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The Tuscaloosa News

partner publisher · 12.1K followers
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Predicting every AHSAA football first-round playoff game in West Alabama

West Alabama is taking on the AHSAA football postseason starting this week. The road to an AHSAA football state championship begins Friday, Nov. 6, as teams around the state kick off the first round of the 2026 playoffs. We've broken down 18 first-round playoff matchups featuring West Alabama teams. Here's who we predict will advance to the second round. RANKINGS: West Alabama high school football top 10 rankings ahead of AHSAA playoffs PATRIOTS: American Christian Academy football snaps 14-year losing streak to Northside West Alabama AHSAA football playoff predictions Stanhope Elmore at Hillcrest (Class 5A) Undefeated Hillcrest has been dominant all season, averaging more than 52 points per game. Stanhope Elmore has struggled against stronger competition, and the Patriots should have enough firepower and defensive strength to pull away early. Our Pick: Hillcrest 49, Stanhope Elmore 17 Central at Benjamin Russell (Class 5A) Central has the explosive offense in this matchup with Ole Miss commit Tra'Von Hall and athlete Anthony Dixon, but Benjamin Russell's defense has allowed just over 11 points per game. The Wildcats have been tested in their tough 2026 schedule, and they should take the edge in what could be a competitive first half. Our Pick: Benjamin

Alabama · 1d

WBRC

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Football forfeit amid new AHSAA playoff format

Birmingham, AL · 1d

High School On SI

partner publisher · 52.3K followers
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Saraland Dominates in Second Half for Playoff Victory over Pelham

Live Score Updates from the Pelham at Saraland AHSAA Class 5A state playoff game.

Saraland, AL · 11h

tdalabamamag.com

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LIVE Alabama high school football first-round playoff updates

The first round of the Alabama high school football playoffs will be in full swing on Friday night. Touchdown Alabama will have boots on the ground at several games. LIVE updates throughout the night will be posted on this page:. Final Scores:. Gordo 52. Ider 8. Score Updates 8:26 p.m.

Alabama · 6h
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USA TODAY

partner publisher · 2.1M followers

Alabama high school football playoffs 2026: Dates, times, TV, top teams

The road to a state championship is about to get a whole lot tougher for Alabama high school football teams. After months of regular-season battles, the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs will bring together the state's top programs for a postseason run that ends with state title games in Birmingham. With championship aspirations on the line, several nationally recognized programs enter November as teams to beat, while a number of contenders will look to make their own statement. Thompson , one of the state's perennial powers, headlines the group of contenders, while Prattville and Central-Phenix City, among others, have also established themselves as teams capable of making deep postseason runs. The playoff field will feature familiar championship contenders, emerging programs and star players looking to deliver when it matters most. Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Alabama high school football playoffs, including the schedule, how to watch and the top teams and players to follow. When do Alabama high school football playoffs start? The 2026 Alabama high school football playoffs begin Thursday, Nov. 5, with the first round of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) postseason. The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoffs begin Friday,

Alabama · 1d

tigerdroppings.com

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Alabama High School Offering $180K Salary For Head Football Coach

Taking home $180,000 as a head football coach is a bit much, no? Not in Alabama... Dexerto – An Alabama high school is offering up to $180,000 a year for a new football coach, nearly three times what the state’s average teacher earns. Dothan High School is looking...

Alabama · 1d

Troy Messenger

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Ariton faces Thorsby’s high-powered offense in class 2A playoffs

The Ariton Purple Cats (7-3) will host the Thorsby Rebels (8-2) on Friday in the opening round of the Class 2A State Playoffs. It’s the 12th straight year the Cats have made the playoffs and Ariton has advanced to at least the second round in seven of the past 11 seasons.

Thorsby, AL · 1d

AL.com

publisher · 285.1K followers

ASWA poll: Check out the final Alabama high school football rankings of 2026 season

Check out the final high school football rankings of the season from the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Alabama · 2d

High School On SI

partner publisher · 52.3K followers

Alexandria vs. Hamilton: Alabama High School Football Playoff Preview, Prediction

Alexandria vs. Hamilton football playoff preview: key players, matchup analysis and a score prediction for the Alabama Class 4A first-round game.

Hamilton, AL · 10h

BroBible

publisher · 120.0K followers

New Alabama High School Football Playoff Format Forces 0-10 Team To Forfeit Against Undefeated Opponent

St. John Paul II is choosing to bow out of the high school football playoffs in Alabama. It has decided to forfeit its upcoming game against Brairwood Christian to preserve the health and safety of its student-athletes. There are not enough players available to compete. As a result, the Lions will advance to the next […] The post New Alabama High School Football Playoff Format Forces 0-10 Team To Forfeit Against Undefeated Opponent appeared first on BroBible.

Birmingham, AL · 3d

thecutoffnews.com

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Playoff Bound! Seven Cutoff Teams Ready for Friday Night!

