How Did AHSAA Reclassification Impact Tuscaloosa Area Schools?
The Alabama High School Athletic Association's Central Board unanimously approved reclassifications for fall sports for 2022 and 2023 on Tuesday. The changes impacted several Tuscaloosa area schools.
The AHSAA reclassifies based off an average daily enrollment numbers for the first 20 school days after Labor Day. The classifications get evaluated and changed every two years.
The Tuscaloosa County High Wildcats remain in Class 7A Region 3 with three-time state champion Thompson and powers Hoover and Hewitt Trussville. The region welcomes Chelsea from 6A.
In our area most of the attention will be on Class 6A Region 4 as the area welcomes in a familiar foe. The Hillcrest Patriots, Northridge Jaguars, Paul Bryant Stampede and Brookwood Panthers will welcome the Central Falcons into the region from Class 5A. The group maintains defending champion Hueytown along with McAdory and Bessemer City.
Class 4A Region 3 becomes the next region of interest to Tuscaloosa football fans. The defending champion American Christian Academy Patriots welcome the Hale County Wildcats up from Class 3A as well as the Sipsey Valley Bears down from Class 5A. The Holt Ironmen and West Blocton Tigers also remain in the region along with Bibb County, Dallas County and Montevallo.
In Class 4A Region 5 the Northside Rams are left lonely in the Tuscaloosa area. The defending region champs will take on Dora, Hamilton, Haleyville, Cordova, Corner, Oak Grove and Curry in 2022 and 2023.
The Gordo Greenwave are on the move down to Class 3A Region 5. They will take on Winfield, Oakman, Fayette County, Carbon Hill, Tarrant and fellow newcomer Midfield.
The Greensboro Raiders remain in Class 3A Region 3 with challenging opponents Southside Selma, St. James, Trinity, Alabama Christian, Prattville Christian and Sumter Central.
AHSAA newcomer Tuscaloosa Academy will leave the AISA after a 7-5, state runner up season and will do so in Class 2A Region 5. The Knights will join the Aliceville Yellowjackets, Lamar County, Sulligent, Winston County, Greene County and Cold Springs.
The Pickens County Tornadoes will remain in Class 1A Region 5 after making a second straight deep run into the playoffs. The rest of the the league will welcome the Holy Spirit Saints into the region after not fielding a football team since 2018. The rest of the region is Hubbertville, Marion County, Sumiton Christian, South Lamar, Berry Fayette, Brilliant and Lynn.
The new reclassifications make for a handful of intriguing regions in the Tuscaloosa area. Tide100.9 FM and the Tuscaloosa Thread look forward to continuing to provide high school football coverage in the West Alabama area.
Hillcrest vs. Saraland - AHSAA Round 3 Playoffs
T-County Wildcats Fall at Home
Tuscaloosa Academy Scorches Clarke Prep
Hillcrest Patriots @ Tuscaloosa County Wildcats - Aug. 27, 2021
Northside Rams Defeat the Berry Wildcats in Week 1 2021
Northside Defeats Gordo - Week 4 2021
Tuscaloosa County Wildcats vs. Paul W. Bryant Stampede
Northridge Stuns Gordo