Two Tuscaloosa Area High Schools Earn Top-Ten Honors
Two Tuscaloosa area high schools have been recognized by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as top-ten teams within their divisions. Tuscaloosa County High has been voted the 7th best team within 7A and Hillcrest has been ranked 4th within 6A. Hillcrest even received a singular first place vote.
Both schools have impressed their fans and journalists alike this season. County High found new life this season when American Christian Academy star Sawyer Deerman transferred in to play quarterback. After going 1-9 last year and not winning a single game in their region, the Wildcats are off to a 5-1 start. The turn around of the program upon his arrival could end up being exactly what Deerman needs to earn his dream offer from the University of Alabama.
That 5-1 start comes with victories over schools that are a combined 5-29, but that doesn't negate the improvement this team has made. Their stiffest competition came against 6th ranked Hewitt-Trussville in a 35-7 loss. Deerman was knocked out of the game early in the loss and accounts for the majority of the Wildcat offense, so it's hard to say how bad the loss really was.
Hillcrest's dominance, on the other hand, cannot be questioned. Ethan Crawford and the Patriots have put the beat down on inferior opponents as well as beat quality teams like Armwood (out of Seffner, FL) and Northridge.
At 7-0, Hillcrest seems to be well on its way to an undefeated regular season with games against Bessemer City, Paul W Bryant, and McAdory left on its schedule. Hillcrest made it all the way to the state 6A semi-finals last year before being bounced and its seniors are looking to finish the job this year.