Hubbertville Football 2026 Preview, Players and Schedule | Top 25 Public HSFB
Series
2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Hubbertville (AL)
The Lions return nine offensive starters, all 11 defensive starters and all five all-state selections from a 12-win region championship team.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/18/20264 min read
Hubbertville returns nine offensive starters, all 11 defensive starters and five all-state players from a 12-1 region championship team. The Lions scored a program-record 651 points last season and enter 2026 with one of the strongest returning cores in Alabama Class 1A.
Team Snapshot
Location: Fayette, Alabama
Classification: Class 1A, Region 5
Head Coach: Caleb Hynds
2025 Record: 12-1
2025 Finish: Region 5 champion; Class 1A quarterfinals
Returning Starters: Nine on offense, 11 on defense
Hubbertville averaged 50.1 points per game and allowed 17.8. The Lions went 7-0 in region play, outscored region opponents 339-91 and won two playoff games before a 62-38 quarterfinal loss at Wadley.
2026 Outlook
Senior quarterback Blaize Wakefield returns after completing 140 of 224 passes for 2,295 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 170 yards and five scores. His command of the offense gives Hubbertville a rare level of continuity for a team coming off a 651-point season.
Senior receiver Kane Rushing is the primary matchup problem. He caught 51 passes for 1,188 yards and 24 touchdowns, then intercepted six passes on defense. Senior athlete Cole Brand contributed as both a runner and receiver, averaged 7.6 tackles and made three interceptions. Hubbertville can change a game with all three seniors on offense, defense or special teams.
Your team. Your state. Your T25PS.
Make the national coverage more personal.
Save your home state and favorite team, then choose whether to receive major rankings and coverage updates. The account is free.
The backfield also returns junior Tyler Stricklin, who rushed for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns. Junior defensive lineman Braylon Hill recorded six sacks, and junior Banks Lowery adds a 6-foot-2, 290-pound presence in the offensive line. All five of Wakefield, Rushing, Brand, Stricklin and Hill earned all-state recognition after last season.
The regular season includes three demanding nonregion games against University Charter, Tuscaloosa Academy and West Blocton. Region 5 then requires Hubbertville to handle seven opponents without the margin for a poor week. The roster is experienced enough to repeat, but a team expecting to play in December will judge itself by the postseason, not only another region title.
Players to Know
Blaize Wakefield, QB/DB, Senior
Wakefield threw for 2,295 yards and 36 touchdowns and added five rushing scores. The first-team all-state quarterback also made three interceptions on defense.
Kane Rushing, WR, Senior
Rushing caught 51 passes for 1,188 yards and 24 touchdowns. The first-team all-state receiver also led the defense with six interceptions.
Cole Brand, ATH, Senior
Brand contributed as both a runner and receiver, averaged 7.6 tackles per game and intercepted three passes. His second-team all-state season reflected his value across every phase.
Tyler Stricklin, RB/LB, Junior
Stricklin rushed for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns while also forcing two fumbles. The second-team all-state athlete gives Hubbertville a proven runner behind its veteran passing game.
Braylon Hill, DE/DT, Junior
Hill led the Lions with six sacks and earned second-team all-state honors. His ability to disrupt from the defensive line is central to a unit returning all 11 starters.
Banks Lowery, OL, Junior
Lowery gives Hubbertville a 6-foot-2, 290-pound junior in the offensive front. His size and experience support an offense that can attack through the air or with a 1,300-yard runner.
Hutch Miles, LB/HB
The coaching staff identified Miles as a newcomer to watch at linebacker and H-back. He adds depth to two physical position groups on a roster with championship expectations.
Complete 2026 Schedule
August 21: vs. University Charter
August 28: vs. Tuscaloosa Academy
September 4: vs. Brilliant*
September 11: at South Lamar*
September 18: at Marion County*
September 25: at West Blocton
October 2: at Sulligent*
October 9: vs. Berry*
October 16: at Pickens County*
October 23: vs. Lynn*
*Region game
Biggest Question
Can Hubbertville turn overwhelming continuity into a state championship run?
The Lions have already proven they can dominate a regular season and win a region championship. The remaining test is whether a defense returning every starter can respond when the playoff level rises, especially after Wadley scored 62 points in last season's quarterfinal.
MISTER F00TBALL's National High School Football Composite Rankings, partnered with and powered by Prep Gridiron Logistics, the only rankings to include every national poll and every team receiving a Top 25 vote.
I have Hubbertville finishing the regular season 10-0. The Lions return too much proven production at quarterback, receiver, running back and defensive back to project a regular-season loss. The more important prediction is another deep playoff run, with Hubbertville capable of reaching the Class 1A state championship game.
Want to put your company in front of high school football audiences nationally, in Western Pennsylvania or across Georgia? Email alex@t25ps.com to discuss T25PS sponsorship and advertising opportunities with partnered brands.
