Alabama High School Top 25: Classes 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A
Updated 12/5/22
Our 2022 Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A Top-25 rankings receives its final update of the year with only a small amount of movement. Thompson takes over the No. 1 overall ranking after defeating Auburn for the Class 7A state title, while 6A champion Saraland also rises a spot within the top five. The state champions and their final rankings are as follows:
- 7A: Thompson (No. 1)
- 6A: Saraland (No. 3)
- 5A: Ramsay (No. 10)
- 4A: Andalusia (No. 15)
Final Top-25
- Thompson (7A) +1
- Auburn (7A) -1
- Saraland (6A) +1
- Central-Phenix City (7A) -1
- Hoover (7A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Ramsay (5A) E
- Charles Henderson (5A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) E
- Muscle Shoals (6A) E
- Hartselle (6A) E
- Andalusia (4A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
- UMS-Wright (5A) E
- Gardendale (6A) E
- Hueytown (6A) E
- Faith Academy (5A) E
- Cherokee County (4A) E
- Anniston (4A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Oneonta (4A) E
- Homewood (6A) E
Updated 11/28/22
Our Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A Top 25 rankings gets its second-to-last update of the 2022 season entering this week’s state championship matchups. Saraland moved into the top 5 with its win over Theodore and state finalists Charles Henderson, Andalusia, and Cherokee County also moved up. Theodore (down three spots) and Montgomery Catholic (down eight) were among teams that fell after losses. The 4A-7A state title matchups to be played this week are:
- 4A – No. 15 Andalusia vs. No. 21 Cherokee County
- 5A – No. 10 Ramsay vs. No. 11 Charles Henderson
- 6A – No. 4 Saraland vs. No. 6 Mountain Brook
- 7A – No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Thompson
- Auburn (7A)
- Thompson (7A)
- Central-Phenix City (7A)
- Saraland (6A) +2
- Hoover (7A)
- Mountain Brook (6A) +1
- Theodore (6A) -3
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +1
- Ramsay (5A) +3
- Charles Henderson (5A) +4
- Pleasant Grove (5A) -1
- Muscle Shoals (6A) -1
- Hartselle (6A)
- Andalusia (4A) +2
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) -8
- UMS-Wright (5A) -1
- Gardendale (6A)
- Hueytown (6A) +1
- Faith Academy (5A) -1
- Cherokee County (4A) +3
- Anniston (4A) -1
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -1
- Oneonta (4A) -1
- Homewood (6A)
Updated 11/20/22
As we enter the final week before the AHSAA Super 7, here is the latest update of our 2022 Alabama high school football Class 4A-7A Top 25 rankings. The list is headlined by a new No. 1 team, Auburn, which takes over the top spot after its 14-13 win over Central-Phenix City Friday night. Previous No. 1 Hoover drops four spots after its loss to Thompson. The Tigers and Warriors, who are now Nos. 1-2, will face off in the Class 7A state title game next week.
Five new teams entered the rankings, headlined by Class 5A’s Charles Henderson at No. 15 after its win over UMS-Wright. The other new teams are Andalusia at No. 14, Faith Academy at No. 19, Oneonta at No. 23, and Cherokee County at No. 24.
- Auburn (7A) +2
- Thompson (7A) +2
- Central-Phenix City (7A) -1
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Hoover (7A) -4
- Saraland (6A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +3
- Ramsay (5A) +3
- Hartselle (6A) -1
- Charles Henderson (5A) NR
- UMS-Wright (5A) -5
- Andalusia (4A) NR
- Gardendale (6A) -5
- Faith Academy (5A) NR
- Hueytown (6A) -4
- Anniston (4A) -4
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -4
- Oneonta (4A) NR
- Cherokee County (4A) NR
- Homewood (6A) -1
Updated 11/13/22
With the second round of the 2022 Alabama high school football playoffs having passed, our Class 4A-7A Top 25 rankings receives its latest update, and it’s one of the most action-packed of the year so far.
Theodore, Saraland, Mountain Brook, and Montgomery Catholic all move up in the Top 10 this week, while Ramsay and Gulf Shores each climb five spots within the lower half of the rankings. Three new teams enter the Top 25: Class 6A’s Homewood debuts at No. 24 and two 5A teams, Leeds and Arab, are at 23 and 25, respectively.
