The time has finally come to kick off regular-season football once again in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

There are some intriguing matchups for Baldwin County teams in Week 1, including games that pit local teams against each other. Be sure to follow @GCMSportsAL on social media for live updates from the sidelines and stay tuned to gulfcoastmedia.com/sports for more coverage.

Fairhope Pirates at Spanish Fort Toros: Thursday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
After last year’s game turned into an instant classic with a walk-off pick-six from Fairhope, the Eastern Shore rivals will line up on The Hill in Spanish Fort for the teams’ eighth meeting. The Toros own a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series where the three previous games played in Spanish Fort were won by the hosts.

It will be a clash of senior-laden teams featuring new offensive weapons as well as some familiar heavy hitters on defense.

Key matchup: Spanish Fort DE Cole McConathy, LB Sterling Dixon vs. Fairhope offensive line

St. Michael Catholic Cardinals at Gulf Shores Dolphins: Thursday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
The young St. Michael squad gets another early road test after a jamboree trip to Spanish Fort last week. This week, it’s Gulf Shores’ home opener coming off a historic season and a trip to the state quarterfinals.

These teams also met last year to open the season in non-region action, but it will also be a rematch between opposite play callers.

Dolphin defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and Cardinal head coach Philip Rivers both spent time in the NFL and met in a Week 13 contest on Nov. 30, 2008. Van Gorder was defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons and helped lead a 22-16 win over the San Diego Chargers with Rivers at quarterback.

Now, Van Gorder will gameplan against Rivers’ son, Gunner, a freshman who is taking over the St. Michael offense this season.

Key matchup: Gulf Shores ATH Ronnie Royal vs. St. Michael secondary

Elberta Warriors at Bayside Academy Admirals: Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.
The first home game of the Barrett Trotter era at Class 4A Bayside Academy brings the Class 5A Elberta Warriors to the Bluff for an intra-county contest.
Trotter and his new staff will be taking on new coordinators from Elberta with talented athletes all over the field.

Another rematch of last year’s season opener, the Admirals will be looking for a fourth-straight win in the all-time series after they stopped a two-point conversion in the final two minutes of last year’s game.

It’s the first of two straight home games to start the season for Bayside Academy before region play starts Week 3. Elberta’s home opener next week will kick off its region campaign.

Key matchup: Bayside Academy OL Graham Uter vs. Elberta LB Corbitt Williams

Below are the rest of Baldwin County’s Week 1 contests. Follow @GCMSportsAL on social media for live updates, and visit gulfcoastmedia.com/sports for full coverage.

Daphne Trojans at Murphy Panthers

Teams are an even 6-6 in the all-time series where Daphne is on a three-game win streak.

Milton Panthers at Orange Beach Makos
Another border battle with a Florida team to open the season for Orange Beach after the Makos beat Pensacola 28-20 last year.

Prattville Lions at Foley Lions
Foley looking to flip the script on Prattville’s 7-1 lead in the all-time series.

Snook Christian Eagles at Rocky Bayou Knights
Rocky Bayou Christian has won the teams’ previous two meetings, this will be the first of a three-game road trip for Snook.