FOLEY, Alabama - The state’s high school football teams took to the practice field for the first time on Monday, and at least two of Baldwin County’s Class 6A teams look primed to make a run at a region, and even state, championship.

In Foley, Todd Watson’s Lions have reached the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons. While nothing is guaranteed in high school football, the Lions should be a shoe-in for the playoffs again this season.

Foley returns lots of key players in all the right positions. Quarterback Maison Taylor is back for his second season under center, and he has experienced weapons at wide receiver like Alontai Adams and Demarcus Bingham. Foley’s offensive line could easily be the county’s best this year, with three starters returning and 6-foot-6, 340-pound right tackle R.J. Hulse as an anchor.

At media day in Loxley last month, Watson said he is excited about his offensive line.

“Our guys are big but they move very well,” he said. “We have been working on their strength and conditioning. We want our line to wear on people, wear them down.”

The Lions should be good on defense as well, with defensive end Chance Blackmon and Corey Christensen and B.T. Sanders returning in the defensive backfield.

Watson said his team has another good quality: confidence.

“They don’t lack confidence,” he said. “I wish I was as confident as they are.”

If Foley wants to make a run at a 6A Region 2 title this year, it must first go through Daphne.

The Trojans have been Baldwin County’s premiere 6A football team the last few seasons, with a state championship, a region title and a “Mr. Football” award winner in the previous two seasons.

Daphne is always loaded with talent, and this year is no different. Quarterback T.J. Fleeton, a Lousiana-Lafayette commitment, returns for his senior season. All he did last year was help lead the Trojans to a National Select 7-on-7 championship, a 10-2 record and a trip to the second round of the 6A playoffs. Fleeton has talented receivers in Chris Sain and Jonathan McGaster to throw to. He also has an offensive line anchored by 400-pound bench presser Ashton McQuitery, a three-year starter.

“Mr. Football” T.J. Yeldon is wearing Alabama Crimson now, but Daphne always has talented running backs. Yeldon can’t be replaced, but Daphne should be able to replicate his talents with multiple backs this fall.

Foley visits Daphne in the third week of the season in a game that could go a long way to determining who wins the region and who has home field advantage to open the playoffs. The Trojans have beaten Foley in five consecutive contests, including a 35-14 win at Foley’s Ivan Jones Stadium last season.

McGill-Toolen and Fairhope will be tough as well, but the road to the region title will go through the Forward and Jubilee cities.