- Hoover (7A) E
- Central – Phenix City (7A) E
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Saraland (6A) +1
- Mountain Brook (6A) +3
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) -4
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -2
- UMS-Wright (5A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) E
- Hartselle (6A) E
- Gardendale (6A) +3
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +4
- Ramsay (5A) +5
- Hueytown (6A) -3
- Anniston (4A) +4
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -3
- Gulf Shores (5A) +5
- Center Point (6A) -3
- Parker (6A) -7
- Leeds (5A) NR
- Homewood (6A) NR
- Arab (5A) NR
Updated 11/06/22
The first round of the 2022 Alabama high school football playoffs has come and gone, with two significant upsets taking place in Class 6A. How did those results impact our Classes 4A-7A Top 25 rankings? Parker, the team that upset defending 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville, enters the week with the No. 15 overall ranking, while the previously 5th-ranked Cougars fall 11 spots to 16th. Carver-Montgomery, which was upset by St. Paul’s Episcopal, drops out of the rankings and is replaced at No. 25 by 5A’s Gulf Shores.
- Hoover (7A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Saraland (6A) +1
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +1
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Mountain Brook (6A) +1
- UMS-Wright (5A) +1
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
- Hartselle (6A) +1
- Hueytown (6A) +1
- Parker (6A) NR
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -11
- Gardendale (6A) -1
- Center Point (6A) -1
- Muscle Shoals (6A) E
- Enterprise (7A) E
- Ramsay (5A) E
- Anniston (4A) E
- Vestavia Hills (7A) +1
- Dothan (7A) +1
- Gulf Shores (5A) NR
Week 12 – Updated 10/30/22
Ahead of the first round of the Alabama high school football playoffs, here is the latest update to our 2022 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A-7A. This week’s Top 25 is headlined by the return of Hueytown, which was ranked earlier in the season. The Golden Gophers check in at No. 15 after picking up a road win at Gardendale, 35-21. The Rockets, who were ranked just outside of the Top 10 at the time, dropped five spots to No. 16 as a result of that loss.
- Hoover (7A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) +1
- UMS-Wright (5A) +1
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
- Hartselle (6A) +1
- Hueytown (6A) NR
- Gardendale (6A) -5
- Center Point (6A) E
- Pinson Valley (6A) E
- Muscle Shoals (6A) E
- Enterprise (7A) E
- Ramsay (5A) E
- Anniston (4A) E
- Carver-Montgomery (6A) E
- Vestavia Hills (7A) E
- Dothan (7A) E
Week 11 – Updated 10/23/22
As we enter the final week of the 2022 Alabama high school football regular season, our Class 4A-7A Top 25 rankings see three new teams enter the mix, as well as a new team at No. 1. Hoover takes over the top spot after its 9-0 win over previous No. 1 Thompson last Friday night, with the Warriors dropping to No. 4 as a result. Theodore, Montgomery Catholic, and Gardendale each picked up big wins to rise within the top half of the rankings. The three newcomers are Carver-Montgomery, Vestavia Hills, and Dothan.
- Hoover (7A) +1
- Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
- Auburn (7A) +1
- Thompson (7A) -3
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) +2
- Saraland (6A) -1
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +1
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Gardendale (6A) +1
- Mountain Brook (6A) -4
- UMS-Wright (5A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) E
- Hartselle (6A) E
- Center Point (6A) +2
- Pinson Valley (6A) +2
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
- Enterprise (7A) -2
- Ramsay (5A) +3
- Anniston (4A) +4
- Carver-Montgomery (6A) NR
- Pike Road (6A) -6
- Vestavia Hills (7A) NR
- Dothan (7A) NR
Week 10 – Updated 10/16/22
After the past week’s Alabama high school football matchups, Thomson returns to the No. 1 spot in our 2022 Classes 4A-7A Top 25 rankings. Previous No. 1 Auburn fell to No. 4 after its 38-17 loss on the road to Central-Phenix City, with the Red Devils rising two spots to No. 3 as a result. Among other notable takeaways, both Pike Road and Opelika lost and subsequently fell in the rankings, and Class 7A’s Enterprise returned to the Top 25 after its 22-14 win over the Bulldogs.
- Thompson (7A) +1
- Hoover (7A)+1
- Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
- Auburn (7A) -3
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -1
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) + 2
- Gardendale (6A) +2
- UMS-Wright (5A) +2
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +2
- Hartselle (6A) +2
- Fairhope (7A) +2
- Pike Road (6A) -6
- Center Point (6A) +2
- Pinson Valley (6A) +2
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
- Enterprise (7A) NR
- Opelika (7A) -10
- Ramsay (5A) E
- Andalusia (4A) E
- Anniston (4A) E
Week 9 – Updated 10/9/22
A massive Class 7A matchup is set to take place this Friday night as No. 5 Central-Phenix City hosts top-ranked Auburn. Those teams’ places remain unchanged in our 2022 Week 9 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A-7A. In fact, there was no movement among the first 11 teams on the list, and the only newcomer is Center Point, which debuts at No. 20 after its 29-22 win over Pinson Valley. As a result of that loss, the Indians fell nine spots to No. 21.
