Potential shakeups in store for this week's Alabama Sports Writers Association high school football poll

By PAUL BEAUDRY
For The ASWA 

Things have been a little stagnant at the top of the Alabama Sports Writers Association's high school football poll over the last couple of weeks.

That's why there's nothing like an out-of-region week to shake things up as the No. 1 team in the five of the six Alabama High School Athletic Association classes play ranked teams, teams just peering into the top 10 or larger schools. And the Alabama Independent Schools Association could see major turnover as five of the top six schools play ranked teams.

If you're looking for the wow factor, there's the traditional matchup between No. 1 Hoover and visiting No.5 Vestavia Hills. Want to see a good regional battle? Class 5A No. 10 Cullman is at Class 3A No. 1 Madison Academy.

McAdory increased its lead in Class 5A this week over Spanish Fort, but will play at undefeated Center Point, which received votes in this week's Class 5A poll. Class 4A No.1 Calera is at Class 5A Shelby County and Class 1A No. 1 Pickens County hosts Class 2A Aliceville, which is sporting a 3-1 record.

In the AISA, No. 1 Edgewood Academy is at No. 10 Autauga Academy, but the showcase battle is No. 2 Tuscaloosa Academy hosting No. 3 Restoration, while Fort Dale will host Monroe Academy to break a tie among the two teams tied for fifth in this week's poll of the state's high school writers.

In other games among ranked teams on slate for the weekend, Class 6A No. 7 Smiths Station plays host to Class 4A No. 8 Beauregard, Class 4A No.7 Munford is at No. 4 Central-Clay County and Class 3A No. 4 Leeds hosts No. 2 Piedmont.

ASWA High School Football Poll
Week 4

(First place votes and record in parentheses).

Others receiving votes: Murphy (4-0) 22, Bessemer City (4-0) 18, Fairhope (4-0) 15, Florence (3-1) 8, Spain Park (4-0) 7, Oxford (2-2) 2.

Others receiving votes: Eufaula (4-0) 22, Hartselle (3-1) 22, Center Point (4-0) 8, Etowah (4-0) 8, Demopolis (3-1) 4, Southside-Gadsden (4-0) 3.

Others receiving votes: Madison Co. (3-1) 19, Central-Florence (4-0) 15, Bibb Co. (4-0) 12, J.O. Johnson (3-1) 11, Sardis (4-0) 7, Cleburne Co. (3-1) 6, Dora (3-1) 6, Tallassee (3-1) 5, Ardmore (4-0) 3, Guntersville (3-1) 1.

Others receiving votes: Lauderdale Co. (3-1) 31, Dale Co. (4-0) 27, Winfield (4-0) 10, Daleville (3-1) 8, Hamilton (3-1) 6, New Hope (3-1) 4, Slocomb (3-1) 4, Bayside (2-2) 3, Geneva (1-3) 3, Good Hope (4-0) 3, Gordo (3-1) 2, Hanceville (3-1) 2, Deshler (2-2) 1, W.S. Neal (3-1) 1.

Others receiving votes: G.W. Long (3-1) 34, Sweet Water (3-1) 21, Cottonwood (4-0) 19, Reeltown (2-2) 8, Ranburne (4-0) 6, Isabella (4-0) 2, New Brockton (1-3) 1, Walter Wellborn (2-2) 1.

Others receiving votes: R.A. Hubbard (3-1)29, Valley Head (4-0) 25, Collinsville (4-0) 17, Hubbertville (3-1) 6, Berry (2-2) 4, Parrish (1-3) 2, Ragland (2-1) 2, Cedar Bluff (2-2) 1, Fayetteville (3-1) 1, Marengo (3-1) 1.

Others receiving votes: Kingwood Chr. (4-1) 20, Wilcox Acad. (3-1) 11, Abbeville Chr. (4-1) 9, Patrician (3-2) 7, Lee-Scott (2-2) 4, Macon-East (2-2) 2.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association prep committee members are: Paul Beaudry (Chairman), Alabama Media Group; Josh Bean, AL.com; Ed Bailey, Alexander City Outlook; Andrew Garner, Andalusia Star-News; Jonathan Deal, Athens News Courier; Brandon Miller, Anniston Star; Jeff Sentell, Birmingham News; Adam Robinson, Brewton Standard; Rob Rice, Blount Countian; Shannon Fagan, Cherokee Herald; Ross Wood, Clarke Co. Democrat; Rob Ketcham, Cullman Times; Jonathon Bentley, Daily Mountain Eagle; Justin Graves, Decatur Daily; David Mundee, Dothan Eagle; Lee Peacock, Evergreen Courant; Newton Peters, Florala News; Gregg Dewalt, Florence TimesDaily; Lew Gilliland, Fort Payne Times-Journal; Dennis Victory, Freelance (Birmingham); Chris McCarthy, Gadsden Messenger; Nick Johnston, Gadsden Times; Davis Potter, Hamilton Journal Record; Daniel Boyette, Huntsville Times; Ben Thomas, Mobile Press-Register; Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser; Robert Carter, North Jefferson News; Jason Galloway, Opelika-Auburn News; Shannon Allen, Sand Mountain Reporter; Jason Bowen, Scottsboro Daily Sentinel; Lavonte Young, Talladega Daily Home; Griffin Pritchard, Tallassee Tribune; Andrew Carroll, Tuscaloosa News; Cory Diaz, Wetumpka Herald.