Tuscaloosa-area high school football rankings ahead of Alabama Super 7 state championships
The Alabama high school football playoffs have been exciting and more through the first four rounds.
Just one Tuscaloosa-area team, Pickens County, advanced to the Super 7. Here's where the Tornadoes and other teams stack up ahead of the state championships.
1. Hillcrest (11-1) — Hillcrest's first loss ended its season in the second round of the AHSAA playoffs, a 56-31 defeat to Saraland. It was the first dominant passing attack Hillcrest faced, and that was too much to handle without injured all-state quarterback Ethan Crawford. Last week: Ranked No. 1. This week: Season complete.
2. Gordo (11-2) — The Green Wave were outscored by 21 points in the second half by Piedmont and couldn't capitalize on a plus-three turnover differential, falling 28-14 in the third round in 3A. Gordo's CJ Lark had two rushing touchdowns, but Jack Hayes scored all four of Piedmont's touchdowns in the second half. Last week: Ranked No. 2. This week: Season complete.
3. Pickens County (11-3) — The Tornadoes overcame a 16-point deficit and scored a walk-off touchdown pass from Demarkis Giles to Kemaurion Plott to defeat 44-40 Coosa Christian in a 1A semifinal. Pickens County has made the championship for the fifth time in 10 seasons. Last week: No. 4. This week: vs. Leroy, 3 p.m. Thursday.
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4. Aliceville (11-2) — Aliceville's season ended in a 26-22 third-round loss to Pisgah after two turnovers, including a last-minute interception from all-state quarterback Ty'Jarian Williams. Aliceville's 10-game win streak ended despite outgaining Pisgah in yards. Last week: Ranked No. 3. This week: Season complete.
5. Northridge (7-4) — The Jaguars scored first against Pelham but then allowed 44 straight points and lost 44-14 in the first round. Northridge falls in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight season but made improvements under first-year coach Ryan Lolley. Last week: Ranked No. 6. This week: Season complete.
6. Tuscaloosa County (6-4) — The Wildcats made progress in 2022 despite missing the playoffs because they completed their first winning season in nine years with a 20-14 victory over Brookwood. Sawyer Deerman had two rushing touchdowns, one touchdown reception and an interception. Last week: Ranked No. 7. This week: Season complete.
7. Demopolis (10-2) — Demopolis lost for the first time since August in a 36-15 second-round loss at Faith Academy despite Javien Banks' 50-yard touchdown run. Last week: Ranked No. 8. This week: Season complete.
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8. American Christian (9-3) — The Patriots managed just one touchdown in their 31-7 second-round loss to Andalusia, a Carson Sute toss to Bubba Lester. It was American Christian's first loss to a 4A team. Last week: Ranked No. 9. This week: Season complete.
9. Tuscaloosa Academy (10-3) — The Knights' first season in the AHSAA ended with a 35-7 third-round loss to Fyffe after nine straight wins. Fyffe, with three state championships in the last four seasons, rushed for 375 yards and held Tuscaloosa Academy to minus-7 yards rushing. Last week: Ranked No. 4. This week: Season complete.
10. Linden (9-2) — The Patriots lost in the second round of the 1A playoffs 41-20 at home against Brantley, the first 1A team to knock off Linden. Last week: Ranked No. 10. This week: Season complete.
Jerell Rushin is a recruiting reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jrushin@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: AHSAA Football: Tuscaloosa-area rankings before playoffs Alabama Super 7