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Hoover (7A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Pike Road (6A) E
- Opelika (7A) +1
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Gardendale (6A) +1
- UMS-Wright (5A) +1
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
- Hartselle (6A) +1
- Fairhope (7A) +1
- Moody (5A) – Up 1
- Center Point (6A) NR
- Pinson Valley (6A) -9
- Muscle Shoals (6A) -1
- Ramsay (5A) -1
- Andalusia (4A) -1
- Anniston (4A) E
Week 8 – Updated 10/2/22
How do our Classes 4A-7A rankings shape up after an important weekend in the 2022 Alabama high school football season? Hewitt-Trussville, Opelika, and Fairhope each fell in this week’s update, while Class 4A’s Anniston was the lone team to enter the Top 25. The Bulldogs remained undefeated at 7-0 after defeating Handley 32-7, adding to an impressive resume that also includes a big 30-28 win over Class 3A’s Piedmont the week prior.
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Hoover (7A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
- Pike Road (6A) +1
- Pinson Valley (6A) +1
- Opelika (7A) -2
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
- Gardendale (6A) +2
- UMS-Wright (5A) +2
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +2
- Hartselle (6A) +2
- Fairhope (7A) -4
- Moody (5A) +2
- Muscle Shoals (6A) E
- Ramsay (5A) +1
- Andalusia (4A) +1
- Hueytown (6A) +1
- Anniston (4A) – NR
Week 7 – Updated 9/25/22
Our 2022 Alabama high school football Class 4A-7A Top 25 rankings saw change at almost every spot in this week’s update, including No. 1, where Class 7A’s Auburn takes over as the top team. Thompson climbs to No. 2 after knocking off previous No. 1 Clay-Chalkville 17-14, with the Cougars falling three spots down to No. 4. Another big takeaway is the downward movement of Mountain Brook, Opelika, Gardendale, and Ramsay, each of which also lost over the weekend.
- Auburn (7A) +1
- Thompson (7A) +1
- Hoover (7A) +1
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) -3
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
- Saraland (6A) +1
- Mountain Brook (6A) -2
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +1
- Theodore (6A) +2
- Opelika (7A) -2
- Pike Road (6A) +1
- Pinson Valley (6A) +1
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Fairhope (7A) +1
- Enterprise (7A) +1
- Gardendale (6A) -6
- UMS-Wright (5A) +1
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
- Hartselle (6A) +1
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +1
- Moody (5A) +1
- Ramsay (5A) -5
- Andalusia (4A) E
- Hueytown (6A) E
Week 6 – Updated 9/18/22
As we enter an important Week 6 for teams across the state, here are our updated 2022 Alabama high school football Top 25 rankings for Classes 4A-7A. The only movement this week comes within the Top 10 after losses by two teams, Opelika and Hewitt-Trussville. The Bulldogs, who upset Central-Phenix City in Week 4, were themselves upset last week by Prattville, while the Huskies suffered a defeat at home to Hoover.
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Hoover (7A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
- Mountain Brook (6A) +1
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
- Saraland (6A) +2
- Opelika (6A) -4
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
- Gardendale (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Pike Road (6A) E
- Pinson Valley (6A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
- Fairhope (7A) E
- Enterprise (7A) E
- Ramsay (5A) E
- UMS-Wright (5A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) E
- Hartselle (6A) E
- Muscle Shoals (6A) E
- Moody (5A) E
- Andalusia (4A) E
- Hueytown (6A) E
Week 5 – Updated 9/11/22
This week’s Alabama high school football Class 4A-7A Top 25 update brings a notable amount of takeaways, including a new No. 1 sitting atop the rankings. Clay-Chalkville takes over the top spot after previous No. 1 Central-Phenix City was upset on Friday night by Opelika, 17-14. As a result of that contest, the Red Devils fall to No. 6, while the Bulldogs jump into the top-5 at No. 5. Among the other notables, Ramsay climbs four spots to No. 18 after defeating Pleasant Grove 21-14 in a Class 5A showdown, while two new teams, Moody and Andalusia, make their Top 25 debut.
