The Gulf Coast Media Game of the Week for Round 1 of the Alabama state playoffs features the Bayside Academy Admirals on a nine-game winning streak and looking to defend its home turf Friday night against the Houston Academy Raiders.

The Admirals, champions of Region 1, are 9-1 and have not lost a home playoff game since 2021. Bayside's only loss came in the season opener against St. Michael. Since then, the Admirals have rolled through opponents and now sit two wins away from tying the program record for most victories in a single season (11), a mark they've reached multiple times in team history.

Houston Academy, the 2024 Class 3A runner-ups, enter at 6-4 after going 13-2 a season ago. This year marks the first time in three seasons the Raiders haven't reached double-digit wins.

The teams have met twice before — in 2020 and 2021 — with Bayside winning both by multiple scores. Friday will mark their first-ever postseason meeting.

Sophomore quarterback Davis Barnett leads the Admirals' offense, ranking third among Baldwin County passers with 2,190 yards and 30 touchdowns. His top target, junior Walker Collins, has recorded 565 yards and eight touchdowns, while Monroe Partin, Caid Lyons, Bo Miller and Ladd Powers have combined for 1,083 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Partin, a senior linebacker committed to Wake Forest, anchors the defense along with fellow seniors Cain, Billy Neill and Will Allen. Cain leads the team in interceptions (three), Neill has a team-high 108 tackles, and Allen is a nightmare in opposing backfields with 11 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss.

For Houston Academy, senior quarterback Judson Harris directs a balanced offense with 1,050 passing yards, 304 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns. His top target, junior Wilson Parrish, has totaled 680 yards and eight scores.

Defensively, junior linebacker Brody Conner leads the Raiders with 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Helping him counter the Admirals passing attack will be a pair of lanky defensive backs in Parrish and junior Whit Price who combine for three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

Kickoff for the first-round playoff matchup is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, on the Bayside Academy campus.