Tuscaloosa Area High School Football Preview 2021

TUSCALOOSA, AL — It's August and high school football season is just around the corner, so let's get you all caught up on the storylines we're following and the players we're watching ahead of the first kickoff.

Before we get started, though, The Alabama Sports Writers Association officially released it 2021 high school football rankings on Sunday as schools across the state gear up for the upcoming season and school year.

Here's a quick rundown of the rankings for west Alabama schools

• Coming off a 9-3 season in 2020, Hillcrest High School is ranked No. 6 in AHSAA Class 6A going into the new season. Following the departure of coach Sam Adams, the Patriots will now be led by former Shades Valley football coach Jamie Mitchell.
• The Gordo Green Wave, coming off a 4A state championship appearance, will enter the 2021 season as the top-ranked team in its class. The Green Wave will be led by quarterback Tanner Bailey, an Oregon-commit who is the No. 11-ranked player in the state for the class of 2022 by Rivals.com. Bailey will also look to Ben Capps and Kohl Summerville for help on offense.
• American Christian Academy, another 4A gridiron powerhouse, also received a top 10 ranking in Class 4A, coming in at No. 4.
• The Pickens County Tornadoes received one first place vote before being ranked No. 3 overall in AHSAA Class 2A.
• Tuscaloosa Academy, despite slogging through a 2-7 season in 2020, has seen a renewed sense of excitement around its football program with the hiring of new head coach Josh Wright, who was previously at Bessemer Academy. .

Tuscaloosa-area football capsules

American Christian Academy Patriots

Coach: Chris Smelley

2020 record: (13-1, 7-0 4A Region 3)

3 players to watch: Sawyer Deerman (QB, Jr., 5-10, 165); Christian Davis (ATH, Sr., 6', 185); Cooper Shafer (T, Sr., 6-5, 230).

Brookwood Panthers

Coach: Mike Bramblett

2020 record: (1-9, 0-6 6A Region 4)

3 players to watch: Jonny Klinner (ATH, Sr., 5-8, 170); Major Culp (DB, Sr., 5-6, 140); Kobie Humphries (QB, Jr., 6', 175).

Opening week: West Blocton, Aug. 20

Central High Falcons

Coach: Rodney Bivens, Jr.

2020 record: (3-7, 2-4 5A Region 3)

3 players to watch: Peyton Batchelor (QB, Sr., 6-4, 190); Stevenson Hodges (DB, Sr., 6-1, 180); Quavion Stepp (RB/LB, Sr., 5-9, 200).

Opening week: @ Holt, Aug. 20

Hillcrest Patriots

Coach: Jamie Mitchell

2020 record: (9-2, 5-1 6A Region 4)

3 players to watch: Ethan Crawford (QB, Jr., 6', 185); J'Quon Sturdivant (ATH, Sr. 5-7, 150); Caleb Hollingsworth (DE, So., 6', 191).

Opening week: Homewood, Aug. 20

Holt Ironmen

Coach: Dustin Hyche

2020 record: (2-9, 2-5 4A Region 3)

3 players to watch: Jordan Driver (FS, Sr., 5-9, 160); Tyler Flowers (RB, Sr., 5-10, 190); Ryan Ivory (MLB, Sr. 6-1, 238)

Opening week: Central, Aug. 20

Northridge Jaguars

Coach: Mike Vickery

2020 record: (7-4, 4-2 6A Region 4)

3 players to watch: LiEric Street (RB, Sr., 5-9, 225); Wilkin Formby (OL, Jr. 6-8, 300); James Owens (DE, Jr. 6-3, 260)

Opening week: @ Sipsey Valley, Aug. 20

Northside Rams

Coach: Chris Hilliker

2020 record: (10-3, 5-1 4A Region 5)

3 players to watch: Keiton Camp (DE, Sr. 5-11, 170); Braden Green (QB, Jr., 5-10, 175); Jace McNutt (RB, Sr., 6-1, 205)

Opening week: Berry, Aug. 19

Paul W. Bryant Stampede

Coach: Eldrick Hill

2020 record: (4-6, 2-4 6A Region 4)

3 players to watch: Jordan Evans (RB, Sr., 5-10, 190); Kenneth Archibald (OLB, Sr., 5-11, 185); Matthew Porter (DE, Sr., 6-1, 239)

Opening week: Tuscaloosa County, Aug. 20

Sipsey Valley Bears

Coach: Scott Marchant

2020 record: (0-11, 0-6 5A Region 3)

3 players to watch: Dalton Bailey (WR, Sr., 6-1, 185); LJ Cormier (QB, Fr., 5-9, 135); Jon Welch (RB, So., 6-1, 190)

Opening week: Northridge, Aug. 20

Tuscaloosa County Wildcats

Coach: Adam Winegarden

2020 record: (3-7, 1-6 7A Region 3)

3 players to watch: Brax Garrison (QB, Jr., 6-4, 215), KD Small (OL, Sr. 6-5, 285); Jestin Gilmore (LB, Sr., 6-3, 201).

Opening week: @ Bryant, Aug. 20

Tuscaloosa Academy Knights

Coach: Josh Wright

2020 record: 2-7

3 players to watch: Sherebiah Jones (LB, Jr. 5-9, 190); Jack Standeffer (WR, Sr., 5-11, 160); Carson Claytor (RB, Sr., 6', 170).

Opening week: Fort Dale Academy, Sept. 3

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