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   The best of the best in Alabama High   
  School Football over the past 100 seasons.





2024 Football Preseason Preview


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2024   Class 1A  Top Ten
1. Leroy (14-0) 6. Hackleburg (11-2)
2. Wadley (11-2) 7. Maplesville (8-5)
3. Elba (13-1)8. Pickens County (10-4)
4. Brantley (8-5) 9. Georgiana (10-2)
5. Sweet Water (9-2) 10. Linden (6-3)
    
 
2024/25 Reclassification 
Teams Moving Out of 1A New Teams to 1A 
A.L. Johnson (No team) Autauga Academy (AISA)
Calhoun (2A) Fayetteville (2A)
Cedar Bluff (2A) Francis Marion (2A)
Central Hayneville (2A) Ider (2A)
Coosa Christian (2A) Pickens Academy (AISA)
Decatur Heritage (2A) Woodland (2A)
Houston County (2A)
Loachapoka (2A)
Talladega County Central (closed)
 
  2024 Predictions
 
      Class 1A is always the most difficult to predict. One player here and there can make a huge difference in how a team will perform throughout the season and the playoffs.  

      Fans should expect to see Leroy still playing football in late November and possibly into December as the Bears will reload and make a run at their third straight state championship in 2024.

      Wadley returns star running back Jaquez Wilkes in the backfield which will put them in contention for another deep playoff run this year. 

     If you think the Elba Tigers are going to be a run first offense this season you would be 100% correct.  With a healthy Alvin Henderson there is not any reason to do anything but hand the ball off to the big running back and let him do his thing.  If the defense holds up and the Tigers get a lead in any game they will be difficult to defeat.

      Brantley will return nine starters to the offense and all eleven starters to a very good defense this season.  Look for the Bulldogs to be in the thick of things this fall in 1A as they will put a veteran group of athletes on the field.

     The Sweet Water Bulldogs return thirteen seniors and will be a team to watch in the south.  If a few of the young players step up the Bulldogs should make another playoff run.

     The Panthers from Georgiana have come a long way from being 0-10 just two seasons ago to having one of the best defenses in all of 1A.  They return eight starters on offense and six on defense so look for Georgiana to be around in the later playoff weeks in 2024.

      Hackleburg returns starting quarterback Blaise Vickery and a very good running back in Davin Dulaney so the prospects are good for another great season for the Panthers from Hackleburg.

      Other teams to keep an eye on this year who could upset the apple cart include Millry, Keith, Addison and Valley Head.

      There will be plenty of excitement in 1A as the teams progress through the season.  Realistically there are at least five teams with a great chance to win a state championship in 2024.

 
Playoff Teams
Region 1Region 2
Leroy Elba
Sweet Water Brantley
Millry Georgiana
Southern Choctaw McKenzie
    
Region 3 Region 4
Linden Maplesville
University Charter Keith
Choctaw County Autauga Academy
Pickens Academy Notasulga
   
Region 5 Region 6
Pickens County Wadley
South Lamar Winterboro
Lynn Fayetteville
Marion County Woodland
   
Region 7 Region 8
Hackleburg Valley Head
Addison Spring Garden
Meek Woodville
Shoals Christian Ragland
   


 Most Difficult Schedules 2024
 
   The Elba Tigers have the most difficult schedule in 1A.  They will face off against Luverne, Glenwood School and Goshen in non-region games along with playing in a very tough region.  Brantley has the second most difficult schedule and ironically they reside in the same region with Elba.

Toughest Overall
Brantley 63 48
Elba 61 50
Sweet Water 61 51
South Lamar 58 53
Southern Choctaw 53 51
Wadley 44 43
Hubbertville 58 55
J.F. Shields 49 48
Lynn 55 56
Maplesville 48 49
Weighted Schedule * See note below
Elba 71.8  
Brantley 69.9  
Sweet Water 69.4  
South Lamar 68.2  
Wadley 59.6  
Leroy 58.3  
Hubbertville 58.0  
Appalachian 57.3  
Woodland 56.9  
Pickens County 56.5  

* Weighted schedule - AHSFHS.org uses a formula to better show teams with difficult schedule. Example: If a team plays an opponent from a higher classification they are awarded extra points above their opponents win total. If they play an opponent from a lower classification points are deducted from their opponents win total. If a team plays an opponent from two classifications lower than their own more points are deducted.
 
 Most Victories 2010-2023
 
   Maplesville has been the most consistent winner in 1A over the past fourteen years piling up 158 victories along with three state championships. It seems the usual suspects are on this list but it is changing with a few different schools coming onto the horizon lately that may be creeping toward the top over the next few seasons.
Titles
  Maplesville     158-26     85.9%   3
  Elba     141-34     80.6%   2
  Brantley     142-37     79.3%   1
  Linden     136-38     78.2%   1
  Sweet Water     134-43     75.7%   3
  Pickens County     145-48     75.1%   1
  Autauga Academy     124-43     74.3%   4
  Addison     117-46     71.8%  
  Spring Garden     113-51     68.9%  
  Leroy     120-56     68.2%   3
  Hackleburg     106-55     65.8%  
  Hubbertville     104-56     65.0%  
  Ragland     103-57     64.4%  
  Wadley     102-58     63.8%  


 
 Last 25 seasons (1999-2023) 
 
    The same schools top our 1A list with Brantley leading Maplesville, Linden and Sweet Water. Those four schools have won 13 of the last 25 state championships. Only three teams have won more games in any classification than Brantley.

    Eight of the top nine teams have won at least one championship since 1999 which shows how evenly the schools have been matched up during that time. Only Wadley is without a title.
Titles
  Brantley 265-59 82% 2
  Maplesville 251-66 79% 3
  Linden 227-73 76% 1
  Sweet Water 235-81 74% 7
  Leroy 241-83 74% 7
  Addison 215-78 73% 1
  Autauga Academy 211-82 72% 5
  Wadley 212-86 71%
  Pickens County 230-93 71% 1
  Elba 199-94 68% 2
  Ragland 185-100 65%
  Hackleburg 171-111 61%
  Millry 173-111 61%
  Southern Choctaw 162-117 58% 2
  Lynn 153-121 56%
  Pickens Academy 147-128 54% 1
  Marion County 148-127 54% 1
  Spring Garden 149-128 54%




David Parker
  AHSFHS.org
  dparker@ahsfhs.org





Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

The first football game played by a high school team in Alabama was in 1892 when Central Birmingham (Phillips) lost to Alabama 56-0 on November 11.