By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

Three area playoff teams from last year begin the 2025 high school football season ranked in the first Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, which was released early Wednesday morning.

Three-time defending Class 4A state runner-up Cherokee County (13-2 last season) begins the new season ranked second behind last year’s state champion Jackson (14-1). The Warriors open the 2025 season at Piedmont (13-1) on Aug. 22.

Speaking of Piedmont, the Bulldogs are also ranked second in Class 3A behind defending champion Mars Hill Bible (14-1). Piedmont received three first-place votes in the 3A rankings.

In Class 1A, Spring Garden (11-1) comes in at No. 6. The Panthers open the 2025 season at Class 2A Sand Rock (5-6) in the debut of Tanner Nelson as Wildcat head coach.

Another area team received consideration for the initial poll of the season: Class 3A Collinsville (7-4). The Panthers open the new season on Aug. 28 at home against Class 2A Cedar Bluff (3-7).

Seven defending state champions open the new season ranked No. 1.

You can see the first ASWA rankings of the season below, beginning with Class 7A.

CLASS 7A
2024 champion: Thompson
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Thompson (16); 11-3; 210
2. Central-Phenix City (1); 10-3; 146
3. Hoover; 10-3; 143
4. Auburn (1); 10-1; 133
5. Hewitt-Trussville; 8-3; 109
6. Mary Montgomery; 9-2; 92
7. Vestavia Hills; 6-6; 49
8. Opelika; 9-3; 48
9. Enterprise; 8-5; 32
10. Dothan; 5-5; 28
Others receiving votes: James Clemens (6-5) 27, Carver-Montgomery (6-3) 5, Austin (9-2) 2, Oak Mountain (4-6) 2.

CLASS 6A
2024 champion: Parker
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Parker (9); 14-1; 184
2. Clay-Chalkville (6); 9-3; 158
3. Saraland (2); 13-1; 148
4. Spain Park; 12-1; 115
5. Pike Road (1); 10-4; 108
6. Oxford; 13-1; 59
7. Mountain Brook; 8-4; 56
8. Muscle Shoals; 9-3; 40
9. Hartselle; 9-3; 28
10. Spanish Fort; 9-3; 27
Others receiving votes: Benjamin Russell (5-6) 24, Gadsden City (6-4) 19, Homewood (9-3) 16, Russell Co. (9-3) 10, St. Paul’s (9-3) 10, Fort Payne (10-3) 7, Hueytown (9-4) 7, Chelsea (6-5) 5, Athens (8-3) 4, Helena (6-4) 1.

CLASS 5A
2024 champion: Catholic-Montgomery
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Moody (9); 11-3; 188
2. Vigor (2); 12-2; 161
3. Catholic-Montgomery (7); 14-0; 157
4. Central-Clay Co.; 12-1; 124
5. Williamson; 10-2; 105
6. Fairview; 10-1; 53
7. Ramsay; 8-4; 52
8. Guntersville; 9-2; 42
9. Leeds; 11-3; 41
10. Scottsboro; 9-3; 39
Others receiving votes: Corner (11-2) 35, Briarwood (5-5) 13, Andalusia (7-5) 6, Boaz (9-3) 6, Demopolis (7-4) 2, Northside (8-3) 1, Shelby Co. (8-3) 1.

CLASS 4A
2024 champion: Jackson
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L-T; Pts.
1. Jackson (18); 14-1; 216
2. Cherokee Co.; 13-2; 154
3. St. Michael; 12-2; 150
4. West Morgan; 13-1; 126
5. Anniston; 7-6; 80
6. Madison Aca.; 7-5; 66
7. Tallassee; 9-3-1; 54
8. Pleasant Grove; 9-2; 43
9. Good Hope; 10-2; 35
10. North Jackson; 8-3; 27
Others receiving votes: Dale Co. (8-3) 20, Opp (7-4) 18, Alexandria (8-4) 13, Fairfield (9-4) 9, Ashford (6-6) 7, Hokes Bluff (8-3) 3, Deshler (6-4) 2, Handley (7-4) 2, Oak Grove (8-3) 1.

CLASS 3A
2024 champion: Mars Hill Bible
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Mars Hill Bible (14); 14-1; 201
2. Piedmont (3); 13-1; 155
3. Fyffe; 9-3; 129
4. Geraldine (1); 9-3; 116
5. Gordo; 10-2; 91
6. T.R. Miller; 12-1; 89
7. Houston Aca.; 13-2; 66
8. Southside-Selma; 11-3; 52
9. Winfield; 11-2; 39
10. Bayside Aca.; 9-4; 34
Others receiving votes: Collinsville (7-4) 14, Randolph Co. (7-4) 12, Glenwood (9-1) 10, Montgomery Aca. (10-2) 8, Flomaton (6-4) 7, Thomasville (11-1) 2, Hillcrest-Evergreen (8-3) 1.

CLASS 2A
2024 champion: Reeltown
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Reeltown (11); 14-1; 190
2. Pisgah (2); 11-2; 148
3. Coosa Chr. (5); 4-6; 141
4. Cottonwood; 12-1; 130
5. Tuscaloosa Aca.; 12-3; 107
6. Clarke Co.; 8-4; 65
7. Vincent; 9-3; 59
8. Winston Co.; 12-1; 50
9. Sulligent; 9-5; 33
10. Pleasant Valley; 8-3; 31
Others receiving votes: Goshen (8-3) 28, Ariton (7-6) 20, Highland Home (13-1) 11, Luverne (6-6) 11, Susan Moore (6-6) 2.

CLASS 1A
2024 champion: Wadley
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Wadley (18); 13-0; 216
2. Leroy; 10-2; 144
3. Sweet Water; 9-3; 114
4. Maplesville; 12-3; 113
5. McKenzie; 10-2; 102
6. Spring Garden; 11-1; 69
7. Hackleburg; 12-2; 65
8. Berry; 11-2; 64
9. Elba; 11-3; 53
10. Millry; 8-5; 28
Others receiving votes: Lynn (11-2) 25, Winterboro (8-3) 8, Brantley (6-4) 7, Valley Head (6-5) 5, Georgiana (8-5) 4, Meek (8-4) 4, Pickens Co. (4-7) 4, Addison (6-5) 1.

AISA
2024 champions: Chambers Aca. (AAA), South Choctaw Aca. (AA)
Team (first-place); 2024 W-L; Pts.
1. Chambers Aca. (15); 11-1; 207
2. South Choctaw Aca. (3); 13-0; 160
3. Lowndes Aca.; 11-1; 147
4. Patrician; 9-3; 113
5. Wilcox Aca.; 6-5; 89
Others receiving votes: Bessemer Aca. (6-6) 21, Monroe Aca. (9-3) 19.