High school football is a major part of the culture and identity of the state of Alabama. The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) oversees high school football in the state and organizes the annual state championship games for each classification. The state championship games are played at neutral sites and stadiums across Alabama and are highly anticipated events each year. Fans from across the state travel to watch the best teams compete for the title of state champions. The championships showcase the talent, hard work, and passion for football that exists throughout Alabama high schools.
Overview of AHSAA Classifications and Playoff Format
The AHSAA organizes high school football teams into 7 classifications based on student enrollment numbers:
Classification | Enrollment Range |
---|---|
1A | 1-300 students |
2A | 301-500 students |
3A | 501-699 students |
4A | 700-899 students |
5A | 900-1099 students |
6A | 1100-1414 students |
7A | 1415+ students |
At the end of the regular season, teams with winning records qualify for the state playoffs in their classification. The playoffs feature an elimination bracket format with seeding based on regular season records. Teams play in either the North or South region playoffs until the northern and southern regional champions meet in the state championship games.
History and Locations of State Championship Games
The first AHSAA football state championships were played in 1924 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham. Other early locations for state championship games included Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and Cramton Bowl (Montgomery).
In 1948, the AHSAA began holding all championships at Legion Field in Birmingham. Legion Field served as the home of the Super 6 Championships from 1948-2007. For 6 decades, the best high school teams in Alabama battled on the storied turf of Legion Field to earn state titles.
In 2008, the AHSAA moved to a new championship format and rotation of sites for the championships:
Year | Site |
---|---|
2008-2013 | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa |
2014-2019 | Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn |
2020-2025 | Protective Stadium, Birmingham |
Bryant-Denny Stadium and Jordan-Hare Stadium have each hosted 6 years of championships. The games moved back to Birmingham and the newly built Protective Stadium in 2020.
Bryant-Denny Stadium
Bryant-Denny Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa hosted the AHSAA football championships from 2008 to 2013. The stadium has a capacity of over 101,000, making it one of the largest stadiums to host Alabama high school football title games.
During the 6 years of games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, many legendary teams and players got their first taste of playing in a massive stadium. The University of Alabama crimson red and white colors and rich football history also provided an iconic backdrop for the championships.
Jordan-Hare Stadium
Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium took over as host from 2014-2019. With a capacity of over 87,000, Jordan-Hare provided another huge stage for the state title games. Auburn’s navy blue and burnt orange colors decorated the stadium as the Super 7 championships came to ‘The Plains’.
Jordan-Hare Stadium quickly developed its own championship legacy, with many dramatic, down-to-the-wire finishes taking place during the 6 year stint. The stadium’s reputation as one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in college football transferred to the hype surrounding the high school championships.
Protective Stadium
Protective Stadium returned the AHSAA Super 7 championships to Birmingham beginning in 2020. The 45,000 seat stadium was newly constructed downtown as part of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
The stadium’s design and amenities provide an updated yet classic championship atmosphere, paying homage to the rich history of Alabama high school football. Protective Stadium is slated as the host for the next 6 years through 2025.
Memorable Championship Games
Many epic championship games have taken place over the years at Legion Field, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Jordan-Hare Stadium and Protective Stadium. Here are some of the most memorable:
1972: Jefferson County Schools Boycott Championships
In 1972, large-scale racial integration of high school sports was still unfolding across Alabama. That year, 4 Birmingham area schools – Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and John Carroll Catholic – qualified for the state playoffs. They were scheduled to face opponents from newly integrated Birmingham public schools for the city championship.
In protest, the Jefferson County Board of Education boycotted the games by banning their teams from playing. As a result, the city championship games were forfeited. Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills and John Carroll Catholic advanced to the state championship games without playing the semifinal round.
The incident highlighted the racial tensions surrounding integration at the time. But the following year, full integration of Birmingham high school athletics was achieved.
2008: Hoover Defeats Prattville in Double Overtime Thriller
The 2008 6A championship game was one for the ages. Hoover High School entered seeking its 6th straight title against Prattville High School seeking its 3rd straight championship.
In a back-and-forth game, Prattville scored with just 1:26 remaining to take a 34-31 lead. But Hoover marched down the field and kicked a game-tying 47 yard field goal with 5 seconds left to force overtime.
After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Hoover stopped Prattville on a 4th and goal then scored the game-winning touchdown for a thrilling 44-41 double overtime victory. It was an instant classic that kicked off the string of title games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in memorable fashion.
2012: Clay-Chalkville Scores 70 Points in a Rout
The 2012 6A championship game ended up being one of the biggest blowouts in the history of the event. Clay-Chalkville High School dominated Opelika High School by a score of 70-14 to capture its first state championship.
Clay-Chalkville’s offense was nearly unstoppable, raining 14 touchdowns on the overwhelmed Opelika defense. Running back Brian Blackburn scored 6 touchdowns in the game, a new AHSAA Super 7 record.
The 70 points scored and 56 point margin of victory are both AHSAA championship game records that may never be broken. It was a performance for the ages by Clay-Chalkville.
2019: Piedmont Claims 3A Title on Final Play
Few championship games have ended in more dramatic fashion than Piedmont High School’s stunning 3A title win in 2019. Trailing Mobile Christian 21-17, Piedmont had one final shot from Mobile Christian’s 15 yard line with 4 seconds left.
Somehow, quarterback Jack Hayes found Austin Estes on a miraculous hook-and-ladder touchdown pass as time expired. The crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium erupted as Piedmont claimed the 22-21 victory and celebrated the exhilarating state championship.
Conclusion
The annual football state championships organized by the AHSAA are must-see events that capture the passion, tradition, and competitiveness of Alabama high school football. After many years at Legion Field, the games have moved to iconic stadiums in Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Birmingham.
Each year adds a new chapter of unbelievable performances and thrilling moments. While the sites continue to change, the desire to hoist that coveted blue map trophy remains the ultimate goal for Alabama high school players and coaches. The rich history and excitement of championship football in Alabama will keep fans returning year after year.