Morgan Academy and Keith High are the only Dallas County schools opening their football seasons this week.

The Senators play host to Pike Liberal Arts at Morgan Stadium. Keith travels to Billingsley in their season opener. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m.

The other five schools are competing in preseason jamborees, which don’t count in the standings. Selma plays Dallas County at Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. Southside hosts Ellwood Christian and R.C. Hatch at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. Meadowview Christian School visits Macon-East in Cecil at 7 p.m.

Pike Liberal Arts at Morgan Academy

The Senators, ranked seventh in the AISA poll, are coming off their best season in a decade, hosting Pike Liberal Arts. Eight starters return from last year’s nine-win team that reached the AISA state playoffs.

Andrew Thomas will start at quarterback. Morgan Academy’s defense returns six starters. Three of the four are linebackers: Will Ingram, Scott Lalone and Matthew Free.

Morgan Academy coach Josh Thacker said the Senators are still working on improving before their season-opener.

“We’ve finally settled in offensively,” Thacker said. “Defensively, we’re still looking for an identity which is not where you want to be, five days before your first game.”

Keith at Billingsley

For the second straight year, Keith faces Billingsley in an all-Bears contest. Keith prevailed 38-28 last year in Orrville, but Bears coach Anthony Lumpkin expects a tough contest.

“Billingsley is a talented group of guys,” Lumpkin said. “They came into our house last year and played well, but fell short.”

Quarterback Jared Edwards returns for a third year as starter and also plays linebacker. Fullback-linebacker Quintavious Woods and offensive-defensive linemen Jeffrey Callens are both also key players.

“We’re looking to be balanced in our offense and we really want to get after Billingsley on defense,” Lumpkin said. “We hope to keep them behind the chains.”

Dallas County vs. Selma High

This jamboree features a battle of first-year head coaches at Memorial Stadium. Heath LeVert is the Hornets’ new coach. Willie Gandy takes over at Selma.

The Saints are led by offensive tackle Jeremiah Wright, an Auburn verbal commitment. Keondre Hope returns at quarterback.

“I’m looking forward to turning the program around,” Gandy said. “I believe I’m the right guy for the job.”

Wide receiver and defensive back Carl McGhee leads the young Hornets. Calvin Griffin is expected to start at quarterback.

“We have a team motto: ‘Flip the switch, short and sweet and to the point,’” LeVert said. “That’s what it’s going to take to get this program back where it needs to be.”

Southside jamboree

Under first-year coach Charles Moody, the Saints will host a three-team jamboree with R.C. Hatch, Ellwood Christian Academy and Notasulga starting at 1 p.m. All of the teams will play two quarters. Southside faces ECA in the final contest. Admission is $5.

Southside is coming off its first 0-10 season in school history. Christopher Thomas will start at quarterback.

“We expect to grow as the season progresses and make this our comeback season,” Moody said. “We’re a young team, but we expect to grow fast.”

Migueal Catlin resigned as ECA head coach last month, but he returned to his old job this week. Catlin said the Eagles are a work in progress.

Meadowview at Macon-East

The Trojans enter their second year in AISA and 11-man football.  The Trojans lost all nine games last year, but second-year head coach Bob Taylor is optimistic. Chemar McGuire and Alex Colquitt will play both on the offensive and defensive lines.

“I feel that we should be improved in all aspects,” Taylor said. “We had a big curve to get where we need to be.”