Five Alabama gridiron powers land in the latest HSFA National Top 100
Birmingham, AL – Five 7A football powers appeared in the latest edition of the High School Football America National Top 100 rankings. The unbeaten Central-Phenix City Red Devils topped the list of Alabama squads coming in at No. 18. The next four teams, #61 Hoover, #65 Thompson, #96 Mountain Brook and #97 Hewitt-Trussville all hale from the juggernaut that is 7A region 4. Take a look at each team’s road to the postseason.
Central-Phenix City Red Devils
HSFA Top 100 Ranking – 18th
ASWA Ranking – 1st
Record – 10-0, 6-0
Next Up – Davidson at Central High School / Garrett-Harrison Stadium
Jamey Dubose’s Central Red Devils closed out the 2018 regular season as the only unbeaten team in class 7A while claiming their fifth consecutive region title. The potent Red Devil offense outscored opponents 432-74 while the Central defense pitched four shutouts. The Devils closest contest came in their regular season finally, a 24-7 victory over the top 10 ranked Auburn Tigers. Central begins their trek to Jordan-Hare with a playoff opening clash with the 6-4 Davidson Warriors.
Hoover Bucs
HSFA Top 100 Ranking – 61st
ASWA Ranking – 3rd
Record – 7-3, 6-1
Next Up – Bob Jones (6-4, 3-4) at The Hoover Met
The Hoover Bucs’ journey to their 14th state football championship begins this Friday night as the 7A region 3 champs welcome the Bob Jones Patriots (6-4) to the Hoover Met. The Bucs three losses came courtesy of a pair of national powers, St. John’s College (D.C.) and IMG Academy (FL) and the nationally ranked Hewitt-Trussville Huskies. In a season that saw head coach Josh Niblett claim his 200th career victory, the Bucs notched victories over reigning 6A state champion Pinson Valley and nationally ranked Thompson and Mountain Brook.
Thompson Warriors
HSFA Top 100 Ranking – 65th
ASWA Ranking – 2nd
Record – 8-1, 6-1
Next Up – Florence (6-4, 3-4) at Thompson High School / Warrior Stadium
Mark Freeman’s Thompson Warriors opened their new state-of-the-art stadium by going undefeated at home and securing the #2 spot in 7A region 3. The high octane Warrior offense, lead by University of Alabama commit Taulia Tagovailoa, put up 331 points while giving up a touchdown or less in five of their ten contests. The Warriors kickoff the postseason Friday night at Warrior stadium against the Florence Falcons (5-5).
Mountain Brook Spartans
HSFA Top 100 Ranking – 96th
ASWA Ranking – 9th
Record – 8-2, 5-2
Next Up – Austin (7-3, 6-1) at Austin High School / Austin Stadium
The Mountain Brook Spartans began the 2018 season by rattling off seven consecutive victories including double-digit wins over rivals Spain Park and Vestavia Hills and a upset of the nationally ranked Hewitt-Trussville Huskies. The Spartans closed out their third consecutive season with at least eight victories and their first appearance in the HSFA national rankings. Chris Yeager’s squad will face a tough test to open the post season with a road trip to Decatur to take on the Austin Black Bears (7-3).
Hewitt-Trussville Huskies
HSFA Top 100 Ranking – 97th
ASWA Ranking – 6th
Record – 7-3, 5-2
Next Up – James Clemens (7-3, 7-0) at Madison City Schools Stadium
The Hewitt-Trussville Huskies missed claiming their third consecutive region title by dropping one of the most thrilling games in recent memory, a 63-49 loss to the explosive Thompson Warriors. The Huskies star-studded roster notched wins over Atlanta area power West Forsyth (GA) and region rival Hoover in route to a 7-3 regular season finish. Josh Floyd’s potent offense will travel to the Tennessee Valley to face a tough James Clemens Jets (7-3) squad in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs.
