Alabama High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – August 26

High school football season in Alabama is underway, with dozens of games taking place across the state over the weekend. And after those showdowns, there’s been a significant shakeup in the top-25 rankings, including a new No. 1 overall team.

After a dominant 61-14 season-opening victory over Pinson Valley, Phenix City Central has ascended to the top spot in Yellowhammer State. Below are the rest of the top 25 programs in Alabama heading into Week 2.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory. According to the model — four teams from Alabama rank inside the nationwide top 100.

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1. Phenix City Central

Previous: No. 2 (+1)
Despite losing Auburn WR Cam Coleman, Alabama DB Red Morgan and Alabama DL Isaia Faga from last season’s title team, The Red Devils haven’t lost a beat. Two Power 4 commits lead Central’s senior class in Miami four-star wide receiver commit Daylyn Upshaw and Alabama IOL pledge Mal Waldrep. And they were dominant from start to finish as they dropped the hammer on Pinson. Up next is a showdown with St. Louis (Mo.) Lutheran North at home this weekend.

2. Alabaster Thompson

Previous: No. 1 (-1)
The 7A state runners up started their season with a massive tilt against Loganville (Ga.) Grayson, but fell just short in a 15-14 defeat. The Warriors, led by Auburn top-50 EDGE commit Jared Smith and fellow Tigers top-100 commit Anquon Fegans, will look to get back on track when they travel to face Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy on Thursday night.

3. Auburn

Previous: No. 7 (+4)
The Tigers lost in the state playoffs to Phenix City Central to finish a 9-3 overall season, but they have title aspirations this year. They opened the season at home against North Miami Beach (Fla.), dominating the visitors 49-0. They’ll welcome Birmingham Vestavia Hills to town this weekend, followed by games against Opelika, Enterprise, Dothan and Central later in the season.

4. Hoover

Previous: No. 8 (+4)
The 2023 season ended with a disappointing 40-7 postseason loss to Hewitt-Trussville for Hoover, but 2024 is off to a roaring start after the Buccaneers knocked off Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Western 17-14 in Week 1. Next up is a top-15 tilt with Birmingham Spain Park on Friday night.

5. Hewitt-Trussville

Previous: No. 5
Hewitt-Trussville bulldozed Jefferson Davis 50-6 en route to their first victory of the season. A tougher test awaits in Week 2 with a showdown against top-25 Gadsden City looming.

6. Pinson Clay-Chalkville

Previous: No. 6
The reigning 6A state champions began the defense of their title with a commanding 28-7 victory over Heuytown in Week 1. Despite graduating a loaded senior class that included Alabama cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, Oregon OT Jac’Qawn McRoy, Mississippi State WR Mario Craver, Auburn LB D’Angelo Barber and Arkansas CB Tevis Metcalf, the Cougars look primed for another deep run in the playoffs. They’ll take on Birmingham Ramsey in Week 2.

7. Saraland

Previous: No. 3 (-4)
The Spartans’ senior class is absolutely loaded with the likes of Texas four-star quarterback commit K.J. Lacey, Auburn four-star DL pledge Antonio Coleman and Ole Miss four-star WR commit Dillon Alfred. They survived a close battle with Jackson (Ala.) in Week 1, escaping with a 35-27 victory. Up next is a showdown with Eight Mile (Ala.) Blount.

8. Enterprise

Previous: No. 9 (+1)
The Wildcats ended their 2023 season with a 9-3 mark, and like others, have eyes on a title this year. This senior class is loaded with Power 4 talent — top-75 defensive back Eric Winters is committed to Auburn, four-star EDGE Zion Grady is pledged to Ohio State and cornerback Andrew Purcell is committed to Kentucky. They made easy work Andalusia over the weekend with a 35-7 win and will get Pike Road next.

9. Tuscaloosa Hillcrest

Previous: No. 10 (+1)
Hillcrest won 12 straight before it fell to Saraland in the 6A quarterfinal game last season. The Patriots dispatched Florence 32-30 and will now continue a slate that includes facing Hoover, Birmingham Vestavia Hills, Hewitt-Trussville and Alabaster Thompson. First up though, is a road trip to Sparkman next week.

10. Dothan

Previous: No. 12 (+2)
Coming off an 8-3 season in 2023, the Wolves entered 2024 with high expectations and talented squad to match them. Week 1 got them off to a great start with a resounding 27-7 win over Lawton (Fla.) Chiles. Up next they’ll face a Monroe (Ga.) squad that comes into the meeting 0-2 early in the season.

Teams 11-25 in latest Alabama High School Football rankings

11. Birmingham Mountain Brook
12. Opelika (+2)
13. Mobile Baker (+10)
14. Spanish Fort (+6)
15. Birmingham Spain Park

16. Montgomery Carver (previous unranked)
17. Montgomery Catholic (+1)
18. Birmingham Parker (NR)
19. Birmingham Vestavia Hills (-15)
20. Oxford (+4)

21. Gadsden City (NR)
22. Prattville (NR)
23. Daphne (NR)
24. Austin (NR)
25. Central of Clay County (NR)

Dropped out: Birmingham Ramsay; Semmes Mary G. Montgomery; Muscle Shoals; Theodore; Hueytown; Gulf Shores; Pike Road