This is the sixth 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.
The largest classification just by number of players in Class 6A so it makes sense the class is loaded with talent every year. And while that talent is certainly spread out across the field, this year’s focus will be even more on the quarterback position and for good reason.
There are several quarterbacks in 6A who have had a busy offseason on the recruiting trail but before they go off to play Division-I football, they all have their eyes on the state championship game.
Hueytown’s Earl Woods was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year last season and is one of the favorites for this year’s Mr. Football. He is hoping to get the Golden Gophers back to the Super 7 this season.
Meanwhile, Ethan Crawford of Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa is trying to enter that conversation in his final season while searching for revenge on Woods and Hueytown after last year’s semifinal defeat. Clemson commit Christopher Vizzina is the state’s top quarterback recruit and will be trying to get Briarwood its first title since 2003.
Woods Ray is returning for Homewood and four-star recruit Kamari McClellan is taking the reins for Clay-Chalkville.
And that’s not even the complete list.
We may not know which quarterback will lift the blue map at the end of the season but we do know the competition will be fun to watch for high school football fans.
Teams to Watch
It is hard to talk about 6A without leading with the two teams who compete in the title game last season. Clay-Chalkville and Hueytown both have plenty of key pieces returning to two of the highest scoring offenses in the state from a year ago. The Cougars are just as talented as they were last season with even more experience under their belt which is why they enter as the unanimous No. 1 team in the ASWA preseason poll.
As mentioned above, Briarwood has not won a state title since 2003 and has actually been quiet by the program’s standards in recent seasons. The Lions still have their playoff streak alive but have not been past the second round during their four seasons in 6A. But there is a lot of faith with the current roster and a player as talented as Vizzina can carry a team pretty far in November.
Mountain Brook enters the season as the No. 2 team in the preseason rankings. Since its escape from the region of death in Class 7A, the Spartans have won 24 games including six in the playoffs in just two years. A six-point loss to Clay-Chalkville in last season’s semifinal is likely to be a motivating factor for this season.
Keep an eye on: Gardendale, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Pinson Valley
Players to Watch
With the quarterbacks already out of the way, we can focus on the talent across the rest of the field.
Gardendale’s Kelby Collins and Dallas Young are back to lead a defense which gave up just 17 points per game in contests against teams not named Clay-Chalkville. Young is an Arkansas commit while Collins recently committed to Florida.
Speaking of Clay-Chalkville’s offense, Jaylen Mbakwe and Mario Craver are both back for the Cougars which is bad news for pretty much any defense in 6A. The duo combined for over 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns in the passing game. They will be crucial in helping the offense not miss a beat while replacing last year’s starting backfield.
Khalifa Keith made a name for himself while carrying Parker to the 5A quarterfinals last season. He rushed for 28 touchdowns while rushing for 156 yards per game and averaging 9.88 yards per carry.
Keep an eye on: Jordan Washington of Helena, Woods Ray of Homewood, Travaris Banks of Northridge
Games to Watch
Clay-Chalkville at Hueytown, Aug. 26
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa at Hueytown, Sept. 9
Gardendale at Parker, Sept. 17
Helena at Briarwood, Sept. 30
Gardendale at Mountain Brook, Oct. 21