Preseason high school football practice begins
MADISON – Coaches and players representing Alabama High School Association football teams in the newly created football private school division Double-A Private undoubtedly began thinking about goals for the 2026 season lately.
They all got a curveball before they could take the field for today’s official start of preseason practice. The AHSAA, which this season for the first time since its inception in 1921 has split public and private schools into separate athletic divisions, has suddenly changed the playoff format for 16-team Double-A Private.
Originally, eight or perhaps 12 of those teams were designated for postseason berths from both regions. However, as reported by al.com, the state has now switched to allow all teams in both regions to make the playoffs, increasing the number of rounds from three to four.
“Somewhere between (July) 9th and the 14th somebody had complained because you know if you do the 12 (or eight) you’re gonna lose some playoff games,’’ said Madison Academy coach Bob Godsey, whose Mustangs will play in Double-A Private Region 2.
“With four (rounds with 12 participants) you’re going to have some byes and lose some playoff games. Apparently, some people complained about it and that was how they got it up back to 16. They wanted that extra round.’’
The teams in Double-A Private Region 2 include American Christian Academy (Tuscaloosa), Briarwood Christian (Birmingham), John Carroll Catholic (Birmingham), Lee-Scott Academy (Auburn), Madison Academy, Randolph, St. John Paul Catholic II and Westminster.
The first four schools – except Lee-Scott-on the above list are new to Madison Academy’s schedule. This season, the Mustangs will travel to ACA, Briarwood and John Carroll for region games.
No longer in play for private schools are the student enrollment and competitive balance multipliers, which forced Madison Academy to previously play in Class 4A in football despite an enrollment more in line with 2A and 3A programs..
The Private divisions do not include classifications. For instance Double-A Private Region 1 member McGill-Toolen, which won a 7A state championship in 2015, comes from AHSAA 6A as does St. Paul’s.
Smaller private schools will compete in Single-A Private.
Meanwhile, the Public schools in AHSAA will this season compete in six classifications as opposed to seven. Bob Jones, James Clemens and Sparkman join xxxxx in 6A, Region xx along with Buckhorn, Gadsden City, Grissom, Gadsden City and Huntsville.
Local teams at a glance as preseason practice begins:
- Bob Jones returns four starters on both offense and defense in the first season under head coach Seth Parker, a Patriots alumnus with assistant and head coach experience. He was head coach at Priceville for two seasons before coming back to Bob Jones, where he previously served as an assistant.
Bob Jones, expected to be a playoff contender, opens the season with an interesting matchup at Hartselle on Friday, Aug. 21 during Week Zero.
- James Clemens is in the second season under coach Juan Johnson coming off a third straight playoff appearance that includes postseason trips in 7-of-8 and 10-of-12 years in its 14 years as a program.
The Jets open their second season under head coach Juan Johnson against region foe Austin in Decatur during Week Zero.
- Madison Academy returns seven starters on offense and five on defense, giving the Mustangs the experience needed to chase a top seed in Double-A Private Region 2. Already assured of its 18th straight playoff appearance and 23rd in 24 seasons, Madison Academy will battle for playoff seeding during the regular season.
The Mustangs open the season Aug. 21 during Week Zero at two-time defending 4A state champion Mars Hill.
- Sparkman returns five starters on offense, six on defense and both the placekicker and punter. With a nice blend of experience back, the Senators should no doubt have plans on returning to the playoffs entering fall camp.
Sparkman opens the season with a challenging opponent in Spain Park in Week Zero Aug. 21.
