The first high school football rankings of the season were released Sunday night.
Decatur Heritage, No. 6 in 1A, is the only Morgan County school to be ranked in the top 10. Austin, Priceville, and Falkville all received votes in their classifications.
Reigning champs Thompson (7A), Oxford (6A), Central-Clay County (5A), and Piedmont (3A) will start the season ranked No. 1 in their classifications.
There will be new No.1 teams in 1A, 2A, and 4A because of the defending champs moving up in classification. UMS-Wright, which won the past three 4A champs, debuts in 5A at No. 5. Fyffe, which won three of the past four 2A titles, is No. 2 in 3A behind Piedmont while reigning 1A champ Lanett is No. 2 in Class 2A.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason high school football rankings note the number of first-place votes, last year’s record, and total poll points. For this year’s list, * denotes a team played in a different classification last season.
Although Clarke County features in the rankings, the Clarke County Democrat has reported the program will not field a team this year because of COVID-19 concerns after voting was already completed.
Here are the complete rankings, with local schools noted in bold typeface:
CLASS 7A
1. Thompson (23); 12-1; 285
2. Central-Phenix City (1); 12-2; 203
3. Hewitt-Trussville; 6-4; 186
4. Hoover; 10-3; 178
5. Auburn; 9-4; 144
6. Fairhope; 6-5; 106
7. James Clemens; 9-3; 59
8. *Dothan; 8-3; 55
9. Theodore; 8-3; 41
10. Prattville; 9-3; 27
Others receiving votes: Austin (7-4) 23, *Daphne (5-5) 20, Spain Park (4-6) 18, Sparkman (8-3) 8, Florence (7-5) 6, Oak Mountain (4-6) 4, Vestavia Hills (7-4) 3, Enterprise (5-6) 2.
CLASS 6A
1. Oxford (18); 14-1; 267
2. *Mountain Brook (5); 8-3; 222
3. Pinson Valley; 10-3; 160
4. Blount; 8-3; 151
5. *McGill-Toolen (1); 11-1; 146
6. Opelika; 11-2; 141
7. Eufaula; 9-3; 54
8. Clay-Chalkville; 10-3; 47
9. Spanish Fort; 9-5; 38
10. Gardendale; 8-4; 37
Others receiving votes: Saraland (10-1) 33, *Lee-Montgomery (7-3) 22, Muscle Shoals (12-1) 19, Stanhope Elmore (9-3) 15, *Briarwood (12-2) 8, Park Crossing (5-8) 8.
CLASS 5A
1. Central-Clay County (12); 13-2; 244
2. Pleasant Grove (8); 13-2; 238
3. *St. Paul’s (3); 8-4; 199
4. Ramsay; 10-3; 177
5. *UMS-Wright (1); 14-0; 126
6. Guntersville; 8-3; 81
7. *Andalusia; 10-4; 76
8. Faith Academy; 11-1; 75
9. (tie) Alexandria; 8-3; 45
9. (tie) *Fairview; 9-3; 45
Others receiving votes: Tallassee (5-4) 23, Center Point (9-4) 16, Fairfield (3-7) 7, *Pike Road (11-1) 7, Carroll (3-6) 4, Demopolis (7-4) 4, Sylacauga (8-3) 1.
CLASS 4A
1. American Christian (8); 11-2; 206
2. *Bibb County (9); 12-1; 205
3. *Vigor (4); 4-7; 188
4. *Etowah; 9-2; 153
5. Jacksonville (3); 12-3; 119
6. Deshler; 9-4; 116
7. *Gordo; 12-1; 73
8. *Madison County; 10-3; 66
9. *Madison Academy; 5-6; 65
10. Anniston; 9-5; 61
Others receiving votes: Williamson (7-4) 50, Good Hope (8-3) 28, *Geneva (8-3) 20, Cherokee Co. (6-4) 6, Priceville (8-4) 6, *Mobile Christian (9-5) 4, *St. James (10-2) 2.
CLASS 3A
1. Piedmont (24); 14-1; 288
2. *Fyffe; 15-0; 215
3. *Hillcrest-Evergreen; 7-5; 173
4. *Montgomery Catholic; 12-1; 163
5. T.R. Miller; 9-5; 136
6. Providence Christian; 10-2; 130
7. Pike County; 10-1; 66
8. Walter Wellborn; 12-2; 53
9. *Reeltown; 13-2; 50
10. Flomaton; 11-2; 42
Others receiving votes: *Ohatchee (10-1) 31, Opp (4-7) 14, *New Brockton (5-6) 4, *Collinsville (12-2) 2, Excel (3-7) 1.
CLASS 2A
1. Leroy (18); 11-3; 269
2. *Lanett (4); 14-0; 217
3. *Mars Hill Bible; 14-1; 176
4. *Randolph County (2); 11-2; 169
5. Red Bay; 12-1; 141
6. Ariton; 10-3; 103
7. G.W. Long; 10-3; 86
8. Luverne; 11-1; 53
9. Addison; 8-3; 39
10. *Spring Garden; 11-2; 39
Others receiving votes: *Clarke County (2-8) 33, *Elba (8-4) 15, North Sand Mountain (9-4) 14, *Falkville (7-5) 5, Westbrook Christian (8-4) 5, Highland Home (3-7) 3, J.U. Blacksher (9-3) 1.
CLASS 1A
1. Brantley (16); 11-2; 261
2. Sweet Water (7); 11-2; 227
3. Pickens Co.; 11-3; 182
4. Maplesville (1); 9-3; 175
5. Linden; 6-5; 128
6. Decatur Heritage; 12-1; 123
7. *Cedar Bluff; 7-4; 110
8. Notasulga; 6-5; 79
9. *Southern Choctaw; 4-6; 30
10. Marengo; 6-5; 21
Others receiving votes: Fruitdale (5-6) 20, South Lamar (10-2) 10, Donoho (9-2) 2.
