If you spend any time around Semmes, Alabama, you know that Friday nights aren't just about a game. They’re about a community's identity. For a long time, mentioning MGM high school football—that’s Mary G. Montgomery for those outside the 251—usually meant talking about a program that was "gritty" but maybe not a powerhouse.
That has changed. Fast.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Zach Golson, the Vikings have flipped the script on what people expect from a public school program in Mobile County. It wasn't that long ago that the team was struggling through seasons that left fans hoping for a .500 record. Now? People are checking the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) brackets specifically to see who has the misfortune of drawing the Vikings in the postseason. It's a massive shift in energy. You can feel it when you walk into the stadium. The atmosphere is different because the expectations are higher.
The Turning Point for the Vikings
Look, rebuilding a football program in the heart of Alabama is basically like trying to fix a plane while it's in the air. You’re competing against historically dominant schools like Central-Phenix City or Thompson, and in your own backyard, you've got the private school giants and traditional 7A powers.
What Golson did wasn't just about X’s and O’s. He changed the culture. He stopped the "here we go again" mentality that plagues teams after a bad turnover or a missed field goal. In 2023, the world really took notice when MGM went 12-1. That wasn't a fluke. They weren't just lucky. They were physically dominant.
The 2023 season was a masterclass in defensive coordination. They weren't just winning games; they were suffocating teams. I remember watching film from that season where the opposing offensive line looked like they were trying to block ghosts—or more accurately, a swarm of very angry bees. They ended up winning the Region 1 title, which, if you follow 7A football in Alabama, you know is a meat grinder.
Honestly, the most impressive part wasn't the undefeated regular season. It was the way the community showed up. You’d see the blue and orange everywhere. Local businesses in Semmes started putting up "Go Vikings" signs weeks before the first kickoff. That kind of local buy-in matters more than people think. It creates a feedback loop where the players feel like they’re playing for their neighbors, not just for a scholarship.
Recruitment and the Pipeline
Let's get real about why MGM high school football is suddenly a hotspot for scouts. You don't get to 12-1 and deep playoff runs without some serious "dudes" on the roster.
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The program has started producing high-level talent that SEC and Sun Belt coaches are actually driving out to see. Take a look at players like Bryce Cain. When you have a wide receiver with that kind of vertical speed, it changes how every defensive coordinator has to game plan. Cain, who eventually committed to Auburn, is the perfect example of the "new" MGM. He’s fast, he’s polished, and he’s a nightmare in open space.
But it’s not just the flashy skill positions. The Vikings have been building from the trenches out.
- They started prioritizing strength and conditioning in a way that mimics college programs.
- The offensive line became a cohesive unit rather than five guys just trying to stay in the way.
- Defensive ends began playing with a level of discipline that kept mobile quarterbacks contained.
It’s this attention to detail that separates the "good" teams from the "elite" programs. When you watch an MGM game now, you see players who understand their assignments. You see a linebacker who knows exactly when to drop into coverage because he’s watched ten hours of film on the opponent's tendencies. That’s coaching. That’s buy-in.
Why 7A Region 1 is a Gauntlet
To understand the success of MGM high school football, you have to understand the neighborhood. They play in Class 7A, Region 1. In Alabama, 7A is the biggest of the big.
You’re playing against:
- Baker
- Fairhope
- Daphne
- Foley
- Davidson
These aren't "gimme" games. Every single week is a physical toll. If you take a Friday night off emotionally, you’re going to get embarrassed. The rise of Mary G. Montgomery has essentially shifted the power balance in South Alabama. For years, the conversation was dominated by the Eastern Shore schools or the Mobile city powers. Now, Semmes is the epicenter.
One of the biggest misconceptions about this team is that they’re a "one-trick pony" based on a single good recruiting class. That’s just wrong. They’ve built a sustainable system. The junior varsity and freshman programs are running the same schemes as the varsity team. By the time a kid hits the field on Friday night as a starter, he’s been in the system for three years. He knows the terminology. He knows the expectations.
