The 2025 Alabama high school football season officially opens on August 20, marking the start of a campaign that will see teams across the state battle for playoff supremacy and ultimately a state title.
Early Practices and New Class Structure
Practices can begin as early as August 3, giving programs a head start before the first games. This year the Alabama High School Athletic Association has introduced a revised classification, dividing schools into six public and two private divisions, a shift that promises fresh matchups and rivalries.
Defending champions across the newly formed classes include Thompson, Clay‑Chalkville, Moody, Jackson, Mars Hill Bible, Coosa Christian, and Maplesville, all of whom will be looking to add another trophy to their résumés.
Playoffs and the State Championships
The playoff bracket kicks off on November 6, with each round proceeding weekly. The culmination of the season arrives in Mobile, where the state championships will be staged at Hancock Whitney Stadium from December 2 through December 5, spanning five consecutive days of competition.
Local communities are already rallying around their teams, with school boards, parents and businesses preparing to support the athletes. Among the players drawing attention is Maxwell Donaldson, a senior from Thompson High School who is expected to play a pivotal role for his team this year.
With the schedule set and the stakes higher than ever, the upcoming months promise intense on‑field battles and memorable moments that will shape the narrative of Alabama high school football for years to come.