Rankings Reveal State Powerhouses
The USA TODAY Network Alabama writers have released their initial Top 25 poll for the 2026 season, a weekly barometer that blends recent performance, championship pedigree and schedule strength.
Clay Chalkville opens the season as the clear No. 1 team, riding a perfect 15‑0 record from the 2025 Class 7A championship. Their dominance has translated into 74 points, the highest total in the poll.
Right behind them, Thompson holds the second spot with 73 points after finishing 11‑3 last year and is slated to face Central‑Phenix City in the opening Week 0 contest.
Saraland, the 2025 Class 6A champions with a 13‑1 record, sit at fourth with 65 points, while Vestavia Hills shares eighth place after capturing the Class 4A title with an 8‑3 season.
Hewitt‑Trussville appears at fifteenth with 31 points following an 8‑3 finish and will open the season against Auburn in another Week 0 matchup.
The AHSAA Kickoff Classic on August 20 will headline the week, featuring Thompson versus Central‑Phenix City and setting the tone for the months ahead.
Compiling these rankings are writers Maxwell Donaldson, Jaeden Day and Amelia Hurley, who evaluate each program’s trajectory and historical context to produce the authoritative list.
Other programs receiving votes include Alexandria, Moody, Northside, Montgomery Academy and Jackson, underscoring the depth of competition across the state.
Week 0 Sets the Tone
Early games promise fierce rivalries and a chance for newcomers to test their mettle against established powers, making the first week of the season a pivotal chapter in Alabama high school football.