Todd Lester
Briarwood defensive back Brandt Aho (7) intercepts a pass during a game between Russellville and Briarwood Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Lions Pride Stadium in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
August 10 marks 10 days until the official start of the high school football season, with the AHSAA allowing the first competitions to be played Thursday, Aug. 20.
As kickoff approaches over the next several weeks, 280 Living and Under the Lights will count down the days until the opening kick.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association released its preseason high school football poll last week. Briarwood sits at No. 3 in Private Class 1A with 146 points, coming off a 7-6 season in Class 5A. The Jags are in a new classification after the AHSAA decided to split the public and private schools this year. Spain Park is tied for No. 6 in Class 6A with 71 points after a 9-3 finish. After the reclassification, 6A is once again the state's largest public school classification.
The full Private Class 1A poll:
PRIVATE CLASS 1A
Team (first-place); 2025 W-L; Pts
1. McGill-Toolen (12); 6-5; 187
2. St. Michael (6); 13-1; 179
3. Briarwood (1); 7-6; 146
4. Madison Aca. (1); 9-3; 139
5. Catholic-Montgomery; 8-5; 87
Others receiving votes: St. Paul's (6-4) 77, John Carroll (3-7) 13, UMS-Wright (6-5) 12.
The full Class 6A poll:
CLASS 6A
Team (first-place); 2025 W-L; Pts
1. Thompson (20); 11-3; 240
2. Central-Phenix City; 11-2; 167
3. Auburn; 10-3; 132
4. Vestavia Hills; 8-3; 127
5. Opelika; 10-4; 119
6. Hoover; 6-5; 71
6. Spain Park; 9-3; 71
8. Prattville; 6-4; 68
9. Gadsden City; 8-4; 34
10. Carver-Montgomery; 5-5; 28
Others receiving votes: Hewitt-Trussville (8-3) 24, Baker (9-3) 19, Dothan (6-4) 11, Enterprise (6-4) 9, Daphne (9-3) 7, James Clemens (5-6) 7, Mary Montgomery (10-2) 5, Foley (4-6) 1.
