The regular season is drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean we are without fun.

If anything, we are just getting started.

All nine programs in The Times’ coverage will take the field

together Friday for the last time this fall — and there is more than enough suspense to go around. There’s a region title on the line as well as potential playoff berths and seeding clarity.

I’ll do my best to explain the latter with each local team.

Before we get to it, though, remember to please visit www.cullmantimes.com, The Cullman Times Facebook or Twitter (@winfreyjake) for prep football coverage.

---

Class 1A, Region 7

Phillips (2-6, 2-4) at Addison (5-4, 4-2)

The Bulldogs won’t have any trouble closing out the regular season with a victory Friday night.

Phillips is averaging just 9.5 points per game and won’t be able to keep up with the home team.

Postseason Skinny: Addison has already clinched the No. 3 seed in its region.

My Pick: Addison

---

Class 2A, Region 6

Falkville (4-4, 3-2) at Cold Springs (4-5, 2-3)

According to the history books, the Eagles will have their hands full Friday night.

The Blue Devils have won three straight against Cold Springs and lead the all-time series 27-5.

Regardless, it’s a must-win game if the Eagles want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Postseason Skinny: Should Cold Springs defeat Falkville, it would notch the No. 3 seed in the region should Cleveland also beat Susan Moore. If Susan Moore wins, though, the Eagles would then need a win by the Bulldogs over North Sand Mountain next week in order to clinch a postseason berth. There could be more to this particular tiebreaker, but this is the simplest path.

My Pick: Falkville

---

Non-Region Game

Buckhorn (4-4, 3-3) at Cullman (5-4, 3-3)

The Bearcats will close out the regular season with a non-region matchup Friday night.

Cullman is looking for its third straight win — and that should happen against the Bucks.

Why? I just think the Black and Gold is a better team.

Postseason Skinny: Barring a Decatur victory versus Athens — unless, of course, Columbia snaps its 89-game losing skid against Jasper to help out the Bearcats — Cullman is locked in as the No. 4 seed in the region.

My Pick: Cullman

---

Class 5A, Region 7

East Limestone (1-7, 0-5) at Fairview (7-0, 5-0)

I don’t believe the No. 4 Aggies are due for an upset loss Friday night.

And like Forrest Gump, that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Postseason Skinny: Fairview has already clinched the region title and a No. 1 seed.

My Pick: Fairview

---

Class 4A, Region 6

Dora (6-3, 6-0) at Good Hope (8-0, 6-0)

There’s one specific matchup I’m really looking forward to Friday night.

Good Hope’s vaunted defense (ranked first in both Class 4A and the state) against Dora running back Jayden

Griffin (2,113 yards and 30 touchdowns).

The victor of that clash will almost assuredly decide the victor of this winner-take-all game.

Can’t pick against the fifth-ranked Raiders here.

Postseason Skinny: Good Hope will be the No. 1 seed with a win or the No. 2 seed with a loss.

My Pick: Good Hope

---

Class 3A, Region 5

Phil Campbell (2-6, 2-4) at Hanceville (1-7, 1-5)

The Bulldogs will wrap up region play Friday night looking for their first win since Week 4.

These programs have never met on the gridiron — and I’m honestly not sure what to expect.

Both defenses have struggled at times, so it could be a matter of which offense gets rolling early.

Postseason Skinny: Hanceville has been eliminated from playoff contention.

My Pick: Phil Campbell

---

Class 3A, Region 8

Collinsville (5-3, 3-3) at Holly Pond (3-5, 2-4)

These teams have a bit in common entering Friday night’s matchup.

Both have lost to heavy favorites (Fyffe, Geraldine and Sylvania) so far this season and both have taken care of business against heavy underdogs (Asbury and Brindlee Mountain).

The lone difference is that Collinsville beat Whitesburg Christian, which beat the Broncos.

Postseason Skinny: Holly Pond would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss. Should the Broncos knock off the Panthers, though, they would also need Asbury to down Whitesburg Christian Friday night in order to secure a postseason berth.

My Pick: Collinsville

---

Class 3A, Region 5

Winfield (8-1, 6-0) at Vinemont (7-2, 4-2)

The Eagles officially clinched their fifth straight postseason berth with a win over Oakman last week.

Now, they’ll have the chance Friday night to keep those vibes going against the ninth-ranked Pirates.

Winfield has put together another superb campaign, winning eight straight since a Week 1 loss to 5A

No. 7 Corner and securing its fifth region title under 12th-year coach David McKinney.

The road team is also 10-2 all-time against Vinemont, which I think will put up a good fight.

Postseason Skinny: Win or lose, Vinemont will enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the region.

My Pick: Winfield

---

Class 5A, Region 7

West Point (2-6, 2-3) at Ardmore (6-2, 3-2)

The Warriors need to beat the Tigers in order to achieve one of their goals. That’s it and that’s all.

West Point does have promising history on its side (6-0 all-time versus Ardmore) and has netted two victories in its past three games.

Ardmore, though, is putting together its best season under coach Jonathan Snider.

I think this one could be close — no matter the outcome.

Postseason Skinny: A West Point win against Ardmore would result in a three-way tie with Lawrence County for the final two spots in the region. The Red Devils — according to my research and after speaking with both coaches — would claim that tiebreaker, resulting in the No. 4 seed being decided by Friday’s head-to-head result.

My Pick: Ardmore

Season Record: 56-13