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

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.