Here are five games to watch in the Birmingham area this week with teams competing in Round 2 of AHSAA playoffs and AISA championships.

RELATED: Vote for the Birmingham area player of the week.

Lots of Birmingham-area matchups between ranked teams this week in AHSAA action while Banks Academy plays in its first AISA title game.

The complete schedule follows.

AHSAA CLASS 6A PLAYOFFS

HELENA (9-2) AT HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA (11-0)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Roy Johnson Jr. Stadium, Tuscaloosa

Last week: Helena beat Wetumpka 58-28 and Hillcrest beat St. Paul’s 20-6.

The skinny: It’s the first meeting between the teams. Helena is ranked No. 11 while Hillcrest is No. 3. Helena averages 37.2 points a game and allows 16.7 while Hillcrest scores 40.8 points and surrenders 7.1.

Winner plays: Saraland at Briarwood winner

Coaches: Richie Busby (84-38, 11th season) has taken Helena (44-21, 6th season) to the playoffs four times. He also coached at Fultondale (40-17, 5 years) with five playoff appearances. Jamie Mitchell (253-85, 28th season) came to Hillcrest (33-4, 3rd year) in 2021 and has reached the playoffs each season, winning to the semifinals in 2021. Mitchell took over at Shades Valley (4-8, 1 year) in 2020 after successful stints in Mississippi and Arkansas, where posted a 216-73 record in 23 seasons.

HELENA players to watch: Offense — 3-star RB Jordan Washington (offers from UAB, Memphis, Tulane, more), WR/Return specialist Hunter Hale, WR Nathan Jones, QB Carson Acker, OL Reece Mims, OL Grant Vines. Defense — LB Joseph Roberto (offers from Maryland, UAB, Washington State, more), 3-star LB Nathan Thomason (Memphis commit), DL Parker Copeland, 3-star DB JT Alvis (offers from Mississippi State, Missouri, Penn State, more), DB Kevin Pinkard, DB Desmon James (offers UT-Martin, Tennessee-Chattanooga), DB Eli Ray.

HILLCREST players to watch: Offense — 4-star ATH/CB TJ Banks (Ole Miss commit), WR Jamarcus Prince, QB Bryson Kimbrough, TE Jackson Henderson, OL Andreas Ross. Defense — LB AJ Quarrels, DL Jalen McIver.

AHSAA CLASS 7A PLAYOFFS

HOOVER (5-6) AT HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE (8-3)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Hewitt-Trussville Stadium, Trussville

Last week: Hoover beat James Clemens 42-16 and Hewitt-Trussville beat Bob Jones 56-14.

The skinny: Hoover leads the series 22-5, but Hewitt-Trussville won 28-7 earlier this season, breaking a six game losing streak. Hoover is unranked and Hewitt-Trussville is ranked No. 9. Hoover scores 26.7 points a game and gives up 22.1 while Hewitt-Trussville averages 40.3 and allows 22.5 points.

Winner plays: Vestavia Hills at Thompson winner

Coaches: Wade Waldrop (116-83, 18 years) coached at Chelsea (41-34, 7 years) with four trips to the playoffs, James Clemens (54-35, 8 years) with six playoff appearances and one year at Florence (5-6) with a spot in the playoffs before taking over at Hoover (16-8) last season when the Bucs fell in semifinal playoff action. Josh Floyd (180-63-1, 20th season) was hired at Hewitt-Trussville (81-34, 10th year) in 2014 and has appeared in the playoffs nine times, reaching the second round six of those. Floyd moved from Arkansas where he coached at Shiloh Christian (99-29, 10 years), leading the Saints to four state championships and another trip to the title game.

HOOVER players to watch: Offense — 4-star QB/ATH Jonah Winston (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, more), WR Jordan Woolen (Georgia Southern commit), TE Chris Warren, RB Freddy Dunson, OL Rashad Smith. Defense — 4-star LB Bradley Shaw (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Notre Dame, more), 3-star S Jeremy Cook (Arkansas commit), CB Tre Darden (offers from Mississippi State and UAB), DL Pa Drammeh, DL Michael Nixon.

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE players to watch: Offense — TE Donovan Price (offers from UAB, Tulane, Austin Peay, more), QB Peyton Floyd, WR Jacob Serena, WR Jadon Loving, 3-star OL Kade Martin (offers from Nebraska, UCF, Arkansas State, Jacksonville State, more), OL Trevor Pruet. Defense — DB Riggs Dunn, DL Tyrell Averhart, DE Ayden Moore, DE Drew Ollis.

AHSAA CLASS 5A PLAYOFFS

LEEDS (9-2) AT RAMSAY (9-2)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Legion Field

Last week: Leeds beat Arab 33-7 and Ramsay downed West Point 50-0.

The skinny: Ramsay leads the series 2-1, including a 26-19 win in last year’s second round of playoffs. Leeds is ranked No. 5 and Ramsay is No. 2. Leeds averages 30.3 points a game and allows 14 with two shutouts while Ramsay scores 38.5 points and surrenders 10.1 points with three shutouts.

