FOX10 Big Friday Kickoff

The public-private playoff split has reshaped 5A Region 1, but one thing hasn’t changed—everyone is still chasing Saraland. Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo break down every team in the region, from the Spartans’ championship expectations to Gulf Shores’ playoff push, Spanish Fort’s bounce-back hopes, Theodore’s new era under Randy Larson, and what to expect fr...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, we kickoff our 2026 season preview coverage by breaking down 6A Region 1. We're talking Baker, Bryant, Daphne, Davidson, Fairhope, Foley, MGM, and Robertsdale. Who's improved, who's down, and who are some of the best players in the region.  Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.

Leroy head football coach Chan Lowe joins the  Big Friday Kickoff Podcast  to share the journey that led him to one of the most respected small-town football programs in Alabama.   From unexpectedly taking over midway through the 2022 season when Jason Massey was deployed with the National Guard to officially becoming the Bears' head coach in 2025, Lowe reflects on the challenges, l...

This week, Emily and Robert talk about the 7v7 tournament hosted by the Univeristy of South Alabama. Who impressed? Who won? Who should we be excited about heading into the season. Then, Emily talks about some of the practices she's been to for various schools over the last week and what she's learned about each team. They wrap up by discussing the hire of Jason Phillips at Satsuma and why Robert...

Fresh off their state championship, Faith Academy Head baseball Coach Matt Seymour and standout pitcher Christian Freeman join the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast.   The two reflect on the Rams' historic title run, the special meaning behind the No. 7 jersey, overcoming adversity throughout the season, and the memories they'll carry with them long after the final out.    From championshi...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily and Robert are joined by Vlad Valasiuk, the founder of Bama Preps, a social media platform dedicated to changing the way Alabama high school football is covered. From recruiting to the biggest storylines across the state, Vlad shares how Bama Preps got started, how it’s grown, and why social media has become such a powerful tool in high scho...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily and Robert break down the latest coaching news. McIntosh hires former Vigor coach John McKenzie and Rodney Jordan is out at Satsuma. We break down the latest coaching moves. Then, we see our local players stand in the latest recruiting rankings. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.

The Alabama high school football world is on edge… and this week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, we’re breaking it all down. From Mary G. Montgomery and Zach Golson… to Pell City and Jake Ganus… the AHSAA is cracking down hard on recruiting violations across the state — and we’re hearing more schools could still be under investigation. Are the punishments...

We have instant reactions to the news that Mary G. Montgomery High School has been fined, placed probation and head coach Zach Golson has been suspended. We break down the news and discuss what this means for the MGM football program going forward. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Robert Ristaneo and Emily Cochran break down the fallout surrounding the suspension of Mary G. Montgomery Head Coach Zach Golson before previewing some of the biggest local spring football games on the schedule. Plus… why the Daphne vs. Gulfport matchup could be one of the Gulf Coast’s must-watch spring showdowns. Follow us on Youtube &nbsp...

This week, Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo are breaking down the starting quarterbacks in class 2A and 1A. Is Jace Sellers the best quarterback in 1A? Will Jayden Collins take another big step for Chickasaw? They break it all down. Then, Big Friday Kickoff Photographer Hayden Hite joins the show to say goodbye. Hayden is following his dream of becoming a pilot so they talk about...

We have an emergency, breaking news episode of the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast as Mary G. Montgomery Head Coach Zach Golson has been placed on administrative leave. FOX10 News reporter Claudia Nichols has been covering this story and joins the podcast to tell us what she’s found out. We will have our regular Wednesday episode tomorrow afternoon. Follow us on Youtube  and check out our pa...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo are highlighting the best returning skill players in Class 3A, 2A, and 1A. All of the best running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and all-around gamechangers on offense, we'll discuss them in this episode. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Robertsdale Head Coach Justin Jones joins the show as he enters year two leading the Golden Bears. We’re talking expectations, the process of rebuilding a program, and the personal side of coaching his own son. From setting the standard to changing the culture, there’s a real buzz building in Robertsdale. You don’t want to miss this on...

This week, on a new episode of the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, it’s packed with high school football talk. Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo break down the top offensive skill players to watch this season across Double A and Single A private schools. We also dive into the new playoff format and what it means moving forward. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our p...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo highlight some of best skill position players in 6A, 5A, and 4A for the 2026-2027 season. We look at some of the best running backs, wide receivers, and playmakers who will make the biggest difference for their teams next season. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10&nbsp...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily and Robert rank the returning quarterbacks in Region One, class 4A, 3A, and the two private school divisions. From Gunner Rivers, Shamar Toodle, and Davis Barnett to Tucker Wade and Jarrod Crook, we break down the numbers, success, and projected upcoming season to compile our first rankings of the offseason.  Follow us on  Youtube  ...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily and Robert talk about Saraland Quarterback Jamison Roberts and his performance at the Elite 11 camp. Then they talk about Snook Christian joining the AHSAA before running through the latest ASWA rankings for baseball, softball, and soccer. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo sit down with T.P. Hammock — co-host of the Alabama High School Football History Podcast. From his roots as a sports writer to helping build one of the most detailed archives of high school football in the state, Hammock shares the story behind the podcast and the passion it takes to track every game played on Fri...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Emily and Robert sit down with one of the most respected historians in the state of Alabama football. Our guest is David Parker, the founder of the Alabama High School Football Historical Society — a site that has become the definitive record book for high school football across the state. We call him the godfather of Alabama high school football...

On this week’s episode of the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast, Robert Ristaneo and Emily Cochran break down the biggest postseason storylines in high school basketball. The Mobile Christian girls are playing for their first state title in program history, while the Alma Bryant girls are looking to punch their ticket to the championship game. Plus, they dive into high school football recruiting ra...

High school baseball is officially back in full swing, and we’ve got the perfect guest to kick off the season. Mobile-area baseball guru Joey Warner joins Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo on this week’s episode of the Big Friday Kickoff Podcast — and trust us, he’s an encyclopedia of knowledge. We dive into the top teams, players to watch, and the biggest s...

This week on the Big Friday Kickoff podcast, Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo break down the quarterbacks in 5A and 6A and give you our early rankings heading into next year. From proven playmakers to rising stars ready to take over under center, we’re stacking the top QBs and debating who deserves the No. 1 spot.   Who’s too high? Who’s too low? And who’s about to ma...

The public versus private debate in Alabama high school sports just took another major turn and Sports Director Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo are breaking it all down on this week’s Big Friday Kickoff Podcast. From the AHSAA’s decision to separate championship play… to the possibility of private schools gaining representation on the Central Board… and what the CHOOSE...

Area tournament time is almost here. On this week’s Big Friday Kickoff, Emily Cochran and Robert Ristaneo dive into high school basketball, sizing up contenders, key matchups, and the storylines you need to know heading into next week’s area tournaments. Follow us on  Youtube  and check out our page on  FOX10  for more coverage.