High school football “Week One” is in two weeks, and five Tuscaloosa-area programs are represented in the Alabama Sports Writers’ Associations Poll. From the Green Wave of Gordo High School to the AISA Tuscaloosa Academy Knights, there is a lot to be excited about if you are a fan of preps football in west Alabama.
In 6A, the hi...
With spring football games happening all around Tuscaloosa, it is time to feature some of the most notable high school football programs around the Druid City!
The Northridge Jaguars have announced their opponent for their upcoming spring game later this week - the crosstown 4A powerhouse, American Christian Academy.
After a devastating loss to end a Cinderella season, the Northside Rams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Still, Gordo, ACA, and Pickens County all won and advanced to the semifinals of the AHSAA playoffs. With the turf fields of Bryant-Denny Stadium looking green as ever, it is crunch time for the three teams if they want to catch the elusive “blue map.”
With less than three weeks left of high school football left in the 2020 season, Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area have been left with only four schools still in the playoff race. While the legendary “blue map” is still possible for any of these four teams- Gordo, ACA, Northside, and Pickens County- the three 4A schools are on a collision course that could happen in the semifinals or even the championship game.
With their 27-21 victory over the Mobile Christian Leopards (9-2, 5-1) Friday, the American Christian Patriots (12-0, 7-0) have secured a trip to round three of the playoffs. Leading the way for the Patriots was quarterback Hunter Sute, whose 173 passing yards and two touchdowns led to an uncharacteristically low-scoring game for ACA.
As Round 2 of the playoffs looms, only one of the teams, ACA, will be playing from home. Every other team will be traveling to every corner of the state. From Madison County and Decatur in north Alabama to Opelika in east Alabama, teams around the Druid City are fighting hard to keep their hopes alive for a state title game appearance in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Now that the regular season has concluded, excitement is buzzing in the Druid City in preparation for the Super 7 State Championships that will take place at the beginning of December in Bryant-Denny Stadium. In a season that has seen unlikely upsets, high-scoring shootouts, and many forfeits due to COVID-19, six teams remain in contention for the state title.
Now that region play is over, many teams across west Alabama are preparing for the first round of the playoffs. With that being said, the final week of the regular season stands in the way. From games that can determine a 10-0 perfect season to an intense cross-county rivalry, these games might not be regional, but they are still just as important.