Series
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 10 Clay-Chalkville
Clay-Chalkville opens No. 10 with an experienced defense and offensive line, but must replace the production that drove its 2025 offense.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 7 min read
AL Public School Football
Alabama
Clay-Chalkville will not have an opportunity to ease into the season. The Cougars open with consecutive road games against the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100. August 21 — at Creekside (Georgia) August 28 — at Thompson September 4 — at Springville September 11 — at Southside-Gadsden September 18 — vs. Oxford October 2 — vs. Pell City October 9 — vs. Pinson Valley October 16 — at St. Clair County October 23 — vs. Douglas October 30 — vs. Central-Phenix City The opener at No. 1 Creekside is one of, if not the biggest public-school games of the entire 2026 season. Both programs finished 15-0 and won state championships in 2025, creating an immediate national measuring stick for two teams with championship expectations. One week later, Clay-Chalkville travels to face No. 3 Thompson. The Cougars defeated Thompson 27-24 last season, and the rematch gives them another opportunity to establish themselves as Alabama’s best public-school team. Over the last several years Chalkville has been Thompson's kryptonite beating them the past three years in a row. The schedule becomes more manageable once region play begins, but the October 30 finale against Central-Phenix City adds another major test before the playoffs. Central competes in Alabama’s largest classification and should challenge Clay-Chalkville’s rebuilt offense.
Nasir Ray — TE, Senior Ray is Clay-Chalkville’s most productive returning pass catcher after recording 24 receptions for 390 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. At 6-foot-1 and approximately 210 pounds, Ray can contribute as both a receiver and blocker. His experience should make him an important security blanket for whoever wins the quarterback job. The Cougars do not necessarily need Ray to replace Barber’s production by himself, but his role should expand significantly. Christian Bennett — OL, Junior Bennett earned second-team Class 6A all-state honors as a sophomore and is one of the strongest building blocks on the offense. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman anchors a group that also returns Felder, Smith and Powell. With Clay-Chalkville replacing its quarterback, leading running back and leading receiver, the offensive line will be responsible for providing stability. Colton McIntyre — DL, Senior McIntyre returns after earning first-team Class 6A all-state honors in 2025. The 6-foot, 285-pound defensive lineman gives the Cougars an experienced interior presence capable of disrupting the running game. He should be one of the leaders of a defense expected to carry a larger share of the responsibility early in the season. DJ Williams — EDGE, Senior Williams joins Clay-Chalkville after playing at Helena in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound edge defender is a three-star prospect committed to Iowa State. His length and pass-rushing ability add another dimension to an already talented defensive front. Pairing Williams with McIntyre and Keith Richmond gives Clay-Chalkville multiple ways to create pressure. Isaiah Brown — LB, Senior Brown earned second-team Class 6A all-state recognition as a junior. At 6-foot-1 and approximately 236 pounds, he provides size and experience in the middle of the defense. Brown will be surrounded by additional returning linebackers, including Yadao and Lowe, giving the Cougars continuity at the second level. Keith Richmond — DL, Senior Richmond is another experienced member of Clay-Chalkville’s defensive front. His return becomes even more valuable with the addition of Williams and the continued development of McIntyre. The depth and versatility up front could become the identity of the 2026 team. Josh Ivy — S, Senior Ivy gives Clay-Chalkville an experienced safety in a secondary that will be tested immediately by Creekside and Thompson. His leadership will be important as the Cougars prepare to face several of the most explosive offenses on their schedule. Kaleb Amerson — WR, Junior Amerson is one of the younger receivers expected to compete for an expanded role following Barber’s graduation. Clay-Chalkville does not return a proven 1,000-yard receiving option, making the development of Amerson and the rest of the receiver rotation one of the offense’s most important preseason storylines.
Series
Clay-Chalkville opens No. 10 with an experienced defense and offensive line, but must replace the production that drove its 2025 offense.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 7 min read
Series
Coming off a perfect 15-0 season and a 6A state championship, the Cougars move into 5A with a repeat on their mind. With major tests against Creekside (GA), Thompson, and Central-Phenix City, Clay-Chalkville will get every chance to prove it belongs in the national title conversation.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
Series
Public Schools Top 25 | National Series — Part 54: National Top 40 Section 3/3 - Top 10 These are the ten programs that built the strongest public-school résumés in the country from 2021 through 2025 — not just by winning, but by where they won, how often they got back, and how much weight those championships carried.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read