The high school football season in Alabama kicks off this week and
MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Class 7A state champion
Central (Phenix City) owns the No. 1
spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
The Red Devils begin the season ranked No. 22 nationally and look to repeat as state champions in the highest classification. Central claimed its first state crown since 2018 last season by knocking off four-time defending state champion
Thompson (Alabaster) 21-19 in the title game.
Seniors
Andrew Alford (6-1, 185, QB),
Daylyn Upshaw (5-11, 175, WR, Miami commitment),
Mal Waldrep (6-5, 320, OL, Alabama) and
Tristan Williams (5-10, 185, RB) along with junior
Tristan Lyles (6-1, 220, DE) lead the charge for Central.
The best player in the state, however, may be
St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile) linebacker
Anthony Jones (6-3, 240), who recorded over 100 tackles and 10 sacks to earn first team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honors last season.
The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the
Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results with adjustments such
as returners and statistical data when available.
Alabama Preseason MaxPreps Top 25
