A region title game in September? That’s what we’ve got tonight

Today is Sept. 18 and the Region 8-5A title will be decided tonight.

Do what now?

Further explanation as to how that can be true follows, but I’m sure you can figure out the reason. It rhymes with stroma of iris. If you’re interested (which seems doubtful) what that word means, it’s a medical term that has something to do with the eyeball. I started reading about it on Wikipedia but my stroma of iris started hurting so I had to stop.

Anyway, here’s a look at the three Tipton County-area high school football games that will be played tonight:

What: Brighton (2-2) vs. Munford (3-1)

Where: Munford High School

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Cardinals to watch: QB Nick Harvell, RB Braxton Sharp, RB Ty Stark, TE Bryce Chaco, LB Gavin Haynes

Cougars to watch: QB Jaxon O’Neal, RB Auvic White, WR Kelton Mason, LB Jacoby Miguel, RB Traveon Hawkins

Story lines: It was announced on Tuesday that football for Shelby County Schools has been postponed indefinitely. Barring a shocking change of course, that means Brighton and Munford will be the only teams playing this year in Region 8-5A. Consequently, Friday’s game will almost certainly determine the region champ … Youth is being served in Brighton’s offensive backfield so far this year. Freshman Ty Stark and sophomore Braxton Sharp have been getting the majority of the carries … The last few years this has been a game of contrasting styles: Brighton’s spread offense vs. Munford’s run-heavy attack. Munford is running a spread this year so this should be more of an up-tempo game than it has been in the past … Munford beat Brighton last year, 17-14.  Auvic White and Jaxon O’Neal combined for 267 rushing yards in the Cougar win.

What: Covington (4-0) vs. Westview (4-0)

Where: Westview High School

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Chargers to watch: RB Marcus Hayes, QB Carson Ruffin, RB Eumorrion Flowers, RB Jamarion Dowell, LB Lareko Burton

Story lines: Keep an eye on Westview quarterback Ty Simpson. He’s one of the best Class of 2022 quarterbacks in the country and has offers from 31 schools, including Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson, Baylor, LSU, Oregon and Memphis. Rivals has him ranked as the 32nd-best prospect in the country and the third-best pro-style quarterback in his class … While Covington’s offense has been doing what it always does – rack up tons of rushing yardage – the defense’s performance is noteworthy. In four games the first-string defense has only given up two touchdowns … Covington beat Westview 53-7 last year … Covington is ranked second in this week’s Class 3A state poll and received three first-place votes after top-ranked Alcoa lost to Maryville, the second-ranked team in 6A. Westview is ranked sixth in the 3A state poll.

What: Tipton-Rosemark (0-2) vs. Fayette Academy (1-2)

Where: Fayette Academy

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Rebels to watch: QB Payne Fullen, RB Zak Vinson, WR Aiden Sprenkle, WR Jalen Hurt, OL Heath Harrald

Story lines: Payne Fullen has been the team’s most productive offensive player by far. He has passsed for 115 yards and rushed for 120, which leads the team … Zak Vinson has rushed for 117 yards on 35 carries … Rosemark stayed with University of Jackson, the state’s second-ranked team in DII-A, for a half last week before falling 49-0. They trailed just 13-0 at the half … Fayette Acdemy beat TRA 55-19 last season.

– Jeff Ireland