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The Impact of Coach Zach Golson
You can’t talk about this program without talking about Golson. He’s not a "rah-rah" guy who just screams on the sidelines. He’s a tactician. When he took over, he didn't promise a state championship in year one. He promised a standard.
I’ve heard stories from around the locker room about the "Golson era" discipline. It’s simple things. Showing up on time. Keeping the weight room clean. Taking care of business in the classroom. It sounds like cliché coach-speak, but when you actually implement it, it translates to fewer penalties on 3rd and long. It translates to a team that doesn't crumble when they're down by ten points in the fourth quarter.
Game Day in Semmes: What to Expect
If you’re planning on heading out to a game, get there early. Seriously. The parking situation at the Viking stadium is... well, it’s a high school stadium. It gets packed.
The student section, known for being loud and occasionally relentless, is a huge part of the home-field advantage. There’s something special about a community that has waited a long time for a winner. There’s a hunger there. You’ll see grandfathers who played for MGM in the 70s sitting next to kids who are just hoping to make the middle school team. It’s generational.
Pro tip: If you want the best view, try to get a spot near the 40-yard line on the home side, but honestly, the energy is best near the band. The Viking band is legit and they keep the energy high even during those lull periods in the second quarter.
Handling the Pressures of Success
Now that MGM high school football is a "name" in Alabama, the pressure has changed. It’s one thing to be the underdog. It’s another thing to be the team with the target on your back.
In 2024 and beyond, the challenge is maintaining that edge. Every team they face is going to play their best game of the season against them. They’re no longer the team that people overlook. They are the benchmark.
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The 2023 loss in the playoffs to Central-Phenix City was a heartbreak, but it was also an education. It showed the gap between being a "great" team and being a "state championship" team. Central is the gold standard in Alabama, and MGM went toe-to-toe with them. That experience is invaluable for the returning starters. They’ve seen the mountain top. They know what the air feels like up there.
Recruiting Realities and the Future
For the parents and players looking at MGM, the path to the next level is clearer than ever. Scouts are frequenting the campus. But the advice remains the same: talent gets you noticed, but the "MGM Way"—that discipline we talked about—is what gets you signed.
The school has done a great job of highlighting their athletes on social media, but the real work happens at 6:00 AM in the weight room during the humid Alabama summers. That’s where the games are actually won.
If you’re a local fan or a scout, keep an eye on the defensive line rotation. They’ve been rotating high-motor guys who just don't seem to tire out. It’s a testament to their conditioning coach and the depth they’ve managed to build.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Players
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a player looking to join the ranks, here’s how you actually engage with the program effectively.
- For Fans: Don't just show up for the big rivalry games. The mid-season region games are where the playoff seeding is determined. Support the booster club; that’s where the money for the new equipment and travel comes from.
- For Aspiring Players: Focus on the "unrequired" work. The coaches at MGM value players who are self-starters. If you’re waiting for a coach to tell you to run sprints, you’re already behind.
- For the Community: Keep the "Semmes Proud" energy going. The psychological advantage of a packed, loud stadium cannot be overstated in high school sports. It rattles 16-year-old quarterbacks from visiting teams.
MGM high school football has moved past the era of being a "feel-good story." They are a legitimate contender in the toughest classification in one of the most football-obsessed states in the country. The blue-and-orange isn't just a uniform anymore; it’s a warning to the rest of the state.
If you want to stay updated, follow the official AHSAA scores and the local Mobile sports journalists who cover the "coast" beat. Things move fast in 7A, and you don't want to miss the next chapter of this program's rise. The foundation is set, the talent is there, and the community is ready. The only thing left to do is finish the job.
Next Steps for Following the Vikings
Check the official Mary G. Montgomery High School website for the most current varsity schedule. If you're looking for ticket information, the GoFan app is generally the standard for AHSAA schools. Make sure to verify kickoff times, as heat delays are common in late August and early September in South Alabama. Keep an eye on local recruiting analysts like those from 247Sports or Rivals, as several Viking underclassmen are currently tracking as three- and four-star prospects for the upcoming cycles.