Friday night lights in Alabama aren't just a tradition. They're a religion. If you’ve spent any time in Alabaster, Phenix City, or Pinson recently, you know the air just feels different when the pads start popping. Honestly, the 2025 season was a total whirlwind that basically rewrote the script for how we look at the power balance in this state.
Rankings are always a lightning rod for arguments at the local barbershop. Everyone has an opinion. But when the dust settled at Protective Stadium during the Super 7, the Alabama high school football rankings finally found some clarity, even if it wasn't what everyone expected.
The Class 7A chaos: Thompson's return to the throne
For a minute there, people really thought Thompson’s dynasty was cooling off. Central-Phenix City had been looking like a literal freight train for most of the year. They held that #1 spot in the ASWA polls like a vice grip. But then the playoffs happened.
Thompson, led by that phenom quarterback Trent Seaborn, reminded everyone why you don't bet against Alabaster in December. They didn't just win the 7A state title; they absolutely dismantled Opelika 48-10 in the final. It was clinical. It was loud. It was a statement that the Warriors are still the "big bad" of Alabama football.
Here is how the top of the 7A pile looks after the smoke cleared:
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- Thompson (11-4): Don't let the four losses fool you. They played a national schedule and peaked exactly when the trophy was on the line.
- Central-Phenix City (11-2): They dominated the regular season, but that semifinal exit was a heartbreaker for the Red Devils.
- Opelika (10-4): A massive resurgence for the Bulldogs this year. Nobody had them in the finals back in August.
- Auburn (10-3): Consistently elite, but they just couldn't get past the Opelika hurdle in that legendary semifinal matchup.
- Vestavia Hills (8-3): Robert Evans has this program back in the conversation as a legitimate heavyweight.
Clay-Chalkville and the 6A perfection
If Thompson is the king of 7A, Clay-Chalkville is the undisputed ruler of 6A. They finished 16-0. Let that sink in for a second. In a state this competitive, going undefeated is basically a miracle.
The Cougars' offense was a nightmare for defensive coordinators. They averaged nearly 300 yards through the air and over 200 on the ground. It’s balanced. It’s fast. Saraland, led by their own stars, gave them a run for their money in the finals, but Clay-Chalkville just had too many weapons.
The 6A landscape is top-heavy but incredibly deep. Saraland (14-1) is easily a top-5 team in the entire state regardless of classification. Then you have programs like Muscle Shoals and Parker who would probably win state titles in 40 other states.
The small school giants you’re ignoring
We spend a lot of time talking about the 7A and 6A schools because they have the big stadiums and the TV deals. But honestly? Some of the best football in the country is happening in places like Florence and Wadley.
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Mars Hill Bible is a perfect example. They went 15-0. They ended the season as the #11 team in the entire state composite rankings. Think about that. A 3A school is ranked higher than most 7A programs. They beat Bayside Academy 38-21 to cap off a perfect year, and they did it with a brand of physical football that’s just fun to watch.
Quick look at the lower class kings:
- 5A: Vigor and Williamson turned the Mobile area into a battleground, but Vigor’s defense was the difference maker late in the year.
- 4A: Jackson High School is a factory. With Landon Duckworth and Ezavier Crowell, they were basically a cheat code.
- 1A: Wadley finished 15-0 and looked untouchable. They beat Maplesville in a classic "old school" slugfest.
The NIL elephant in the room
We have to talk about it. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) isn't just for the Alabama Crimson Tide or Auburn Tigers anymore. While Alabama (the state) officially prohibited NIL for high schoolers under AHSAA rules for a long time, the pressure in 2025 became immense.
Nearby states like Georgia and Florida already allowed it. This created a "talent drain" fear. By April 2025, the framework for HB489 started moving, trying to find a way to let kids make a few bucks without turning high school sports into a professional free-agent market.
It’s a messy topic. Some coaches hate it. They think it ruins the "team first" mentality. Others, like those at the powerhouse programs, realize that if they don't adapt, their five-star recruits might just move across the state line to a school that allows a car dealership deal.
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Why the rankings might be wrong
Rankings are based on a mix of math (like the Massey ratings) and human polls (like the ASWA). But math doesn't see heart. It doesn't see a kid playing with a busted ankle in a rivalry game.
Look at Hoover. They finished 6-5. On paper, that looks like a "down year." But they played one of the hardest schedules in the country. If you put Hoover against a 10-0 team from a weaker region, the Bucs are winning that game nine times out of ten. That’s why the "Strength of Schedule" metric is so vital in the Alabama high school football rankings.
What to watch for in 2026
The cycle never stops. Signing Day is around the corner, and the transfer portal (yes, high school has a version of this now, let's be real) is already heating up.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the rising juniors. The Class of 2027 in Alabama is touted as one of the deepest in a decade. We’re talking about multiple five-star prospects at the skill positions.
Next steps for the true fan:
- Check the official AHSAA reclassification brackets; some of your favorite 5A teams might be moving up to 6A this year, which changes everything.
- Follow the spring practice reports starting in March to see which backup quarterbacks are actually ready to take the reins.
- Keep an eye on the coaching carousel, as three major 7A programs are currently looking for new leadership.