Winner plays: Russellville at Moody winner

Coaches: Jerry Hood (144-68, 18th season) took the job at Leeds (41-16, 5th year) in 2019 and the Green Wave has its fourth straight playoff appearance, winning to the third round last season after previous head coaching stops at Clay-Chalkville (75-26, 8 years), where he led the Cougars to the Class 6A 2014 championship and the title game in 2015, and Oak Mountain (28-26, 5 years). Ramsay is the first football head coaching job for Ronnie Jackson (28-9, 3rd season) and the Rams have made the playoffs each season, winning the 2022 Class 5A title and making it to the second round in 2021.

LEEDS players to watch: Offense — QB Conner Nelson, ATH Taylon Gaiter, RB ZJ Dale, RB Grayson Ford, 3-star OT Gavin Bowlin (offers from Georgia Tech, Louisville, Kentucky, UAB, more), OL Carlos Plascencia. Defense — 4-star DL Kavion Henderson (Arkansas commit), DL Chris Burge (UAB commit), DL Joseph Stone, LB Miles Jones, LB Will Ford, LB Josh Lee, DB Reece Bittner, DB Jeremiah Hall.

RAMSAY players to watch: Offense – 3-star QB Kameron Keenan (offers from Colorado, Marshall, Appalachian State), RB Ashton Ashford (UNA commit), WR Tremell Washington, WR Kristian Stinson, OL Lance Williams. Defense — 3-star LB QB Reese (Alabama commit), LB Marquel Patterson, DL Demarcus Wynn, DB Fletcher Taylor (Marshall offer), SS O’Conner Jones (Marshall offer).

AHSAA CLASS 6A PLAYOFFS

MOUNTAIN BROOK (8-3) AT CLAY-CHALKVILLE (10-0)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Cougar Stadium, Clay

Last week: Mountain Brook beat Buckhorn 35-14 and Clay Chalkville beat Cullman 49-6.

The skinny: Mountain Brook leads the series 8-3, but Clay-Chalkville won the last meeting in the 2021 semifinal round. Mountain Brook is ranked No. 8 and Clay-Chalkville is ranked No. 2. Mountain Brook averages 33.9 points a game and gives up 17.5 with three shutouts while Clay-Chalkville scores 42.1 points a game and allows 8.5 with three shutouts.

Winner plays: Fort Payne at Muscle Shoals winner

Coaches: Chris Yeager (178-84, 22nd season) led Mountain Brook (153-64, 18th year) to the Class 6A title game last season and has 14 playoff appearances, including four trips to at least the semifinal round. Yeager coached at Jasper (5-15, 2 years) with a playoff appearance and West Blocton (20-4, 2 years) with two playoff appearances. Drew Gilmer (77-12, 7th season) earned his first head coaching job with Clay-Chalkville in 2017, leading the Cougars to the playoffs all seven seasons, including winning the 2021 championship and two more trips to the semifinals.

MOUNTAIN BROOK players to watch: Offense — 3-star RB Cole Gamble (offers from UAB, Navy, UNA, more), RB Jack King, QB John Cooper (New Mexico State offer), TE JC Adams, OL Watts Alexander (offers from Cornell, UT-Chattanooga, Richmond, Samford), WR Hudson Young. Defense — DB Tucker Crawford, S Clyde Beavers, DB Hampton King, LB William Grier McDuffie, LB Drew Widener, DL James Hard, DL Rickey Whitworth.

CLAY-CHALKVILLE players to watch: Offense — 5-star QB/ATH Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama commit), 4-star WR Mario Craver (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, more), RB Aaron Osley, RB Taurus Chambers, 4-star OL Jac’Qawn McRoy (Oregon commit), OL AJ Williams (offers from Marshall, Austin Peay, more), OL Adrian Spivey. Defense — 4-star LB DJ Barber (Auburn commit), 3-star DB Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas commit), LB Rod Ivy, DE Avion Pickett, S Deion Gunn (Marshall offer).

AHSAA CLASS 7A PLAYOFFS

VESTAVIA HILLS (9-2) AT THOMPSON (9-1)

Time/location: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium, Alabaster

Last week: Vestavia Hills beat Austin 38-17 and Thompson beat Florence 42-0.

The skinny: Thompson leads the series 15-14, winning the last nine games with a 21-3 victory earlier this season. Vestavia Hills is ranked No. 6 and Thompson is No. 2. Vestavia Hills scores 34.7 points a game and gives up 12.6 with four shutouts while Thompson averages 40.8 and allows 9.8 points a game with three shutouts.

Winner plays: Hoover at Hewitt-Trussville winner

Coaches: Robert Evans (16-7, 2nd season) played for the Rebels and has taken the team to the playoffs both seasons, winning to the second round last year before falling to Thompson. Mark Freeman (256-56, 25th season) has guided the Warriors (92-19, 9th year) to four straight Class 7A championships and reached the title game five straight years. Freeman also has two state titles at Spanish Fort (50-7, 4 years) after coaching at Gulf Shores (13-9, 2 years) and he won four state championships at Bessemer Academy (101-21, 10 years).

