Penalties and Leadership Changes
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has imposed a financial penalty on Mary G Montgomery High School and placed its football program on probation after discovering rule violations. The sanction also bars the team from postseason competition this fall, a move that impacts the Vikings' schedule and aspirations.
Head coach Zach Golson, who has guided the program since 2022, will miss the entire 2026‑2027 school year. Golson leaves with a 37‑10 record, multiple region titles and a 2023 state semifinal appearance, having led the team to a No. 11 state ranking in 2025 after a 10‑2 season.
In his absence, interim head coach Alex Page, the team's defensive coordinator, has already taken the helm in a spring scrimmage against Ocean Springs (MS). Page will oversee the program while the school seeks a permanent replacement.
The AHSAA has not disclosed the exact nature of the violations, but the school self‑reported the infractions to the association. The community now awaits further details as the program navigates this transitional period.
While the penalties pose a setback, the school's athletic director expressed confidence that the program will rebound, citing the strong foundation built under Golson and the experience of interim leadership.