Hoover and Opelika will meet Thursday night in one of Alabama high school football’s headline games, with the Buccaneers heading to Opelika for the AHSAA Football Game of the Week.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 27, and the matchup will stream live on the NFHS Network.
The meeting brings these two programs back together nearly two years after they delivered one of the most dramatic games of the 2024 Alabama high school football playoffs. Hoover came out on top in that one, outlasting Opelika 32-29 in a triple-overtime Class 7A state quarterfinal.
There’s no postseason pressure this time, but both teams still have plenty to prove early in the season.
Hoover arrives at 1-0 after opening 2026 with a 14-8 win over Muscle Shoals. Senior quarterback Kaleb Freeman threw both Buccaneers touchdowns, while the defense helped close the door on a tight six-point victory.
Now Hoover gets its first road test of the year against a rested Opelika squad that is just getting started. The Bulldogs sat out Week 1 with an open date, giving them extra time to prepare for the challenge.
Opelika will also have the home crowd behind it for the marquee matchup. Junior quarterback Whit Cooper is expected to lead the Bulldogs as they open their 2026 season against one of the state’s most recognizable programs.
Hoover’s reputation hardly needs much introduction. The Buccaneers have won 13 state championships and have sent plenty of players on to college and the pros over the years.
Fans can watch the game through the NFHS Network, which requires a subscription to view certain events. The service streams high school sports from across the country throughout the 2026-27 school year, including thousands of football games, and offers live and on-demand access on compatible devices.
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