By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
CENTRE – Longtime WEIS radio listeners have come to expect area high school football games as a cornerstone production of the station’s weekend programming during the fall. That will continue later this month, when WEIS (990 AM and 100.5 FM) kicks off its 40th year of broadcasting high school football in 2025.
“Forty years I think is quite a legacy for any broadcast,” WEIS station manager Jerry Baker said. “We have been broadcasting games since 1985 and never missed a year, even during COVID. We’re just thrilled our listeners still want the programming we provide for them. It’s going to be an exciting year. We’re thrilled to be here and continue the legacy of WEIS.”
The 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 21 when Sand Rock – under the direction of first-year head coach Tanner Nelson – welcomes cross-county rival Spring Garden to Russell Jacoway Stadium.
Then on Friday, Aug. 22, the latest chapter in the Battle of Highway 9 takes place in Piedmont at the Field of Champions, when the Bulldogs welcome the Cherokee County Warriors.
Pregame begins at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff at 7 for both contests. Tony Hathcock and Trent Dickeson will be on the call for both games, as well as throughout the 2025 season, with 26-year veteran Nolen Sanford on standby.
“I have been ready to roll since the last game of last year, and am just happy to be on board again,” Hathcock said. “I’m ready to see some great football and be part of it all here at WEIS in our 40th year of calling high school ball. It is the best time of the year, and I am just ready to get rolling once again.”
“It’s an honor to be in the same booth as Tony, just like it’s an honor to call games for WEIS, especially considering this is the 40th year of broadcasting high school football, ” added Dickeson. “I hope to make the station proud every time I put on the headset.”
A total of 13 regular season games are on this year’s broadcast lineup, including three Thursday night games. Following the season-opening Thursday night game between Spring Garden and Sand Rock, Cedar Bluff travels to Collinsville a week later on Aug. 28. The regular Friday night broadcast game in the second week of the season features Class 5A Arab at Cherokee County on Aug. 29.
September opens with Oneonta at Cherokee County on Sept. 5, followed by Section at Sand Rock on Sept. 12, White Plains at Cherokee County on Sept. 19, and Cedar Bluff at Spring Garden on Sept. 26. The Gaylesville Trojans open the October slate by hosting Ider on Oct. 3 and Spring Garden on Oct. 10. Cedar Bluff is at Sand Rock on Oct. 17. Sand Rock travels to Gaston on Oct. 24. The regular season concludes with a Thursday night battle between Donoho and Cedar Bluff on Thursday, Oct. 30.
“Really there is no week on the schedule that I am not excited for,” Hathcock said. “One thing I believe that will be unique about this year is that we will be seeing a lot of new faces in new positions. There was a lot of talent that graduated from across our coverage area last year, but that only means that we get to enjoy seeing some new kids coming up and making a name for themselves.
“I am also excited to see what new coaches can do, such as Randy Dupree at Gaston, Bayley Blanchard at Glencoe, and of course Tanner Nelson at Sand Rock. That is always a fun aspect to watch develop.”
Dickeson also said he’s looking forward to the slate of games this season.
“Spring Garden at Sand Rock opens the season and a new era in Sand Rock. Cherokee County at Piedmont is always a thriller. Cedar Bluff at Spring Garden is a rivalry like no other. Cedar Bluff at Sand Rock could be a game with big playoff implications, and Ider at Gaylesville, because the people at Gaylesville are always so kind. Honestly, I’m just looking forward to seeing all our schools having successful years.”
The state playoffs begin on Nov. 7 and will continue through the Super 7 at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium Dec. 3-5.
“That’s always an exciting time as the players and coaches look forward to a state championship,” Baker said. “I think it’s going to be an exciting year of high school football on WEIS.”
In addition to the 2025 broadcast schedule, WEIS radio listeners can expect the return of The End Zone Show beginning with a two-hour season preview show on Friday, Aug. 15. The show will continue during the regular season on Thursday nights with Dickeson, Post Herald sportswriter Roy Mitchell, and WEIS Sports Director Shannon Fagan bringing listeners a look back at the previous week’s action along with a preview of upcoming games.
The Buttram, Hawkins and Hopper Scoreboard Show also returns for another season on Friday nights following the high school football game of the week. Hathcock along with Jason Smith will be bringing listeners high school scores from around the state.
Then on Saturdays, college football takes over the airwaves. Both Alabama and Auburn games will be broadcast throughout their seasons.
“We’re thrilled to bring that type of quality programming to our listeners that expect it every season,” Baker said. “It’s all coming up very quickly.”
2025 WEIS High School Football Broadcast Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 21 Spring Garden @ Sand Rock
Friday Aug. 22 Cherokee County @ Piedmont
Thursday, Aug. 28 Cedar Bluff @ Collinsville
Friday, Aug. 29 Arab @ Cherokee County
Friday, Sept. 5 Oneonta @ Cherokee County
Friday, Sept. 12 Section @ Sand Rock
Friday, Sept. 19 White Plains @ Cherokee County
Friday, Sept. 26 Cedar Bluff @ Spring Garden
Friday, Oct. 3 Ider @ Gaylesville
Friday, Oct. 10 Gaylesville @ Spring Garden
Friday, Oct. 17 Cedar Bluff @ Sand Rock
Friday, Oct. 24 Sand Rock @ Gaston
Thursday, Oct. 30 Donoho @ Cedar Bluff
