50-State Project: Who Has Actually Owned the Last Five Years?

In Alabama, high school football isn't just a hobby; it’s a meat grinder. Over the last five seasons, these five public programs have separated themselves from the pack. We aren't talking about "legacy" reputations—we’re talking about who actually showed up at the Super 7 and left with hardware. No better way to start off this series than talking about one of the most dominant teams in the country over the past 5 years. **1. Thompson Warriors (Class 7A) | The Standard** The Resume: 4 Titles (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), 1 Runner-Up (2023) The Vibe: Complete and utter 7A dominance. Thompson didn’t just win; they dictated how the game was played. After a rare stumble in 2023 against Central, the Warriors returned with a vengeance. Their 2025 Title win (48–10 over Opelika) was a masterclass, featuring QB Trent Seaborn, who passed the 10,000-yard career milestone during the game. With 6 titles in the last 7 years, Mark Freeman has built a machine that simply doesn't break. **2. Clay-Chalkville Cougars (Class 6A) | The 6A Dynasty** The Resume: 3 Titles (2021, 2023, 2025), 1 Undefeated Season (2025) The Vibe: Professional-grade consistency. If Thompson owns 7A, the Cougars own 6A. Their 2025 season was a perfect 15–0 run, capped off by a 38–21 win over Saraland in the finals. Dual-threat QB Aaron Frye put the state on notice in that final, accounting for over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns. Clay-Chalkville has moved past being a "tough out" to being a perennial powerhouse that looks more like a college program than a high school team. **3. Central-Phenix City Red Devils (Class 7A) | ** The Resume: 1 Title (2023), 2 Runner-Ups (2021, 2024) The Vibe: The only team Thompson truly fears. Central is the only program that consistently goes toe-to-toe with Thompson and wins. Their 2023 championship wasn't just a trophy; it was a statement. In 2025, they were involved in the game of the year—a 35–34 semifinal heartbreaker loss to Thompson. Despite not making the 2025 final, their three Super 7 appearances in this window cement them as the undisputed kings of East Alabama. **4. Saraland Spartans (Class 6A) | The Super 7 Mainstay** The Resume: 1 Title (2022), 3 Runner-Ups (2023, 2024, 2025) The Vibe: Permanent residents of the Finals. Don't let the "Runner-Up" tags fool you. Making four consecutive state championship appearances (2022–2025) is a feat of endurance. Led by elite talent like Texas commit KJ Lacey, Saraland has become the gold standard for South Alabama football. They have been in the hunt every single December for nearly half a decade, proving their 2022 title was the start of an era, not a one-off. **5. Hoover Buccaneers (Class 7A) | The Blue Blood** The Resume: 3 Semifinal Appearances, 0 Titles in this window The Vibe: A powerhouse looking for its second wind. It feels strange to see a Hoover list without a ring, but the numbers don't lie. Between 2021 and 2025, the Bucs remained a top-tier program, but they’ve struggled to hurdle the Thompson/Central roadblock. Their 2025 season ended in a 34–10 first-round exit to Central-Phenix City. While the brand is still elite, the "New Guard" of Alabama football has officially moved the finish line further back. Thanks for reading! This is the 1st of 50 articles I will be putting out for this series. This series will feature the top 5 teams from every state over the past 5 years.

50-State Project Alabama’s Top 5 Public Football Programs (2021–2025)

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