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) +1
- Auburn (7A) +1
- Thompson (7A) +1
- Hoover (7A) +1
- Opelika (7A) +2
- Central-Phenix City (7A) -5
- Mountain Brook (6A) -1
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Gardendale (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Pike Road (6A) E
- Pinson Valley (6A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Fairhope (7A) +1
- Enterprise (7A) +1
- Ramsay (5A) +4
- UMS-Wright (5A) +4
- Pleasant Grove (5A) -5
- Hartselle (6A) +3
- Muscle Shoals (6A) +3
- Moody (5A) NR
- Andalusia (4A) NR
- Hueytown (6A) -5
Week 4 – Updated 9/4/22
Week 3 of the 2022 Alabama high school football season has come and gone, bringing about the fourth update of the year in our Classes 4A-7A Top 25 rankings. While there weren’t any significant risers in this week’s update, we did see three teams enter the Top 25 for the first time: UMS-Wright, Hartselle, and Muscle Shoals. All three hold a 3-0 record. UMS-Wright in particular faces a notable matchup in Week 4 as the Bulldogs take on another undefeated team in Gulf Shores.
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Auburn (7A) E
- Thompson (7A) E
- Hoover (7A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A)E
- Opelika (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Gardendale (6A) E
- Theodore (6A) E
- Pike Road (6A) E
- Pinson Valley (6A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +2
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +2
- Fairhope (7A) +3
- Enterprise (7A) -2
- Oak Mountain (7A) -4
- Hueytown (6A) +2
- Briarwood Christian (6A) +2
- Ramsay (5A) +2
- UMS-Wright (5A) NR
- Hartselle (6A) NR
- Muscle Shoals (6A) NR
Week 3 – Updated 8/28/22
After a week that included a few notable results, here is the latest update for our Alabama high school football Class 4A-7A Top 25 Rankings. With previous No. 1 Thompson having dropped its first two games of the year, Central-Phenix City takes over the top spot in this week’s update, while 6A’s Clay-Chalkville is not far behind. Several other teams, such as Oak Mountain, Pleasant Grove, and Montgomery Catholic, each saw notable rises, while 6A’s Parker is the lone team to enter the Top 25 in this week’s update.
- Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) +1
- Auburn (7A) +1
- Thompson (7A) -3
- Hoover (7A) E
- Mountain Brook (6A) E
- Opelika (7A) E
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
- Saraland (6A) E
- Gardendale (6A) +1
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Pike Road (6A) -2
- Pinson Valley (6A) E
- Oak Mountain (7A) +5
- Enterprise (7A) +2
- Pleasant Grove (5A) +4
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +4
- James Clemens (7A) E
- Fairhope (7A) +4
- Parker (6A) NR
- Hueytown (6A) -8
- Briarwood Christian (6A) E
- Ramsay (5A) -7
- Prattville (7A) E
Week 2 – Updated 8/21/22
The kickoff of the 2022 Alabama high school football season has officially come and gone, meaning that our Top 25 Rankings for Class 4A-7A now receive their first update of the year. A few teams rose in the rankings, including Auburn and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa with small steps up, and Saraland entered the Top 10. Briarwood Christian and James Clemens saw notable drops, and Hueytown experienced the biggest drop of the week as the Golden Gophers fell to previously unranked Ramsay. Thanks to the result, the Rams were the lone team to enter the Top 25 in this week’s update, coming in at No. 17.
- Thompson (7A) E
- Central-Phenix City (7A) E
- Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
- Auburn (7A) + 2
- Hoover (7A) -1
- Mountain Brook (6A) +1
- Opelika (7A) +3
- Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +3
- Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
- Saraland (6A) +2
- Pike Road (6A) -2
- Gardendale (6A) +1
- Theodore (6A) +1
- Hueytown (6A) -9
- Pinson Valley (6A) +1
- Vigor (5A) +2
- Ramsay (5A) NR
- Enterprise (7A) +1
- James Clemens (7A) -4
- Oak Mountain (7A) E
- Pleasant Grove (5A) E
- Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
- Briarwood Christian (6A) -6
- Fairhope (7A) +1
- Prattville (7A) -1
Preseason Rankings
With only a few weeks remaining until Week 1 of the 2022 Alabama high school football season, here are our preseason Top 25 rankings for Classes 4A-7A.
1 – Thompson (7A)
Topping our 2022 preseason high school football rankings in Alabama 7A-4A is Thompson, the three-time defending Class 7A state champion. The Warriors return names such as Peter Woods and Tony Mitchell from what was likely the state’s top defense a year ago, as well as one of Alabama’s top 2024 quarterbacks in rising junior Zach Sims. Despite having to replace a significant amount of production from last season, in particular on offense, Thompson will easily be one of the state’s best in 2022, as well as the team to beat in 7A once again.
