Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

On Friday, the Cottondale VFW held a commemorative program to honor POWs and MIAs with an honor guard and a Missing Man’s table — nearly 90,000 soldiers have been unaccounted for since World War I — as organizers marked five years of remembrance in Tuscaloosa County.

A Fayette County family of seven is rebuilding after their home burned Tuesday morning as the parents quickly evacuated while the children were at school (Fayette First Baptist Church is leading a donation drive to help them restart their household).

Northport City Council member Jaime Conger presented a $5,000 check Friday morning to repair the Echols Middle School baseball field, though the school still needs about $9,000 to complete the project (residents interested in helping should contact Coach Kosloff).

Tuscaloosa mourns City Council President Kip Tyner (a leader in Alberta's rebuild after the 2011 tornado) as Mayor Maddox orders flags lowered to half-staff; memorial details will be announced.

Alabama running back AK Dear is questionable for the home game against FSU today at 2:30 p.m. on ABC after an ankle injury in fall camp scrimmage; his return could bring versatility + depth to the Crimson Tide run game.

The Falcons pulled away late with a 60‐yard pass (a buzzer beater before halftime) and two defensive scores to win 47-20 at Falcon Field.

The team now enters a bye week and will travel to Bessemer City on Oct. 2.

Tuscaloosa Academy won a 51-0 homecoming game over Pickens Academy on Thursday night, as star quarterback Mark Norris threw five touchdown passes and the defense kept the opponents scoreless.

Alabama baseball held fall practice today at Sewell-Thomas Stadium after a College World Series run 27 years ago.

Coach Rob Vaughn said younger players will join returning veterans as the team prepares for an interquad scrimmage tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. CT.

Former Alabama football players recalled late-night team meetings — when players held each other accountable after games — that set high standards for the program in Tuscaloosa.

They described these sessions as key to building a strong legacy of excellence.

Thursday in high school football saw Briarwood Christian beat Madison Academy and Arab defeat Columbia, while Tuscaloosa Academy posted a 51-0 win over Pickens Academy — scores were compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association from games across the state.