By WVUA-23 sports reporter Tommy Camp

One of the most exciting things about going back to school is the arrival of high school football. It makes it even more exciting when the first game is against the rival from across town.

Friday night marks the 31st edition of the biggest rivalry in Tuscaloosa high school sports when Tuscaloosa County takes on Tuscaloosa Central. Both schools have the largest alumni base in Tuscaloosa and are such big rivals because of their proximity.

“My guys know these guys, we know some of these coaches, I played against County High back in the day, some of my coaches played against County High. So it’s just a huge rivalry for the city of Tuscaloosa,” Central head coach Demario Pippen said.

County High has won the last two years, but this year is different, they have a new head coach. Miles Holcomb was hired in late February to take over the Wildcats program after leading Southside Gadsden to an 8-3 record and a 5A Region 6 championship title.

After months of summer practice and weeks of fall camp, Holcomb is eager to show Northport what “this new version of county high football looks like.”

“I think there will be a lot of people in the stands and I think it will be a good atmosphere for our guys.”

The rivalry also crosses family boundaries this year, as former County High and Alabama running back LeRon McClain has switched sides and is now coaching on the sidelines at Central against his cousin AJ McClain.

“It’s pretty difficult, but when Friday comes, my family knows which side I’m on and I’ll talk to them after the game,” LeRon said.

AJ is a senior linebacker for County High and wears number 33, just like his cousin did 20 years ago.

Holcomb is looking to earn his first win as TCHS head coach and lead the Wildcats to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, while Pippen enters his second season looking to improve the Falcons’ record (5-5 from last season) and get them to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.