Composite Top 25: Classes 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A

Updated 12/10/2023 – Final

Our final 2023 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A-7A is headlined by a new No. 1 team as Central-Phenix City finishes atop the list. In addition to the Red Devils, other state champions are 6A’s Clay-Chalkville (No. 2), 5A’s Gulf Shores (No. 9), and 4A’s Montgomery Catholic (No. 8).

1. Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
2. Clay-Chalkville (6A) +1
3. Saraland (6A) -2
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Parker (6A) +1
6. Muscle Shoals (6A) +1
7. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +1
8. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +2
9. Gulf Shores (5A) +2
10. Ramsay (5A) -5
11. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) -2
12. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
13. Auburn (7A) E
14. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
15. Cherokee County (4A) E
16. Pike Road (6A) E
17. Guntersville (5A) E
18. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
19. Enterprise (7A) E
20. Mountain Brook (6A) E
21. Westminster Christian (4A) E
22. Eufaula (5A) E
23. West Morgan (4A) E
24. Booker T. Washington (4A) E
25. Jackson (4A) E

Updated 12/3/2023

The second-to-last update of our 2023 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A-7A sees a notable rise by Class 4A’s Cherokee County, which moves up six spots to No. 15. The Warriors are coming off an impressive 50-6 defeat of Westminster Christian.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Ramsay (5A) E
6. Parker (6A) E
7. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
8. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
9. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
10. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
11. Gulf Shores (5A) +1
12. Vestavia Hills (7A) -2
13. Auburn (7A) E
14. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
15. Cherokee County (4A) +6
16. Pike Road (6A) -1
17. Guntersville (5A) E
18. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
19. Enterprise (7A) E
20. Mountain Brook (6A) E
21. Westminster Christian (4A) -5
22. Eufaula (5A) E
23. West Morgan (4A) E
24. Booker T. Washington (4A) E
25. Jackson (4A) E

Updated 11/27/2023

As we enter the semifinal round of the state playoffs, here is the latest update of our 2023 Classes 4A-7A rankings for Alabama high school football. This week’s update includes four teams joining the Top-25: Guntersville (No. 17), Cherokee County (No. 21), Eufaula (No. 22), and Booker T. Washington (No. 24).

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Ramsay (5A) +1
6. Parker (6A) +5
7. Muscle Shoals (6A) -2
8. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
9. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) -1
10. Vestavia Hills (7A) -1
11. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +2
12. Gulf Shores (5A) +2
13. Auburn (7A) -1
14. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) +1
15. Pike Road (6A) +5
16. Westminster Christian (4A) +9
17. Guntersville (5A) NR
18. Pleasant Grove (5A) -8
19. Enterprise (7A) -3
20. Mountain Brook (6A) -1
21. Cherokee County (4A) NR
22. Eufaula (5A) NR
23. West Morgan (4A) -5
24. Booker T. Washington (4A) NR
25. Jackson (4A) -8

Updated 11/19/2023

In an update full of movement, four new teams enter our 2023 Alabama high school football Top-25 rankings ahead of the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. Those four teams are Benjamin Russell, Gadsden City, Jacksonville, and Westminster Christian, which come in the Nos. 22-25 spots, respectively.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Muscle Shoals (6A) +1
6. Ramsay (5A) +2
7. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +2
8. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +2
9. Vestavia Hills (7A) -4
10. Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
11. Parker (6A) +1
12. Auburn (7A) -5
13. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
14. Gulf Shores (5A) +4
15. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) +5
16. Enterprise (7A) -3
17. Jackson (4A) +4
18. West Morgan (4A) +6
19. Mountain Brook (6A) -3
20. Pike Road (6A) +5
21. Andalusia (4A) -6
22. Benjamin Russell (6A) NR
23. Gadsden City (6A) NR
24. Jacksonville (4A) NR
25. Westminster Christian (4A) NR

