Week 1 shook up the High School On SI Top 25 in Alabama, but the top line stayed the same. Thompson opened the season with a statement, rolling past Central-Phenix City 41-14 to keep a firm grip on No.
- The Warriors now turn right around for a massive test, hosting No.
2 Clay-Chalkville in an early showdown between the state’s top two teams.
Clay-Chalkville arrives with its own momentum after opening the year with an impressive win over Creekside. Cornelius Eldridge Jr. powered that performance with three touchdown runs, and the Cougars now get an immediate chance to make a No. 1 case of their own against Thompson.
The first week also brought movement just behind the top two. Saraland, Vestavia Hills and Hewitt-Trussville all climbed after strong opening wins to fill out the top five. Central-Phenix City and Auburn stayed in the Top 10 even after losses, a sign that the poll is giving weight to both resume and expectation this early in the season.
Saraland’s offense was particularly sharp in a convincing victory over Mary G. Montgomery, with the Spartans scoring four rushing touchdowns.
Vestavia Hills backed its rise with a solid defensive showing in an 18-point win. Hewitt-Trussville, meanwhile, lit up the scoreboard in a shootout against Auburn, piling up more than 500 total yards.
Auburn’s defense showed enough promise to suggest it could become one of the state’s best this season, even as the offense sputtered at times. The Tigers now face another demanding assignment, beginning the season against No. 6 Hoover after taking an open date to start the year.
There were also some of the week’s biggest jumps lower in the rankings. Vigor, Williamson and Mountain Brook each moved up eight spots. Dothan, Oxford and Gulf Shores entered the Top 25 as new arrivals.
Several teams made their cases with explosive offensive nights. Dothan’s passing game got off to a strong start with 276 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Oxford’s Darrian Beauford ran for 132 yards and two scores in a win. Mountain Brook put together a dominant all-around effort, while Prattville controlled every phase in its victory over the Eagles.
Elsewhere, the Patriots overwhelmed Tuscaloosa County from the opening whistle in a 64-0 rout. The Wolves joined the rankings after a road win at Bay and will play two more games before a difficult midseason stretch begins against Carver. The Yellow Jackets also made noise with a ground-heavy attack, rushing for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Gadsden City.
A few teams came up short but still showed enough to hold position or stay in the conversation. Central-Phenix City’s offense showed some life in the first half of its loss to Thompson, and the Red Devils will try to build on those positives.
The Thundering Herd still managed 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns in defeat. The Vikings struggled for consistency against Saraland, though Kamron Smith still topped 60 rushing yards.
There was also one unfinished game on the opening weekend slate. The matchup between the Jaguars and another opponent was suspended in the first quarter because of a blown transformer, and the schools plan to resume later this fall.
A few more teams will get right back to work this week. The Trojans dropped a tight defensive battle to Hoover and now face Florence with a chance to rebound.
Carver is coming off a rout and heads to Daphne before a huge Week 3 meeting with Auburn. The Jaguars’ passing attack also gave them a solid start, and quarterback Major Hudspeth added 313 passing yards and one touchdown in a win.
In Other News...
Alabama Already Has A Preseason Injury Problem Fans Will Be Watching
Alabamas preseason work has already been interrupted by a handful of injury situations, and Jeremiah Beamans practice injury is the latest name to watch as camp moves along. The defensive lineman went down during practice, and the full details are still pending, adding another layer of concern to a depth chart that is already being tested before the season even gets going.
There is at least some encouraging movement elsewhere, with receiver Lotzeir Brooks nearing full participation and running back EJ Crowell still working back while trying to get ready for the opener. But Alabama is also dealing with camp injuries to AK Dear and cornerback Jorden Edmonds, both of whom are expected to miss the start of the season, so the early weeks of camp now have a very different feel than the staff likely hoped for. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Could Be Eyeing An Unusual Roster Reunion
Kalen DeBoer has at least left the door cracked on an unusual roster move, acknowledging Alabama could explore bringing back a player from the high school class of 2022 even though that players college eligibility has already expired. For a program that is constantly balancing present needs with long-term roster planning, the possibility adds a strange layer to an offseason that already has more than enough uncertainty.
The name most closely tied to the idea is guard Kam Dewberry, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons but is not projected to make their 53-man roster. His situation sits in the middle of a messy eligibility landscape, shaped by recent NCAA rule changes and ongoing legal challenges tied to extensions for the class of 2022, leaving the door open just enough for Alabama to keep monitoring it. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama WR Rico Scott Is Pushing For A Bigger Fall Role
Rico Scotts summer was slowed by health issues, but Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said the receiver has eased back into practice and is trending in the right direction. The bigger development for the Crimson Tide is what Scott has shown since then: more physical play, better work at the catch point and a steadier presence in the mix as Alabama sorts out its receiving rotation for the fall.
For a player who finished last season with 11 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns, the path to a larger role is starting to come into focus. Scott does not need a headline-grabbing leap to matter, only enough consistency to stay on the field and give Alabama another dependable option as the offense settles in. [Read more 🡒]