Seven football teams covered by The Cutoff News will take the field Friday night as the Alabama high school football playoffs get underway. Teams from across the West Jefferson County area will begin their postseason journeys, hoping to keep their seasons alive and move one step closer to a state championship.

Jefferson County, AL · 1d

thehomewoodstar.com

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Football Friday: Patriots start playoff run

Friday night means gameday for the local high school football teams, and Under the Lights is back to cover Football Friday. Homewood and John Carroll are back in action Friday night, as the playoffs begin. Homewood hosts Theodore and John Carroll travels to Randolph. For updates throughout Friday night and...

Homewood, AL · 1d

birminghamtimes.com

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BBA’s Magic City HBCU Breakfast Highlights Workforce Development, Talent Retention

Business and community leaders gathered in Birmingham last week to discuss how Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities can help shape the state’s workforce, strengthen economic development and create opportunities for the next generation of professionals. The Birmingham Business Alliance hosted its 2026 Magic City HBCU Breakfast on...

Birmingham, AL · 2d

The Tuscaloosa News

partner publisher · 12.1K followers

Vote for top preseason AHSAA boys basketball star in West Alabama

It was a historic season for boys high school basketball around West Alabama from 2025-26, and another promising season appears to be in store this year. Last season, Tuscaloosa County grabbed a state title for the first time in 66 years, while Hubbertville made history in its first championship game appearance since 1948. As the 2026-27 season officially begins Thursday, Nov. 5, The Tuscaloosa News named 36 of the biggest up-and-coming boys basketball stars around West Alabama. Now, it's your turn to decide which player should be named the 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason player of the year. Readers can cast their vote now in our poll below. Voting closes at noon Thursday, Nov. 12. REQUIRED READING: Here are the West Alabama boys basketball players to know in AHSAA 2026-27 season GIRLS: Who is the top preseason girls basketball player in West Alabama? Vote now Who is the 2026-27 Tuscaloosa News preseason high school boys basketball player of the year? Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com . This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Vote for top

Alabama · 1d

AL.com

publisher · 285.1K followers

Flag football playoffs: Top-ranked Moody rolls over Loachapoka as Round 1 wraps up

The opening round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association flag football playoffs wrapped up on Thursday with four games – three in Class 1A/4A and one in Class 5A. Most of the first round played out on Tuesday with a pair of games on Wednesday. Wednesday, Class 6A...

Alabama · 12h

The Tuscaloosa News

partner publisher · 12.1K followers

Alabama administrator named Universities of Wisconsin president

A longtime University of Alabama System administrator has been selected as the next president of the Universities of Wisconsin. The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Oct. 30 voted unanimously to appoint Tonjanita "Tonja" L. Johnson as the system's next president. Johnson, 57, currently serves as senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the University of Alabama System, a position she has held since 2019. She is expected to begin her new role on or about Jan. 1. Johnson oversees academic and student affairs across the UA System, including academic planning, student success initiatives, institutional research and statewide policy development. She also serves as a liaison to the UA System board of trustees and represents Alabama's public universities before government agencies and national higher education organizations. "I am deeply honored by the confidence the Board of Regents has placed in me and excited about the opportunity to serve the people of Wisconsin," Johnson said in a statement. "Public higher education has the power to improve lives, strengthen communities and shape a state's future." Johnson will become the 10th president of the Universities of Wisconsin, which includes 13 public universities and serves more than 160,000 students statewide. More:

Wisconsin · 3d

citizenofeastalabama.com

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Lady Red Devils streak now at 65

With a decisive 45-7 victory over Prattville High at Garrett-Harrison Stadium, the Central High Lady Red Devils captured their 65th consecutive win against an Alabama high school flag football team and their 14th win of the 2026 season. Now holding a 14-2 overall record, Central has secured the 6A Region 2 title and a first-round bye. The team will return to action next Tuesday at Wayne Trawick Field to face the winner of the matchup between Mary G. Montgomery High and Carver-Montgomery High.

Prattville, AL · 2d

Shelby Reporter

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Column: Don’t blame JPII, blame the AHSAA for a bad playoff format

Editor's Note: A previous version of the story mentioned a lawsuit launched by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth against the AHSAA. The lawsuit was fronted by Governor Kay Ivey. SCR regrets the error. The past year in Alabama high school athletics has been turbulent to say the least, as all of...

Alabama · 2d

wiareport.com

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A Change in Leadership at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital

Brenda Carlisle, chief executive officer of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, has announced she will retire at the end of 2026. The university has selected Michelle Fortune, executive vice president of hospital operations, to serve as interim CEO. Carlisle was named interim CEO of UAB Hospital in...

Birmingham, AL · 2d

Shelby Reporter

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Two Spain Park seniors named semifinalists for prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Program

HOOVER – Two Spain Park High School seniors have earned national recognition for their academic achievements, leadership and community service after being named semifinalists for the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Hillty Tran and Stella Wilson are among just 23 Alabama students selected as semifinalists and 1,227 nationwide, representing a...

Hoover, AL · 1d