Updated 11/13/2023

After the first round of the Alabama high school football playoffs, three teams enter the Top-25 of our Classes 4A-7A rankings: Oxford, West Morgan, and Pike Road, at Nos. 23-25, respectively. Both Oxford and Pike Road are 9-2 in Class 6A, while West Morgan is undefeated at 11-0 in 4A.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
7. Auburn (7A) E
8. Ramsay (5A) E
9. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
10. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
11. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
12. Parker (6A) E
13. Enterprise (7A) +1
14. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
15. Andalusia (4A) +1
16. Mountain Brook (6A) +2
17. Hartselle (6A) +2
18. Gulf Shores (5A) +2
19. Hoover (7A) +2
20. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) +2
21. Jackson (4A) +3
22. Spanish Fort (6A) +3
23. Oxford (6A) NR
24. West Morgan (4A) NR
25. Pike Road (6A) NR

Updated 11/7/2023

With the 2023 Alabama high school football playoffs set to begin this week, here is the latest update of our Classes 4A-7A rankings. The lone takeaway from this week’s update is the return of Class 7A’s Baker, which enters at No. 17 after upsetting a ranked Mountain Brook team on the road, 37-28. As a result of their loss, the Spartans fell five spots to No. 18.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
7. Auburn (7A) E
8. Ramsay (5A) E
9. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
10. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
11. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
12. Parker (6A) E
13. Dothan (7A) +1
14. Enterprise (7A) +1
15. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
16. Andalusia (4A) +1
17. Baker (7A) NR
18. Mountain Brook (6A) -5
19. Hartselle (6A) -1
20. Gulf Shores (5A) -1
21. Hoover (7A) -1
22. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
23. Central-Clay County (5A) E
24. Jackson (4A) E
25. Spanish Fort (6A) E

Updated 10/29/23

Entering the final week of the 2023 Alabama high school football season, two new teams join our Top-25 rankings: 4A’s Jackson and 6A’s Spanish Fort. The Aggies sit at 8-0 overall for the season, while Spanish Fort enters the week at 8-2, having won its last six games.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
7. Auburn (7A) E
8. Ramsay (5A) E
9. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
10. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
11. Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
12. Parker (6A) +1
13. Mountain Brook (6A) +1
14. Dothan (7A) +1
15. Enterprise (7A) +1
16. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
17. Andalusia (4A) -7
18. Hartselle (6A) +1
19. Gulf Shores (5A) +1
20. Hoover (7A) -2
21. Cherokee County (4A) +1
22. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) +1
23. Central-Clay County (5A) +2
24. Jackson (4A) NR
25. Spanish Fort (6A) NR

Updated 10/22/2023

The lone movement in this week’s update of our 2023 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A-7A comes within the Top-10, as Hewitt-Trussville falls four spots from No. 5 to No. 9. The Huskies suffered a 50-29 loss at home to unranked Spain Park.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) +1
6. Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
7. Auburn (7A) E
8. Ramsay (5A) +1
9. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -4
10. Andalusia (4A) E
11. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
12. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
13. Parker (6A) E
14. Mountain Brook (6A) E
15. Dothan (7A) E
16. Enterprise (7A) E
17. Montgomery Catholic (4A) E
18. Hoover (7A) E
19. Hartselle (6A) E
20. Gulf Shores (5A) E
21. Theodore (6A) E
22. Cherokee County (4A) E
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
24. Helena (6A) E
25. Central-Clay County (5A) E 

Updated 10/15/2023

Class 5A’s Central-Clay County debuts in the latest update of our 2023 Classes 4A-7A Alabama high school football rankings. The 25th-ranked Volunteers (7-0) are the fourth 5A team to be ranked, joining Ramsay, Pleasant Grove, and Gulf Shores.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +2
6. Vestavia Hills (7A) -1
7. Auburn (7A) +2
8. Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
9. Ramsay (5A) +2
10. Andalusia (4A) +2
11. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +2
12. Pleasant Grove (5A) +2
13. Parker (6A) +2
14. Mountain Brook (6A) -6
15. Dothan (7A) +10
16. Enterprise (7A) -10
17. Montgomery Catholic (4A) -1
18. Hoover (7A) -1
19. Hartselle (6A) -1
20. Gulf Shores (5A) -1
21. Theodore (6A) E
22. Cherokee County (4A) E
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
24. Helena (6A) E
25. Central-Clay County (5A) NR

Updated 10/8/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A rankings features little movement, with only a handful of teams changing spots as a result of Friday night’s action. Among them were Hewitt-Trussville and Dothan, who fell to Thompson and Central-Phenix City, respectively.

