On a November night last year, I found myself driving down the road that runs parallel to Straughn’s softball, baseball and ultimately, its football field.

It was pitch-black dark, cold and quiet, except for a few lights that were lit on the press box.

A feeling came over me like a monster was about to be awoken. I don’t know whether it was because of the Tigers’ run in the state playoffs then or if it was because of tiredness.

Well, that was last year, and another monster will be rearing its head this week as Andalusia and Straughn are vying for a region championship, and Opp is playing for a week 11.

Since last week, I couldn’t wait to start this week because of the importance each game would hold.

Sixth-ranked AHS will face top-ranked UMS-Wright at its Municipal Stadium, which is adjacent to the school and within spitting distance of the ever-noticable now 1-year-old athletic facility.

Straughn will be traveling to Brewton to face T.R. Miller in a top-five match up for the ages.

AHS and SHS are both undefeated in their regions, and already have solidified a spot in the postseason and a first-round home playoff berth.

The only thing the home-town Bulldogs and Tigers are playing for this week is a region championship.

Andalusia’s last region championship came in 2011, while Straughn won its last in 2009.

Opp, on the other hand, will be hosting W.S. Neal for a shot in the playoffs.

If the Bobcats win, then they will gain a berth in the playoffs, so they are playing for a week 11.

Throughout the week so far, people have asked me how do you think this team will do, or do you think we have a chance?

I gave my best assessment in response and carried on like usual, but the thought of this week’s games haven’t left my mind.

It’s like they’ve become an obsession.

On Sunday, I started to do my research on our teams’ opponents and what I found was staggering.

On paper, UMS-Wright is probably the most balanced team that I’ve seen when it comes to running and passing the ball.

So far this season, UMS has racked up 1,359 rushing yards and 1,286 passing yards. Now, the Mobile team has scored more on the ground, but this should tell you that they aren’t one-dimensional.

As for T.R. Miller, the Brewton Tigers are more of a running team, compiling 1,926 yards on the ground and scoring 27 touchdowns.

W.S. Neal’s go-to guy is Quenton Samuels, who has garnered 1,769 yards on the ground alone.

Each game presents a unique drama that all will play out in between the hashes tomorrow night.

On Tuesday during an interview for a preview story, one coach said after all of the hoopla, it’s all going to come down to just playing football.

And, that folks, is going to be the best part.