AHSAA 2024 season look-ahead and preview

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Ahead of the Alabama high school football season, the three USA Today Network Alabama high school sports writers gathered to discuss some of the top storylines going into the 2024 season.

The USA Today Network Alabama high school team includes the Gadsden Times' Maxwell Donaldson, Montgomery Advertiser's Jerry Humphrey III and Tuscaloosa News' Anna Snyder, who broke down the key storylines for this fall. From reclassification to transfers and NIL, a fun season is just around the corner with the season officially starting on Aug. 22.

What classification move will impact the Alabama high school football season the most? Anna: I think each classification will be affected in different ways by the changes through the offseason. Class 7A, though, with the addition of teams and the new Class 7A playoff bracket, will further increase competition.

Jerry: Carver moving up to the Class 7A. The Wolverines merged with Sidney Lanier, moving them up to the largest state classification. This will be a team to watch in the River Region. The new Class 7A playoff bracket will make for a more competitive postseason.

Maxwell: I think Fyffe's move to Class 3A completely changes both 3A and 2A for the next two years. Starting in 2A, it feels much more wide open, especially in the north with Coosa Christian, Pisgah and Tuscaloosa Academy. The Red Devils are also now favorites to win in 3A, and could shut out teams who made deep runs last year in the classification. Other state champs in Montgomery Catholic and Gulf Shores are options here, but Fyffe's hold on its classification is why I went with them here.

ASWA PRESEASON RANKINGS: Alabama high school football rankings: ASWA 2024 preseason poll for all classes

What storyline will dominate the 2024 AHSAA season? Anna: Perhaps the growing changes in high school sports, such as transferring and NIL. It still is unsure exactly how these will affect high school football in Alabama, but it will be interesting to see if the AHSAA makes any changes regarding the two.

Jerry: After the news of Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn turning down NIL money to stay in state, I believe the pressure will be on the AHSAA all season about the possible addition of it. With some of the best athletes in the country in this state, I won’t be surprised if other top prospects are offered NIL to leave Alabama.

Maxwell: While NIL could dominate the narrative, there's not much it can do in the middle of the season to make an impact unless players or schools are sanctioned. The bigger storyline during the year is the play of transfers and the impact they can make on their new schools. The storyline has dominated the offseason, and now it will come to a head this season. The other side of the transfer storyline is if any school gets in trouble and ends up forfeiting wins.

What game or games are you most excited to go out and see? Anna: There’s a lot. One that immediately comes to mind is Hillcrest vs. Tuscaloosa County. The two haven’t faced off in a few years, and now being in the same region they will every year (or until the AHSAA adjusts regions again). They are the only two schools in Tuscaloosa County competing in Class 7A and have a long history with each other, so it most definitely will be an exciting matchup.

Jerry: Montgomery Catholic will match up against Saraland on Sep. 27 after the original game against Mobile Christian was canceled. The Knights have one of the best defenses in the state. However, facing a loaded Saraland team will be a big test for the reigning state champions.

Maxwell: Not to go back to Fyffe, but its matchup with Geraldine adds plenty of stakes for a rivalry that already has had plenty of stakes. Other options in north Alabama come in Gadsden City games with Fort Payne and Southside, especially with corner Zyan Gibson going up against top wideouts. Elsewhere in the state, of games I won't be able to attend but will definitely be following: Saraland and Montgomery Catholic and Thompson facing Lipscomb Academy of Tennessee. Also give me any rivalry games; they are always fun to go to and usually create great games.

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What players are you excited to see? Anna: Hillcrest’s quarterback Bryson Kimbrough, who committed to Louisiana-Monroe this summer and is coming off a junior season, his first starting, where he threw for more than 2,000 yards. Kimbrough will be leading Hillcrest in its move from Class 6A to Class 7A. I am also excited to watch Tuscaloosa Academy’s Preston Lancaster and Bibb County’s Antonious Steele. Lancaster led the state in passing yards last season, while Steele, a two-way player for the Choctaws, committed to Troy over the offseason.

Jerry: In the Montgomery area, there is a plethora of talent all across the city. Anthony Rogers, a four-star Alabama commit, makes his return to River Region after spending a season at IMG Academy. Now prepping to make his debut with Carver, I will get to see him in action for the very first time.

Maxwell: In my corner of the state, there are plenty of top players to keep an eye on that I am excited to see, including Jamin Brown of Southside, Logan Anderson of Fyffe and Zyan Gibson at Gadsden City. All bring something different to the game from power, finesse or speed. Elsewhere, any chance to see top quarterbacks Trent Seaborn or KJ Lacy will be one I can't pass up.

Is there an underrated team that could go on a deep playoff run to shock the state? Anna: I don’t want to say Hillcrest is underrated based off the success it saw at the Class 6A level, but it is definitely moving into arguably the toughest region in the state. Don’t count out the Patriots, though: They return Kimbrough and other key starters, and coach Jamie Mitchell has proven he can lead them to success.

Jerry: Pike Road was just one victory away from a Class 6A title appearance. With a lot of talent returning this season, coach Granger Shook is confident that his team can get to Birmingham for a shot at the blue map.

Maxwell: I think one option is Boaz, which has almost all of its key offensive pieces returning and only earned one vote in the ASWA preseason poll. While a state title might be a bold prediction, this is a team that can get it done in many ways by air and ground or can even battle in a defensive game. Boaz made the second round of the playoffs last season and is looking to build off that. Another option could be Westbrook Christian: what can it do after missing the playoffs in Steve Smith's first season?

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AHSAA 2024 season look-ahead and preview

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