1. Saraland (6A) E
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
4. Thompson (7A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Enterprise (7A) +1
7. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
8. Mountain Brook (6A) E
9. Auburn (7A) E
10. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
11. Ramsay (5A) E
12. Andalusia (4A) E
13. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
14. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
15. Parker (6A) E
16. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
17. Hoover (7A) +1
18. Hartselle (6A) -2
19. Gulf Shores (5A) E
20. Baker (7A) +1
21. Theodore (6A) +1
22. Cherokee County (4A) +1
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) +1
24. Helena (6A) +1
25. Dothan (7A) -5

Updated 10/1/2023

The latest update of our Alabama high school football Class 4A-7A Top 25 rankings features a new team atop the list for the first time this season: The Saraland Spartans move to No. 1 in the wake of Thompson’s 36-33 loss to Clay-Chalkville. Thompson drops from the top spot to No. 4, while one new team, Class 7A’s Dothan, enters the rankings at No. 20. The Wolves defeated Baker Friday night by a final score of 35-14.

1. Saraland (6A) +1
2. Central-Phenix City (7A) +1
3. Clay-Chalkville (6A) +1
4. Thompson (7A) -3
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
7. Enterprise (7A) E
8. Mountain Brook (6A) E
9. Auburn (7A) E
10. Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
11. Ramsay (5A) E
12. Andalusia (4A) +3
13. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +3
14. Pleasant Grove (5A) +7
15. Parker (6A) -5
16. Hartselle (6A) +1
17. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
18. Hoover (7A) -4
19. Gulf Shores (5A) E
20. Dothan (7A) NR
21. Baker (7A) -8
22. Theodore (6A) -2
23. Cherokee County (4A) -1
24. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) -1
25. Helena (6A) E

Updated 9/24/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Top-25 rankings for Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A and Independents includes the season debut of the Helena Huskies at No. 25. Helena, which enters the week undefeated at 5-0 in Class 6A, has outscored opponents a combined 208-62 so far this season.

1. Thompson (7A) E
2. Saraland (6A) E
3. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
4. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
7. Enterprise (7A) E
8. Mountain Brook (6A) E
9. Auburn (7A) E
10. Parker (6A) E
11. Ramsay (5A) E
12. Muscle Shoals (6A) +1
13. Baker (7A) +1
14. Hoover (7A) -2
15. Andalusia (4A) +1
16. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
17. Hartselle (6A) +1
18. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
19. Gulf Shores (5A) +1
20. Theodore (6A) -5
21. Pleasant Grove (5A) E
22. Cherokee County (4A) E
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
24. Oxford (6A) E
25. Helena (6A) NR

Updated 9/17/2023

This week’s update of our 2023 Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A Top-25 rankings sees little movement compared to prior updates this season, with only two programs dropping as a result of Friday night’s games. Those two teams were Hoover at No. 12 and Pleasant Grove at No. 21. The Buccaneers fell to Vestavia Hills 26-7, while the Spartans dropped a 49-17 decision to Ramsay.

1. Thompson (7A) E
2. Saraland (6A) E
3. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
4. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
7. Enterprise (7A) E
8. Mountain Brook (6A) E
9. Auburn (7A) E
10. Parker (6A) E
11. Ramsay (5A) +1
12. Hoover (7A) -1
13. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
14. Baker (7A) E
15. Theodore (6A) E
16. Andalusia (4A) E
17. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
18. Hartselle (6A) E
19. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
20. Gulf Shores (5A) +1
21. Pleasant Grove (5A) -2
22. Cherokee County (4A) E
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) E
24. Oxford (6A) E
25. Handley (4A) E

Updated 9/11/2023

After a Week 3 that included multiple upsets, here’s the latest update of our 2023 Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A rankings. This week’s update brings about three new teams – Mary G. Montgomery, Oxford, and Handley – to the Top-25 in the Nos. 23-25 spots. Each is undefeated at 3-0; the most notable is 7A’s Mary G. Montgomery, which has defeated ranked teams (Charles Henderson and Foley) in back-to-back weeks.

