Here are five games to watch in the Birmingham area this week. The complete schedule follows.

PARKER (1-0) AT RAMSAY (1-0)

Time/location: Thursday, 7 p.m., Legion Field, Birmingham

Last week: Parker beat Fairfield 55-0 and Ramsay downed Hueytown 28-14.

The skinny: Ramsay leads the series 8-6, but Parker has won the past two meetings, including 34-18 last season.

Parker’s defensive front is stout with 4-star Alabama commit Jeremiah Beaman, 4-star Jourdin Crawford (Alabama and Auburn offers) and Phillip Davidson. Davion Lake and Carlton Duncan shine at LB while 5-star Naeem Offord (Alabama and Auburn offers), 4-star Timothy Merritt and Eric Tarrant are shutdown DBs. Parker’s offense is keyed by QB Malik Muhammad with A’mari Brundidge and Martavius Purnell handling the load at RB. Jeremiah Jelks is a top target at WR and Jamarcus Smith leads a solid group at OL.

Ramsay also relies on a solid defense with 3-star QB Reese (Alabama offer) and Marquel Patterson making plenty of stops. The front features DL Demarcus Wynn and DE Cameron Carson while the secondary is led by SS Jamarcus Jones and DB Fletcher Taylor (Marshall offer). North Alabama RB commit Ashton Ashford was the Class 5A championship game MVP last season and he runs behind an OL anchored by Lance Johnson. Kameron Keenan is solid at QB while receivers Tre’Mell Washington and Kristian Stinson are always dangerous.

BUCKHORN (1-0) AT HELENA (1-0)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Husky Stadium, Helena

Last week: Buckhorn beat Madison County 42-25 and Helena beat Chelsea 50-14.

The skinny: Helena won last year’s game 55-17, the only meeting between the teams.

Buckhorn is led by an explosive backfield with Shamarion Landrum (202 yards, 3 TDs last week) and Cameron Swain (107, yards 2 TDs). Devan Chapman can be a weapon at WR (2 catches, 40 yards, TD) while Nathan Sayle is the OL bell cow. LB Cohen Fielder (12 tackles) makes stops as does SS Henry Howard (9 tackles, 2 PBU). The front is capable with DE EJ Hall (7 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks) making the biggest impact.

Helena features a run-heavy offense with 3-star RB Jordan Washington the focus while QB Carson Acker distributes the ball around enough to keep the defense honest. Hunter Hale and Torrey Ward are standouts at receiver and both can score from anywhere. The defense is led by a strong LB group that includes Joseph Roberto (UAB, Maryland and more offers) and Memphis commit Nathan Thomason while Parker Copeland handles the tough duties at DL. JT Alvis at DB has offers from Mississippi State, Penn State and more while Kevin Pinkard is also strong in the last line of defense.

CLAY-CHALKVILLE (1-0) AT HUEYTOWN (1-0)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Hueytown Stadium, Hueytown

Last week: Clay-Chalkville beat Briarwood 31-0 and Hueytown fell to Ramsay 28-14.

The skinny: Clay-Chalkville has won all four games, including 42-8 last season.

Clay-Chalkville’s offense is dynamic with 5-star Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe, who’s a threat with his feet and arm, running the show at QB. It helps that 4-star WR Mario Craver (Alabama, Auburn and more offers) can turn short passes into TDs. RB is strong with Taurus Chambers and Aaron Osley battering defenses behind an OL anchored by 4-star Oregon commit Jac’Qawn McRoy. 4-star Auburn commit DJ Barber roams at LB while 3-star Arkansas commit Revis Metcalf locks down opposing receivers.

Hueytown held a good Ramsay offense to 28 points last week with Keith Green and Kole Caldwell handling the point of attack on the DL. Jacob Hanberry makes plenty of tackles from his LB position while Kam Kynard and Onterrio Sealie handle clean up at DB. Jebron Ellington keys the offense at QB with Elijah Hudson running behind Jordan Groom at OL. Receivers are a threat with Dacorian Thomas and TJ Howell.

OAK MOUNTAIN (1-0) AT PELHAM (1-0)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Ned Bearden Stadium, Pelham

Last week: Oak Mountain beat Northridge 38-30 and Pelham downed Jackson-Olin 21-6.

The skinny: Pelham leads the series 11-6, but Oak Mountain has won four straight, including 21-17 last season.

Oak Mountain’s offense goes as does QB Will O’Dell, who contributed the bulk of yardage last week. RBs Lee Meadows and Marty Myricks provide excitement behind a line that features C Colton Cason. On defense, LBs Jacob Porco and Colton Moore are expected to make stops while Sean Ray leads at defensive back, but Jayden Aparicio is a rising star at DB and WR.

Pelham counters with its own playmaker at QB in Clayton Mains, who can win on the ground or through the air. RB Mike Grayson finds holes behind an OL anchored by Cash Tatum and Tyler Mason. The defense is led by 3-star South Alabama commit Will Felton and Navy commit Bishop Rellah creating havoc while James Schmucker and Uriah Barginere man the trenches. Markell Bell leads at DB.

PINSON VALLEY (1-0) AT MCADORY (0-1)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., McAdory Stadium, McCalla

Last week: Pinson Valley beat Florence and McAdory lost to Oxford 33-23.

The skinny: Pinson Valley leads the series 12-11 and has won four straight, including 21-13 last season.

Pinson Valley QB Dylan Reese had 190 yards passing and a rushing TD last week while Joshua Woods and Dreshawn Thomas are RB standouts behind an OL that features Taft Price. WRs Keywone Posey and Rico Freeman make plays. LBs Cam Benefield (12 tackles last week) and Jamaricus Thomas (7 tackles, sack) lead the defense. The line is led by Reco English while Kaden Edwards (3 INT last week) and Byron Quates (7 tackles) handle DB duties.

McAdory hasn’t lost two straight to start the season since 2019. QB Jacob Clopton leads the offense that features 3-star receiver JaCorey Whitted (Alabama, Auburn and more offers) and Tavaris Coles (Arkansas State offer). The line is anchored by C Christian Miller. The defense is strong at LB with J’Quan Mason and Erik Lessars while Marquese Brown is at DL and Nate Nwagwu (Marshall offer) and Jack Sewell key the back end.

The complete schedule follows. All games are at 7 p.m. unless noted.

THURSDAY

Central-Tuscaloosa at Woodlawn

Mountain Brook at James Clemens

Parker at Ramsay

IMG Academy at Thompson (Cancelled)

FRIDAY

Bessemer City at Tuscaloosa County

Briarwood at Spain Park

Buckhorn at Helena

Calera at Chelsea

Center Point at Aliceville

Clay-Chalkville at Hueytown

Fairfield at Shades Valley

Fultondale at Carver

Gardendale at North Gwinnett GA

Hartselle at Jackson-Olin

Hewitt-Trussville at Gadsden City

Leeds at Pell City

Marbury at John Carroll

Midfield at Wenonah

Minor at Paul Bryant

Montevallo at Shelby County

Moody at Sylacauga

Oak Grove (Miss.) at Hoover

Oak Mountain at Pelham

Pinson Valley at McAdory

Sparkman at Huffman

Springville at Mortimer Jordan

St. Clair County at Corner

Vestavia Hills at Homewood

White Plains at Oak Grove

Winterboro at Vincent