Though the AHSAA high school football season opened officially Thursday night, it swings into full gear tonight.

At least 150 games are on tap for the first Friday of 2023. In maybe the biggest story, Rush Propst returns to an Alabama sideline as a head coach for the first time since 2007 as he debuts his Pell City team at Moody.

RELATED: Thursday’s HS scores

RELATED: Will Propst work at Pell City?

Other intriguing matchups include Central-Phenix City at Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn at Hoover, Thompson vs. Opelika in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic, St. Paul’s at UMS-Wright, Hartselle at Austin and reigning Class 6A champion Saraland hosting two-time Tennessee champ Lipscomb Academy on ESPN.

Check back frequently tonight for updates scores and highlights from Gulf Shores to Guntersville. Remember some games around the state will kick off at 7:30 or 8 p.m. due to the intense heat this week.

Here we go.

7 PM, Top 3 battle: No. 3 Hoover hosting No. 2 Auburn to kick off the 7A season tonight.

6:55 PM, Stay hydrated: It’s hot outside, folks. Students clamoring for water at Moody.

6:47 PM, Recruit watch: Foley WR and Auburn commit Perry Thompson opens his senior season at home tonight against Prattville. Patrick Greenfield is on the scene at Ivan Jones Stadium and will have highlights along the way.

6:45 PM, Good matchups on the Gulf Coast: There are several good matchups on the Gulf Coast in Week 1, including the two highlighted below. Theodore — in the return of Hall of Fame coach Steve Mask to the 251 area code — travels to Baker to take on Mississippi State QB commit Josh Flowers and Auburn WR commit Bryce Cain. Also, St. Paul’s travels to UMS-Wright to decide the annual Battle of Old Shell Road.

6:40 PM, Primetime matchup: National eyes will be on Saraland tonight where the reigning 6A champion Spartans host two-time reigning Tennessee champ Lipscomb Academy on ESPN. Plenty of star power on both sides of this one, including Saraland QB KJ Lacey (Texas commit) and reigning Mr. Football Ryan Williams (Alabama). Junior quarterback Deuce Knight, a transfer from Gautier, Miss., leads Lipscomb. Should be a nice battle of Saraland’s explosive offense vs. Lipscomb’s recruit-heavy defense.

6:30 PM, The champs are in town: Four-time reigning Class 7A champion Thompson has arrived at Cramton Bowl for its AHSAA Kickoff Classic game against Opelika. Kickoff in that one has been pushed back to 8 p.m. due to the extreme heat.

6:23 PM, Huge matchups abounds: So many huge matchups tonight, including Auburn traveling to Hoover. Tigers won this tame 17-14 last year as part of the AHSAA Kickoff Classic in Montgomery and went on to reach the 7A title game. Hoover rebounded from the loss to win 11 straight before falling to Thompson in the semifinals. Wade Waldrop enters Year No. 2 with the Bucs.

5:33 PM, Big night in Enterprise: The Wildcats are set to name the football field after former coach Bill Bacon. Bacon went 210-85-1 as head coach at Enterprise from 1974-2000. He took the Wildcats to the playoffs 17 times. Enterprise opens its season tonight against Eufaula.