished with a 9-2 record. Falkville running back Hunter Woodall is one of the area’s leading rushers. The winner of this game secures home-field advantage in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs. Addison’s defense has been one of the best in the region. Since opening the season 0-2, the Bulldogs have won five straight, giving up just one touchdown during that span.

The Daily picks: Falkville 14, Addison 13

Waterloo (1-6, 1-4) at R.A. Hubbard (4-3, 3-2)

Where: R.A. Hubbard Stadium

What: Class 1A, Region 8 game

Last season: R.A. Hubbard won 36-8

The skinny: After struggling with consistency in the first half of the season, R.A. Hubbard appears to be finding its stride. The Chiefs have won two straight, outscoring Tharptown and Vina 96-22 during that span. John Owens ran for 110 yards and scored three touchdowns last week against Vina. R.A. Hubbard has never lost to Waterloo, leading the series 10-0.

The Daily picks: R.A. Hubbard 40, Waterloo 12

Compiled by Justin Graves and Bayne Hughes