2 – Central-Phenix City (7A)
Finishing as the Class 7A runner-up a year ago, Central-Phenix City returns numerous key names off that same team, including Karmello English and Tomarrion Parker, as well as having added one of the state’s top cornerbacks via transfer in AJ Harris. The Red Devils are the biggest threat to a potential Thompson four-peat in 7A, and could very easily end up winning a state title in 2022.
3 – Clay-Chalkville (6A)
The defending 6A state champions, Clay-Chalkville owned one of the state’s top offenses a year ago, and return two notable names from that group in Mario Craver and Jaylen Mbakwe. Those two will combine with the returning D’Angelo Barber and transfer addition Kamari McClellan to lead a Cougars team that could very well be the favorite in Class 6A once again.
4 – Hoover (7A)
The Buccaneers enter a new era as Wade Waldrop takes over for long-time head coach Josh Niblett at the helm of the Alabama state power. Led by returning names such as Ahamari Williams, RJ Hamilton, and Ethan Hubbard, Hoover will again be a major player in Class 7A this season, likely reaching at least a state semifinal.
5 – Hueytown (6A)
Coming in at No. 5 on our 2022 preseason Top 25 in Alabama 7A-4A is Hueytown, which owned one of the state’s top offenses a year ago, averaging 50+ PPG. That unit helped carry the Golden Gophers to a Class 6A state title game appearance. The Golden Gophers could easily do the same again in 2022, thanks to a roster headlined by one of the state’s top quarterbacks in senior Earl Woods.
6 – Auburn (7A)
Auburn lost only two games to an in-state team last season. Both defeats came at the hands of Central-Phenix City, with the second one coming in the 7A state semifinals. The Tigers are again set to be among Alabama’s best in 2022 as well, returning key names such as Bradyn Joiner and Clyde Pittman.
7 – Mountain Brook (6A)
The Spartans reached the 6A state semifinals a year ago, and could very easily make a deep run in 2022 as well. A big reason will be the Mountain Brook defense, which is one of the best in 6A, but the Spartans’ offense certainly will not lack either. That group returns notable names such as Jackson Beatty and John Colvin.
8 – Hewitt-Trussville (7A)
The Huskies’ lone losses a year ago came at the hands of Thompson and Hoover, with Hewitt-Trussville’s 2021 season coming to an end in the 7A quarterfinal round, 24-23 to the Buccaneers. Capable of making a similar run this season, the Huskies return notable names on defense such as Hunter Osborne and Rickey Gibson, while also having added transfer Connor Knight.
9 – Pike Road (6A)
After going undefeated to win the 5A state title a year ago, Pike Road moves up to Class 6A, where the Patriots could be among the top teams in the classification. The Patriots enter year one under new head coach Ed Rigby, who inherits a roster headlined by running back Anthony Rogers and offensive lineman Vysen Lang.
10 – Opelika (7A)
Opelika rounds out the first 10 teams on our 2022 preseason Top 25 in Alabama 7A-4A. The Bulldogs are one of the few teams to reclassify to 7A during the offseason, joining a deep Region 2 in the process. The Bulldogs should be one of the better teams in 7A-Region 2, led by one of the classification’s top running backs in rising senior Kaden Cooper.
11 – Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A)
12 – Saraland (6A)
13 – Gardendale (6A)
14 – Theodore (6A)
15 – James Clemens (7A)
The lone 7A member of this group, James Clemens, is is led by quarterback Gio Lopez and is a potential dark horse to make a deep run in the playoffs. The other four could all be among the top teams in 6A this season. Of that group, Theodore is the lone team to move down from 7A during the offseason. Each returns key talent, with arguably none bigger than Gardendale defensive lineman Kelby Collins.
16 – Pinson Valley (6A)
17 – Briarwood Christian (6A)
18 – Vigor (5A)
19 – Enterprise (7A)
20 – Oak Mountain (7A)
Vigor is probably the biggest name of this group after reclassifying to 5A during the offseason. The Wolves won the 4A state title in 2021. Both Pinson Valley and Briarwood Christian could be teams to watch for in Class 6A as well, with the Indians and Lions returning notable names such as TJ Metcalf and Christopher Vizzina.
21 – Pleasant Grove (5A)
22 – Spanish Fort (6A)
23 – Montgomery Catholic (4A)
24 – Prattville (7A)
25 – Fairhope (7A)
The preseason Top 25 rankings in Alabama 7A-4A concludes here with these five teams, a group led by Class 5A and 4A state title favorites, respectively, in Pleasant Grove and Montgomery Catholic. Montgomery Catholic is the lone team from this group to reclassify, having moved up to 4A.
Stay tuned next week as we release our Preseason Top 25 rankings for Alabama Classes 3A-1A.
