The 2026 Alabama high school football season kicks off on August 20, ushering in a schedule that will run through December and culminate in state championship games held in Mobile and Montgomery.
Week 1 Rankings Overview
Weekly rankings released by the USA TODAY Network place Clay‑Chalkville at the summit with 74 points after a 20‑20 tie against Creekside (Ga.) last week, while Thompson follows with 73 points after a 41‑14 victory over Central‑Phenix City.
Saraland, Vestavia Hills, Hewitt‑Trussville, Hoover and Opelika round out the top seven, each carrying distinct point totals and recent results that shape early expectations.
The early slate features several marquee matchups, including a clash between Clay‑Chalkville and Thompson that could reshuffle the leaderboard, while Vestavia Hills prepares to face Benjamin Russell and Hewitt‑Trussville takes on Hillcrest‑Tuscaloosa.
Key Games to Watch
The upcoming week will see Thompson host Clay‑Chalkville in a battle for the top spot, while Hoover travels to Opelika and Vestavia Hills meets Benjamin Russell, setting the stage for potential shifts in the rankings.
State championship games are slated for December 2‑5 in Mobile, with the AISA semifinals and finals scheduled for November 12 and 19 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
Compiling these rankings are Maxwell Donaldson, Jaeden Day and Amelia Hurley, writers for the USA TODAY Network who track performance trends and project future outcomes throughout the season.