Philip Rivers, St. Michael Catholic set for high-profile season opener in August?
Sources indicate to AL.com that St. Michael is tentatively scheduled to host Battle Ground Academy of Tennessee on Aug. 22.
Olivia Bennett 
St. Michael Catholic is gearing up for a major showdown on the gridiron. Sources have confirmed to 205focus.com that the Cardinals are tentatively set to host Tennessee’s Battle Ground Academy for a marquee season opener in Fairhope on August 22. The matchup, originally reported by Tom Loy of 247Sports, is slated for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff and is expected to receive national television coverage.
A Powerhouse Program
Led by head coach and legendary NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, St. Michael has become a force in Alabama high school football, boasting a 25-3 record over the past two seasons and two consecutive state semifinal appearances. Rivers, who enters his sixth season at the helm with a 42-16 career record, recently returned to the NFL for a three-game stint with the Colts this past December.
The Cardinals' offense remains anchored by Rivers’ son, Gunner, a 6-foot-3.5, 205-pound N.C. State commit. Gunner is coming off a stellar junior campaign where he threw for 3,176 yards and 46 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions, leading the program to its first-ever No. 1 ranking. With 10,200 career passing yards and 111 touchdowns, he currently sits sixth on the AHSAA’s career passing list with one season left to play.
The Competition
Battle Ground Academy brings a formidable challenge to Fairhope, headlined by senior quarterback Bo Bryan. The Wildcats also feature a talented roster that includes standout prospects such as 6-foot-6, 295-pound offensive tackle Koehn Dial, junior wide receiver Maximus Curry, and sophomore athlete Maddox Porter.
Looking Ahead
Beyond their high-profile opener, the Cardinals’ 2026 non-region schedule features bouts with Bayside Academy and Foley. St. Michael is also set to navigate a competitive new landscape in the AHSAA’s AA private school Region 1, which includes heavy hitters like Faith Academy, Glenwood, Houston Academy, McGill-Toolen, Montgomery Catholic, St. Paul’s, and UMS-Wright.
At the time of this report, neither Philip Rivers nor St. Michael athletic director Simon Cortopassi were immediately available for comment regarding the upcoming matchup.
