A recent poll conducted by the Montgomery Advertiser, sponsored by The Vance Law Firm, has set the early conversation around the 2026 Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football award.
Preseason favorites emerge
Gunner Gibbs, the quarterback for the Pike Road Patriots, captured 99 percent of the votes, underscoring his status as the overwhelming favorite for the honor.
A close second
Braden Gordon of Montgomery Academy trailed with a single percent, a modest share that reflects the competitive landscape of high school football across Alabama.
Playoff pedigree adds context
The Patriots finished the regular season at 10‑3 and advanced to the third round of the playoffs, where they fell to Saraland. Gibbs was noted for displaying grit in that defeat, a trait that many analysts say could influence his performance next year.
The poll’s results, while purely preseason, provide a snapshot of expectations heading into the next campaign, with local fans already tracking the progress of these standout players.