Editor’s Note: This is the final article in a series of articles looking at the top games on the docket for each area football team.
The Edgewood football team has only lost one region game in each of the last two seasons but those defeats became detrimental in the team’s fight for a region title. While the Wildcats have returned to being a contender in AISA-AA, they still have not claimed the top spot in their region since 2015 and much of that was due to being partnered with two-time defending state champion Autauga.
This year, Edgewood has parted from the Generals’ region and has its eyes on getting on top of the standings. However, before the competition in Region 1 begins, the Wildcats will be ushering in new coach Chad Michael.
Week 0 at Southern Cougars
Michael’s debut game with the Wildcats will be on the road against a team they have not faced since 2009. Edgewood will make the trip down to Greensboro for a chance to compete against the reigning AISA-A state champions.
Southern finished last season with a 10-1 record, avenging its lone loss in the title game with a 14-8 win over Chambers. The Cougars have made the move up to AA so this may not be the only meeting between these two teams during the 2020 season.
Southern leads the all-time series between the two teams, winning eight of the 12 games but they have met only twice since 1987.
Week 4 at Macon-East Knights
A trip to Michael’s former school will mark the first road trip of region play for the Wildcats. Macon-East has moved back to AA after two years at the AISA’s highest classification and they have moved into a region with the Wildcats after becoming familiar foes over the last few years.
The two teams have met four times in the last six seasons with the Wildcats taking three victories, including last season’s 70-69 thriller in double overtime. The Knights still lead the all-time series, winning seven of the 12 meetings with the two teams nearly coming out even on the scoreboard with Edgewood leading 293-292.
Week 7 vs. Chambers Rebels
Edgewood will welcome another new challenger into its region this year as Chambers makes the move up to AA after making five consecutive championship game appearances in A. Coach Jason Allen has led the Rebels to four straight region titles, not losing to a region opponent since 2015, and a change in classification may not slow them down.
The game will come after two straight weeks off from region play for the Wildcats and victory could put them right on track to reach the region title themselves.
The two programs have played 18 times, meeting for the first time in 1971, with Chambers leading the all-time series 11-7. This will be the first matchup since 2003.
