Ethan Crawford

On the first Friday night of the 2021 season the Homewood Patriots (1-0) and Hillcrest Patriots (0-1) gave fans plenty to take in at Roy Johnson Jr. Stadium. Homewood senior JC Daniel kicked a 27-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation to secure the 37-34 win on the road.

The Class 6A Hillcrest Patriots had a successful 2020 season, the Patriots went 9-3 and finished second in Region 4 last year. The Patriots are led by rising junior quarterback Ethan Crawford. Crawford has started for Hillcrest for the past two seasons and will look to lead the Patriots deeper into the playoffs in 2021. The standout quarterback shared on his social media he received a scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee.

With their 31-21 victory over the McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets (7-3, 5-2) Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (9-2, 5-1) have secured a second-round matchup at No. 1 Opelika in the second round.

It was an absolute barn-burner at McAdory High School Friday night, as the Hillcrest Patriots (6-1, 3-1) edged the McAdory Yellowjackets (4-4, 3-1) by a score of 45-41.

Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (5-1, 2-1) took down the cross-town rival Northridge Jaguars (6-1, 3-1) 49-21.

The Hillcrest Patriots (4-0, 1-0) took on the Wetumpka Indians (2-2, 1-0) and escaped Hohenburg Field with a 35-30 victory on one of the wildest final plays you'll ever see.

Hillcrest picked up its first win in 6A Regional play as it defeated the Brookwood Panthers 49-14.

Both teams started quickly, exchanging opening possession touchdowns. Hillcrest with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Crawford to J'Quon Sturdivant and Homewood with a Sam Carr 8-yard run. However Hillcrest's ability for explosive plays ultimately propelled them ahead of the home side and allowed them to cruise to a 49-19 victory.