At long last, the high school football season kicks off this weekend and Baldwin County features just a few of the smattering of quality matchups to get things started.

Although there are great games throughout the state, Gulf Coast Media compiled three games to watch where both teams will be representing Baldwin County.

For more on the local football games this weekend, head to Gulf Coast Media's Facebook page to catch up on Tuesday's media day event where the coaches previewed the upcoming games and overall season.

Gulf Shores Dolphins at St. Michael Catholic Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.

The Dolphins and Cardinals will be among the first teams in the Alabama High School Athletic Association to start their season when they kick off Thursday night at W. C. Majors Field at Fairhope Municipal Stadium.

Now only one classification apart after Gulf Shores went down to Class 5A, both teams narrowly missed the playoffs last year but have recharged and look primed to contend in their classification's Region 1.

The contest features the 17-year NFL veteran and St. Michael head coach Philip Rivers on one side with a group of tight-knit Cardinals fresh off a team retreat. On the Dolphins' side includes Ronnie Royal, who was recently named to MaxPreps' preseason all-American second-team offense after being named Rivals' No. 1 all-purpose back recruit in the nation for the Class of 2024.

Spanish Fort Toros at Fairhope Pirates, Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

With rosters featuring around 30 seniors each, the Spanish Fort and Fairhope football programs boast plenty of tradition in this season-kickoff contest. Those customs have clashed to open the last three seasons and has developed into another tradition between the Toros and Pirates.

"A program like Fairhope and a coach like Tim Carter, that community has become a great rivalry," Spanish Fort head coach Chase Smith said. "Opening up, that's going to be a big-time game, it's going to be two very well-coached, great teams."

The Toros won last year's meeting 21-10 but the Pirates took the 2020 meeting by a 45-34 score.

Bayside Academy Admirals at Elberta Warriors, Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

A new regional opponent of Gulf Shores', the Elberta Warriors will play host to the Bayside Academy Admirals in another game with local intrigue.

Although they're similarly only one classification away from each other now, Bayside only moved up to Class 4A by one student and a half while Elberta remained in 5A by just one student.

Despite the size differences in the schools, the football teams will matchup on the gridiron with plenty of experience on both sidelines, including the Admirals' defensive end Cooper White (6-0, 215 pounds) who will meet with the Warriors' offensive line and five-year starter center Cason White (6-0, 290 pounds) in the trenches.