This is the first in an eight-part series previewing the 2022 high school football season, focusing on teams and players across our coverage area in central Alabama. There will be a preview for each classification which includes teams, players and games to watch before we release the first ABC 33/40 Power Rankings of the year and the staff’s preseason picks for the Super 7 on Aug. 17.
There is a common theme among the top teams of Class 1A entering the 2022 season. Many of them lost a lot of top-tier talent but the ones who are used to staying on top are still expected to compete for the championship. The road to Auburn is going to be a crowded one without any clear-cut favorite this season.
Teams to Watch
As is usually the case, all eyes are first on the reigning 1A champions. Sweet Water had its first undefeated season in 14 years, earning the title with a 40-16 win over Wadley at Protective Stadium. Things may not come that easily this season though as the team will have to find replacements for five all-state players and 11 seniors. That kind of reloading has been an issue in recent years as the Bulldogs have not recorded double-digit wins in consecutive seasons since 2013. However, this is still a team to watch as it has not missed the playoffs in more than two decades. Sweet Water, who opened as No. 3 in the ASWA preseason poll, has not lost a region game in four years and its hard to say they will not once again be in the running this season.
Spring Garden is in a similar situation, losing plenty of seniors, but the drop into 1A immediately makes them one of the favorites for this season. The Panthers have made it to at least the quarterfinals in each of the last four seasons but still have not gotten their hands on a blue map. It opens the year as No. 2 in the ASWA preseason rankings.
Pickens County has been another staple of the late playoff rounds, winning 21 playoff games since 2016 which is the most in the AHSAA for teams who have not won a state title during that span. The Tornados have not won a state title since 2013 but this year may be the time to get them over the hump.
Keep an eye on: Cedar Bluff, Maplesville, Hackleburg
Players to Watch
There are a handful of players returning to their teams this season after making the all-state team last year. Korbit Sommerville is one of those players, as the two-time all-state linebacker continues to lead the Pickens County defense. He saw a little bit more use on the offense last season and that could be escalated even more now as Sommerville will likely be the best athlete on the field on most Friday nights.
A duo of key players is back for Hackleburg, led by first-team all-state wide receiver Daniel Cooper who is back with his quarterback Blaise Vickery, who also earned an all-state nod. The two connected for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air last season.
Jakavion Jackson is back for Maplesville, a year after scoring 23 total touchdowns as a freshman.
Keep an eye on: Bucky Leek of Cedar Bluff, Landon Morrow of Marion County, Kemaurion Plott of Pickens County
Games to Watch
Wadley at Spring Garden, Sept. 2
Spring Garden at Cedar Bluff, Sept. 23
Marion County at Pickens County, Oct. 27