The Arnold (Panama City Beach, FL) varsity football team will host Providence Christian (Dothan, AL) in an exciting home non-conference matchup on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m. Both teams are eager to showcase their skills early in the season, making this contest one to watch for fans and supporters.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What: Alabama High School Football
- Who: Smiths Station vs Valley
- When: Friday, August 29, 2025
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Smiths Station vs Valley: Alabama High School Football Showdown
High school football in Alabama always brings energy, rivalries, and pride to the forefront. On Friday, August 29, 2025, at 6 p.m., the Smiths Station Panthers will host the Valley Rams in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. Both teams come into this early-season clash at 1-0, looking to build momentum after strong opening performances.
For fans following Alabama high school football, this game is more than just another entry on the schedule—it’s an early test of depth, execution, and composure under pressure.
Game Preview: Smiths Station vs Valley
The Panthers and Rams enter Friday’s contest unbeaten, but their paths to victory in Week 1 couldn’t have been more different.
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Smiths Station (1-0) started their campaign with a 24-0 shutout on the road, a defensive statement that showcased their ability to control tempo and shut down opponents.
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Valley (1-0), meanwhile, edged out a hard-fought 20-14 victory at home, relying on offensive firepower to secure the win.
The contrast sets up a compelling matchup: Smiths Station’s defensive grit against Valley’s offensive versatility.
Fans looking for more coverage on state matchups can visit the Alabama High School Football hub
Rankings and Records
While both teams share a perfect record, their standings highlight just how competitive Alabama football can be:
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Valley Rams
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National Rank: 3,605
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Alabama State Rank: 102
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Class Rank: 23
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Overall Record: 1-0 (Home 1-0, Away 0-0)
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Points For: 20 | Points Against: 14
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Smiths Station Panthers
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National Rank: 4,834
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Alabama State Rank: 130
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Class Rank: 28
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Overall Record: 1-0 (Home 0-0, Away 1-0)
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Points For: 24 | Points Against: 0
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At first glance, Valley holds the stronger ranking positions, but Smiths Station’s opening shutout demonstrates they can swing momentum their way in a hurry.
Offensive Leaders to Watch
The spotlight naturally falls on Valley’s offensive stars, who carried the Rams in Week 1.
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Brandez Eason (#2): Delivered a 161-yard rushing performance, proving himself a game-changing back capable of breaking tackles and moving chains consistently.
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Caden Foreman (#7): The Rams’ quarterback piled up 221 passing yards, finishing with 237 total yards of offense, clearly the engine of Valley’s attack.
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Malachi McCullough (#4): Added 91 receiving yards, showing his chemistry with Foreman and ability to stretch defenses.
Smiths Station has yet to release standout individual stats, but their balance and defensive strength suggest a well-rounded squad that doesn’t rely on a single star. Their ability to contain Valley’s trio of offensive threats could be the deciding factor.
Team Stats Comparison
Looking at the available numbers, Valley’s offense has been firing on all cylinders:
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Rushing Yards Per Game: 183.0
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Passing Yards Per Game: 221.0
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Receiving Yards Per Game: 221.0
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Total Yards Per Game: 404.0
Smiths Station’s Week 1 statistics weren’t detailed, but the 24-0 final scoreline speaks volumes. Holding any opponent scoreless requires discipline, depth, and strong tackling—traits they’ll need again against Valley’s explosive playmakers.
Defensive Playmakers
Valley also had standout defensive contributions in their opener:
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Mason Yarbrough (#0) led the way with 11 tackles and a sack, anchoring the Rams’ defense. His ability to pressure Smiths Station’s quarterback and clog running lanes will be critical.
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As a team, Valley averaged 70 tackles per game and added 3.0 sacks, reflecting their aggressive approach to limiting big plays.
Smiths Station, while not listing individual leaders yet, already proved their defense can dominate. A shutout is rare at any level of football, and the Panthers’ unit deserves recognition for controlling their opener from start to finish.
Scoring Breakdown
The numbers show two distinct identities:
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Valley averaged 20 points per game in Week 1, powered by passing and rushing balance.
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Smiths Station averaged 24 points per game, but more importantly, they allowed 0 points, something Valley’s offense must prepare for.
Friday’s matchup will hinge on whether Smiths Station can replicate that defensive lockdown against an opponent that has proven capable of moving the ball.
Record Breakdown
Looking deeper:
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Valley opened with a home win (1-0) but has not yet tested themselves on the road.
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Smiths Station has the opposite profile, starting 1-0 on the road, but Friday marks their first home game of the season.
The Panthers will look to feed off their home crowd energy, while the Rams will attempt to prove they can handle the pressure of a road environment.
What’s at Stake
This non-conference game may not affect league standings, but it carries weight in several ways:
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Momentum – A 2-0 start boosts confidence heading into the tougher stretch of the season.
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Rankings – A win could elevate both teams’ state and class rankings.
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Defensive vs Offensive Statement – Valley wants to show their offense can produce against a top defensive squad, while Smiths Station wants to prove their shutout wasn’t a fluke.
Both programs have passionate followings, and this game sets the tone for how the rest of their seasons may unfold.
Video Highlights
Smiths Station has already released a few clips from their early season play:
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S.S. Panthers – 645 views (0:11)
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S.S. Panthers 2025 – 0:14
While Valley has not yet shared video highlights, their stats alone give plenty of insight into how dangerous their offense can be.
Key Questions Heading Into the Game
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Can Smiths Station’s defense repeat their Week 1 dominance against Valley’s dynamic quarterback-receiver duo?
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Will Valley’s offense continue producing over 400 yards of total offense, or will the Panthers slow them down?
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How much will Smiths Station benefit from their home crowd in their season debut at Panther Stadium?
The answers to these questions will likely determine the outcome.
Final Thoughts
The Smiths Station vs Valley matchup is shaping up to be one of the early highlights of the Alabama high school football season. Both teams bring contrasting strengths—Smiths Station with a defense-first identity and Valley with explosive offense.
Regardless of the outcome, fans can expect a hard-fought, competitive game under the Friday night lights.
For more coverage on this and other Alabama high school football events, check out the Alabama football section here