VESTAVIA HILLS players to watch: Offense —QB John Paul Head (UAB baseball commit), RB William Tonsmeire, RB Caden Taylor, WR Keown Richardson, WR Chase Webb, WR Cooper Mollison, OL JD Livingston, OL Ford Brown, K Owen Simpson. Defense — LB Jacob Watson, LB Gibson Bean, DB Bo Shea, DB Kaden Daniels, S Spence Hanna, 5-star DE Jordan Ross (Tennessee commit), DL Chuck Hammock.

THOMPSON players to watch: Offense — QB Trent Seaborn (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, more), RB AJ Green (offers from Marshall, Arkansas State, more), RB Michael Dujon, WR Deuce Oliver (Eastern Kentucky offer), WR Colben Landrew (offers from Ole Miss, Louisville, more), WR Kolby Hearn. Defense — 3-star DB Kaleb Harris (Auburn commit), 4-star DB Anquon Fegans (offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, USC, Michigan, more), LB Jayden Davis, LB Tyler Hicks (offers from Austin Peay, UNA, Wofford).

COMPLETE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

(all games Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted)

CLASS 7A

South

Auburn (9-2) at Central-Phenix City (10-0)

Enterprise (9-2) at Mary Montgomery (11-0)

North

Hoover (5-6) at Hewitt-Trussville (8-3)

Vestavia Hills (9-2) at Thompson (9-1)

CLASS 6A

South

Saraland (11-0) at Briarwood Christian (6-5)

Helena (9-2) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (11-0)

Hueytown (8-3) at Benjamin Russell (9-2)

Spanish Fort (9-2) at Pike Road (9-2)

North

Oxford (9-2) at Parker (10-1)

Hartselle (9-2) at Gadsden City (8-3)

Fort Payne (7-4) at Muscle Shoals (10-0)

Mountain Brook (8-3) at Clay-Chalkville (10-0)

CLASS 5A

South

Charles Henderson (7-3) at Gulf Shores (11-0)

UMS-Wright (7-4) at Headland (9-2)

Demopolis (9-2) at B.C. Rain (8-3)

Faith Academy (8-3) at Eufaula (8-3)

North

Leeds (9-2) at Ramsay (9-2)

Russellville (9-2) at Moody (9-2)

Guntersville (10-1) at John Carroll (9-2)

Pleasant Grove (9-1) at Boaz (6-5)

CLASS 4A

South

Andalusia (10-1) at Jackson (10-0)

Handley (10-1) at B.T. Washington (7-4)

Jacksonville (9-2) at Bibb County (10-1)

T.R. Miller (8-3) at Montgomery Catholic (11-0)

North

Priceville (5-6) at Brooks (7-4)

Deshler (8-3) at Westminster Christian (9-2)

West Morgan (11-0) at Corner (10-1)

Haleyville (8-3) at Cherokee County (10-1)

CLASS 3A

South

Houston Academy (10-1) at Mobile Christian (11-0)

Trinity Presbyterian (10-1) at Flomaton (7-4)

Randolph County (10-1) at Saint James (9-2)

Thomasville (9-1) at Straughn (10-1)

North

Geraldine (10-1) at Gordo (10-1)

Lauderdale County (11-0) at Piedmont (6-5)

Mars Hill Bible (10-1) at Madison Academy (11-0)

Winfield (10-1) at Sylvania (9-2)

CLASS 2A

South

Clarke County (6-5) at Goshen (9-2)

Highland Home (10-1) at B.B. Comer (11-0)

Thorsby (9-2) at Reeltown (10-0)

Cottonwood (9-1) at Isabella (9-2)

North

Southeastern (7-3) at Tuscaloosa Academy (9-2)

Pisgah (10-1) at Tanner (8-3)

Lexington (7-4) at Fyffe (10-1)

Sulligent (9-2) at Locust Fork (11-0)

CLASS 1A

South

Georgiana (10-1) at Leroy (10-0)

Loachapoka (10-0) at Brantley (7-4)

Maplesville (7-4) at Sweet Water (9-1)

Millry (9-2) at Elba (11-0)

North

Lynn (10-1) at Coosa Christian (6-5)

Valley Head (8-3) at Hackleburg (10-1)

Winterboro (6-5) at Pickens County (8-3)

South Lamar (8-3) at Wadley (10-1)

AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Thursday at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)

CLASS AAA

Lee-Scott (10-1) vs. Glenwood (10-1), 7 p.m.

CLASS AA

Chambers Academy (11-1) vs. Banks Academy (11-1), 4 p.m.

CLASS A

Lowndes Academy (12-0) vs. Wilcox Academy (10-3), 1 p.m.

Some information provided by the Alabama High School Football Historical Society website.