Four Alabama powers ranked in HSFA National Top 100

Four Alabama high school football powers earned a spot in the High School Football America Pre-Season National Top 100.  With the gridiron season just around the corner, check out which in-state squads made HSFA’s list of the nations best going into 2018.


#6 Hoover Bucs

2017 Record – 11-3 (7A State Champions)

After claiming their 13th state football title in 2017, the Hoover Bucs notched a spot in the HSFA Pre-Season top 10 heading into the season.  In addition to their grueling slate of 7A region 3 opponents (including nationally ranked Hewitt-Trussville and Thompson), Josh Niblett’s squad will face off against reigning 6A state champion Pinson Valley to begin the season.  If that weren’t challenging enough the Bucs will also welcome fellow nationally ranked programs #9 St. Johns College (Washington, DC) and #5 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) to the Hoover Met this fall.  


#28 Hewitt-Trussville Huskies

2017 Record – 11-1 (7A Region 3 Champions, AHSAA Second Round)

The Hewitt-Trussville Huskies roll into 2018 riding back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, including a pair of 7A region 3 titles.  This year, however, the Huskies will move back to their former home in the region 4 meat grinder.  Waiting for Josh Floyd’s Huskies in region play will be reigning state champion Hoover and 2017 region title holder Thompson.   Before Hewitt jumps into region play they will face off against a pair of tough Atlanta area programs Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, GA) and West Forsyth (Cumming, GA) in the first two weeks of the season.   The Huskies season opener against the Cedar Grove Saints will be nationally televised by ESPN.  


#39 Central – Phenix City Red Devils

2017 Record – 11-1 (7A Region 2 Champions, AHSAA Semi-Finals)

After rolling through the regular season unscathed and steamrolling their first two playoff opponents in 2017, Jamey Dubose’s Red Devils season came to an unexpected end in the 7A semi-finals, falling to eventual state runner-up McGill-Toolen 27-26 in OT.   This year, the Devils will look to build on their record setting 2017 season as the odds on favorite to bring home their fifth consecutive region title.   Standing between Central and another unbeaten campaign will be tough regular season clashes with the Opelika Bulldogs (9/21) and Auburn Tigers (10/26).  The Devils open 2018 August 31st against Meridian, Mississippi at Garrett-Harrison Stadium.  


#54 Thompson Warriors

2017 Record – 12-1 (7A Region 3 Champions, AHSAA Semi-Finals)

Mark Freeman’s third season in Alabaster may go down as arguably one of the most memorable in the 85 year history of the Thompson football program.  The 2017 Warriors defeated powerhouse Hoover for the first time in 21 tries, brought home their first region title in a decade, came within one game of reaching their second state championship game in program history and set a team record for scoring (496 points).  Thompson’s road back to a region title won’t be easy, the Warriors close out the season with rivals Spain Park, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and Hewitt-Trussville in consecutive weeks.   After road trips to Foley and Hoover to kick-off the season, the Warriors will christen their new stadium September 14th, hosting region foe Oak Mountain


Check out the entire High School Football America Pre-Season Top 100