Hartselle battles Bob Jones in the final game of the 2022 regular season. Photo by Jim Meadows.
The regular football season has ended for teams and area teams now look forward to playoff season.
Eight of the nine schools have made the AHSAA state playoffs for the first time in Morgan County history.
Hartselle6A No. 5 Hartselle (10-0) leads the way with their fifth consecutive appearance and 19th overall since 2000. The Tigers will open the playoffs with former region foe Buckhorn (3-7).
Hartselle has advanced to the second round 20 times and made it to the third round or further three times, including their state championship season in 2011 and championship game appearances in 1980 and 1981.
Priceville4A No. 3 Priceville (10-0) is making their second straight appearance and fifth overall. They have played in the playoffs in three of Coach Chris Foster’s first four years as the Bulldogs’ head coach. He has led Priceville to their first two playoff victories in school history and their first perfect regular season. The Bulldogs will host Central-Florence (6-4) to open the 4A playoffs. Falkville
2A Falkville (6-4) is making its 19th appearance in the state playoffs. They have won five first-round games, including two of their last three. The Blue Devils open the 2A playoffs with Collinsville (8-2). Brewer
5A Brewer (5-5) is making their sixth trip to the state playoffs in school history. They are still looking for their first win as they travel to Scottsboro to open the 5A playoffs. Danville
3A Danville (3-7) is making its 11th appearance in the state playoffs. The Hawks are looking for their first win since 1994 and their fourth overall. Danville opens on the road at 3A No. 1 Mars Hill. Austin
7A No. 10 Austin (7-3) returns to the playoffs for the 28th time. The Black Bears have 15 first-round wins but are looking for their first since moving up to 7A in 2018. Austin will host Vestavia Hills (6-4) in the first round of the 7A playoffs. Decatur
6A Decatur (8-2) is making its 32nd appearance in the state playoffs. The Red Raiders are making consecutive appearances for the first time since 2012-13. Decatur travels to Fort Payne (8-2) to open the 6A playoffs. West Morgan
4A West Morgan (9-1) is making its 19th appearance in the state playoffs and first since 2017. The Rebels are 13-5 in first-round games but only have two wins in the second round. West Morgan will host Westminster Christian (6-4) to open the 4A playoffs.