Regular-season high school football is officially back this week with 12 Baldwin County teams scheduled for in-county kickoffs.

It’s all set to start in Fairhope Thursday night before Baldwin County, Elberta, Bayside Academy, Daphne, Robertsdale, Gulf Shores and Snook Christian have Friday night contests on the docket.

Follow @GCMSportsAL for immediate updates from the sidelines and visit gulfcoastmedia.com/sports for full coverage of the fall sports season.

Spanish Fort Toros at Fairhope Pirates: Thursday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.

The host Fairhope Pirates have won the last two meetings in dramatic fashion to even the all-time series at 4-4.

Nolan Phillips produced a 75-yard pick-six as time expired in regulation in 2022 then Desmond Thomas ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run in the final 4:08 of the 2023 contest.

Out of all eight previous games, only one was decided by more than two possessions. Fairhope’s new offensive scheme will be on display against a Toro defense that might only return a few starters but retain plenty of experience.

Orange Beach Makos at Elberta Warriors: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

A new in-county rivalry will be budding as schools 10 miles apart meet for the first time. The host Warriors will also unveil stadium upgrades at John T. Cobb Stadium.

“(That’s) a rivalry I’ve been wanting to start since I got to Elberta. Luckily the coaches down there were like, ‘Let’s do it, we’re 10 miles apart why not,’” Elberta head coach Nathan McDaniel said at Gulf Coast Media Day. “Our kids know each other, they see each other, it’s a great program and let’s kick this thing off. So, they’re going to come to us this year and we’re going to go to them next year so they can open up their new stadium, they’ve been great to work with.”

The game will serve as Wade Waldrop’s first at the helm of the Orange Beach Makos who will look to bring some power to shut down Elberta’s athletes.

St. Michael Cardinals at Bayside Academy Admirals: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

Another local rivalry that has come down to the wire the last two years, St. Michael will be searching for the program’s first-ever win over Bayside Academy in the teams’ fifth meeting.

Bayside Academy used a field goal from Joey Jones in the final 45.9 seconds of the 2022 game before Teague Broadhead supplied a touchdown run in overtime for a key region win.

This year, region standings will be unaffected as the Admirals moved down to Class 3A in the recent reclassification of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Other Week 1 matchups

Bayshore Christian Eagles at Fruitdale Pirates: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

The first varsity season in program history gets underway for Phil Lazenby and Bayshore Christian who played four junior-varsity games last year.

Chickasaw Chieftains at Robertsdale Golden Bears: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

The teams’ first meeting will serve as Cris Bell’s initial game as head football coach in Robertsdale. The Golden Bears will be looking to end a 24-game losing streak.

Choctawhatchee Indians at Gulf Shores Dolphins: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

The defending Class 5A state champions will start their season with a border war where Gulf Shores will be looking for its first win over a Floridian team in its sixth try.

Foley Lions at Baldwin County Tigers: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

Last year: Lions won 37-24. All-time series: Foley leads 52-39-3.

McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets at Daphne Trojans: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

Last meeting: Yellow Jackets won 28-24 in 2013. All-time series: McGill-Toolen leads 8-2.

Rocky Bayou Knights at Snook Christian Eagles: Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.

Last year: Knights won 42-13. All-time series: Rocky Bayou leads 4-1.