5 things you need to know about high school football in North Alabama
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We are just one week away from the first games of the Alabama high school football season but don’t worry, we will have you fully prepared with everything you need to know before things kick off.
We’ve separated the state into four regions—North, West, East, South—to highlight some of the most important storylines across the state. And we’re starting with north Alabama.
Keep reading to find out five things you need to know before football season officially begins including some of the top state title contenders + what games you need to put on your calendar.
1. Will Fyffe’s run continue?
In case you are not already familiar, Fyffe football is in the midst of one of the greatest dynasty runs Alabama has ever seen at the high school level. Or maybe at any level.
Here’s just a few things to know about this program’s last decade under coach Paul Benefield:
- 139-6 overall record
- 43 playoff wins
- 7 state championships (6 in 2A, 1 in 3A)
- 9 region championships
And more often than not, those wins have been coming with ease. Their average margin of victory over the last decade is 35 points. THIRTY FIVE POINTS.
With the latest reclassification, Fyffe is back at the 3A level but there is no reason to doubt how good they can be. Running back Logan Anderson is a candidate for Mr. Football and he’s a big reason why the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) has Fyffe as a unanimous #1 in the preseason rankings.
2. Can Pisgah fill the void in 2A?
Pisgah may have been Fyffe’s toughest competition last season, nearly pulling off the upset during the regular season then losing again to the Red Devils in the semifinals.
But with Fyffe jumping up a classification, maybe now is Pisgah’s time. The Eagles have never won a state championship but they seem to be heading in that direction, winning 23 total games over the last two seasons.
Pisgah is ranked #1 in the 2A preseason rankings, its highest ranking since 1970.
3. Cherokee County battling to get over the hump
It may seem hard to believe that Cherokee County’s lone state championship came all the way back in 2009. But that’s because of the program’s recent success under coach Jacob Kelley.
Led by running back Jacob Cornejo, the Warriors have won consecutive region championships and made back-to-back appearances in the Super 7. But they fell short in both state championship games, leaving a sour taste in their mouth from both seasons.
Cornejo is gone but this team has proven itself to be more than a one-man program. The ASWA has Cherokee County ranked second in the preseason rankings, a spot they are all-too-familiar with. Can this be the year to finally get their hands on a blue map again?
4. Which 7A schools can compete in the postseason
It’s not something that people from north of Birmingham like to talk about too often but it’s fair to say the big schools in North Alabama have not had the best track record in the playoffs. Especially at the 7A level.
No team from 7A, Region 4 has won a playoff game since 2019. And the region has only won a total of six games since the 7A classification was created.
But with a new season comes new hope.
Austin may be the favorite to claim the region title with James Clemens not too far behind. Both teams received votes in the preseason ASWA poll but did not crack the top 10. Meanwhile, Bob Jones and Florence return some talent after each winning five region games last year.
The top two spots will get a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Plus, with the new format, the north Alabama teams won’t automatically meet the Birmingham region, which could help put an end to that postseason losing streak.
5. A season filled with rivalries
As with any region in Alabama, this one is filled with some of the best rivalries in the state. And some of the longest running. It was tough to narrow down the list but here’s three to keep an eye on this season.
Decatur at Austin, Aug. 30
This cross-town battle has belonged to Austin in recent years with the Black Bears winning eight of the last nine matchups. However, Decatur won the rivalry just two years ago, the last time this was played at Austin’s home field.
Hartselle at Cullman, Oct. 4
The lone region battle on our short list has been played every year since 1969. The short trip on I-65 makes this rivalry feel even closer than the schools really are. Hartselle has won three straight in the series, all of them by at least 21 points, but Cullman will be on its home field this time around. A competitive game could be on the cards.
Albertville at Guntersville, Nov. 1
This will be the 110th meeting between the two schools, which is one of the oldest rivalries in Alabama high school football history. They have met every year since 1926. Guntersville leads the series with 56 victories including winning the last five.
Make sure to stay tuned for the next three parts of our high school football season preview. Plus, tune in every Wednesday to find details on our Game of the Week.
What are you most looking forward to this season in North Alabama? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
