The 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association football season is set to begin across the Tuscaloosa region, bringing with it a fresh slate of storylines and a reshuffling of traditional power structures.
Key Teams to Watch
Hillcrest, after a 6‑4 record against 7A opponents last year, will drop to a lower classification and enter the season with a seasoned lineup anchored by Jordan Shambley and Jeremiah Beverly.
Central, which reached the Class 6A playoffs in 2025, will also move down a rung, returning standout players Tra’Von Hall and Anthony Dixon to lead a revamped attack.
Northside’s senior quarterback Jackson Rhodes returns to guide the team as it moves into Class 4A, adding continuity to a program that finished 11‑1 the previous season.
Hubbertville, fresh off a 12‑1 campaign that saw them advance to the Class 1A quarterfinals, enters the new year as a legitimate state‑title contender, riding the momentum of a core group that has already proven its mettle.
Gordo, after a surprise run to the Class 3A quarterfinals despite losing several seniors, will benefit from a reclassification to 2A, giving them a clearer path toward deeper playoff runs.
Fayette County and Bibb County are both adjusting to new classification brackets, each bringing back sizable senior classes and key contributors to their respective squads.
Quarterback Changes
Northridge will introduce sophomore quarterback Max Bruinton to the varsity stage, a move that could reshape their competitive outlook in the new classification.
Winfield, under the steady leadership of Coach David McKinney in his 14th season, looks to build on a second‑round playoff finish from the previous year.
Tuscaloosa Academy, despite a roster limited to just 30 players, reached the Class 2A quarterfinals last season and will continue to navigate the challenges of a private‑school region.