1. Thompson (7A) E
2. Saraland (6A) E
3. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
4. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) E
6. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) +2
7. Enterprise (7A) -1
8. Mountain Brook (6A) +1
9. Auburn (7A) -2
10. Parker (6A) E
11. Hoover (7A) E
12. Ramsay (5A) E
13. Muscle Shoals (6A) E
14. Baker (7A) E
15. Theodore (6A) E
16. Andalusia (4A) E
17. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
18. Hartselle (6A) +1
19. Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
20. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
21. Gulf Shores (5A) +3
22. Cherokee County (4A) +3
23. Mary G. Montgomery (7A) NR
24. Oxford (6A) NR
25. Handley (4A) NR

Updated 9/3/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Alabama high school football Classes 4A-7A Top-25 rankings features the rise of Enterprise, which jumps seven spots into the Top 10 after its 17-16 win over Auburn last Friday night. Also included in this latest update is Parker, which climbs two spots after a big win over previously Top 10-ranked Ramsay. One newcomer debuts at No. 25, Class 4A’s Cherokee County, which sits at an undefeated 2-0 on the year.

1. Thompson (7A) E
2. Saraland (6A) E
3. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
4. Clay-Chalkville (6A) E
5. Vestavia Hills (7A) +1
6. Enterprise (7A) +7
7. Auburn (7A) -2
8. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) E
9. Mountain Brook (6A) +1
10. Parker (6A) +2
11. Hoover (7A) -4
12. Ramsay (5A) -3
13. Muscle Shoals (6A) -2
14. Baker (7A) E
15. Theodore (6A) E
16. Andalusia (4A) E
17. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) +1
18. Austin (7A) +1
19. Hartselle (6A) +1
20. Pleasant Grove (5A) +1
21. Montgomery Catholic (4A) +1
22. Dothan (7A) +1
23. Foley (7A) +1
24. Gulf Shores (5A) +1
25. Cherokee County (4A) NR

Updated 8/27/2023

After a Week 1 full of upsets and big-time matchups, here is the latest update to our 2023 Alabama high school football rankings for Classes 4A through 7A. Auburn and Vestavia Hills each moved up within the Top 10 after picking up big wins over Hoover and Mountain Brook, respectively. Baker, Austin, Foley, and Gulf Shores all entered the Top-25, with the Hornets and Black Bears pulling off upset victories over Theodore and Hartselle, respectively.

1. Thompson (7A) E
2. Saraland (6A) E
3. Central-Phenix City (7A) E
4. Clay-Chalkville (6A) +1
5. Auburn (7A) +1
6. Vestavia Hills (7A) +3
7. Hoover (7A) -3
8. Hewitt-Trussville (7A) -1
9. Ramsay (5A) +2
10. Mountain Brook (6A) -2
11. Muscle Shoals (6A) +2
12. Parker (6A) +2
13. Enterprise (7A) +2
14. Baker (7A) NR
15. Theodore (6A) -5
16. Andalusia (4A) E
17. Charles Henderson (5A) E
18. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) E
19. Austin (7A) NR
20. Hartselle (6A) -8
21. Pleasant Grove (5A) -1
22. Montgomery Catholic (4A) -1
23. Dothan (7A) +2
24. Foley (7A) NR
25. Gulf Shores (5A) NR

Preseason Top 25 – Updated 8/20/2023

The 2023 Alabama high school football season has arrived, with Week 1 set to bring about a number of intriguing matchups. Below is our preseason Top-25 rankings for Classes 4A through 7A; the list will be updated weekly throughout the season.

Holding the No. 1 spot in our preseason rankings entering the 2023 Alabama high school football season is four-time defending Class 7A state champion Thompson, and at No. 2 is Saraland, which won the 6A title. Ramsay, winner of the Class 5A state title, begins the season ranked at No. 11, while defending 4A champion Andalusia sits at No. 16.

1. Thompson (7A)
2. Saraland (6A)
3. Central-Phenix City (7A)
4. Hoover (7A)
5. Clay-Chalkville (6A)
6. Auburn (7A)
7. Hewitt-Trussville (7A)
8. Mountain Brook (6A)
9. Vestavia Hills (7A)
10. Theodore (6A)
11. Ramsay (5A)
12. Hartselle (6A)
13. Muscle Shoals (6A)
14. Parker (6A)
15. Enterprise (7A)
16. Andalusia (4A)
17. Charles Henderson (5A)
18. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A)
19. Homewood (6A)
20. Pleasant Grove (5A)
21. Montgomery Catholic (4A)
22. Opelika (7A)
23. Prattville (7A)
24. Hueytown (6A)
25. Dothan (7A)