The AHSAA’s Super 7 Alabama high school football state championship games, will take place at Protective Stadium in Birmingham this week.
The USA Today Network-Alabama’s team of high school sports reporters — Jacob Shames, Ehsan Kassim and Jerell Rushin — go through every game and offer their predictions.
Girls flag football: Hewitt-Trussville (10-0) vs. Smiths Station (10-2)
When: 3 p.m. Wednesday
Shames — Hewitt-Trussville 42, Smiths Station 20: The Huskies outscored Tuscaloosa County and Oxford by a combined 67-7. They’ll cap off an undefeated season in commanding fashion.
Kassim – Hewitt-Trussville 35, Smiths Station 28: This is more of a pick-in-the-dark situation with not much information on the inaugural girls flag football season available.
Rushin — Hewitt-Trussville 39, Smiths Station 21: Flag football is often about scoring, and Hewitt-Trussville enters this game scoring a combined 67 points in its last two outings compared to 28 from Smiths Station.
Class 1A: Sweet Water (13-0) vs. Wadley (13-1)
When: 3 p.m. Thursday
Shames — Sweet Water 21, Wadley 14: The Bulldogs took down No. 1 Brantley in last week’s semifinals behind a powerful running game that racked up 200 yards on 48 carries and should do the same here.
Kassim — Wadley 24, Sweet Water 14: In the battle of the Bulldogs, it will be Wadley that squeaks through and claims its first ever state championship.
Rushin — Sweet Water 35, Wadley 28: Both teams eked out wins over state contenders last week, and another close game should be in store. Wadley struggled to contain Pickens County in the semifinals, not an ideal warm-up before state.
Class 2A: Clarke County (12-2) vs. Cleveland (12-2)
When: 3 p.m. Friday
Shames — Cleveland 27, Clarke County 25: While these two teams have the same record, Cleveland’s opponents had a winning percentage of nearly .600,while Clarke County’s opponents were a combined 81-80.
Kassim – Cleveland 31, Clarke County 27: Something will have to give in the battle of two teams that have never won a state championship. As Shames points out, the Panthers had the more challenging schedule and that proves to be the difference.
Rushin — Cleveland 35, Clarke County 28: Clarke County’s lone losses of the season came to 3A programs, but Cleveland lost to a 3A state qualifier, Oneonta. Cleveland has labored less during playoffs victories and knocked off No. 4 Mars Hill in the semifinals.
Class 3A: Montgomery Academy (11-3) vs. Piedmont (12-2)
When: 11 a.m. Thursday
Shames — Montgomery Academy 24, Piedmont 21: The Eagles’ grinding triple-option style will limit possessions and play to its advantage, while JaShawn Cooper is a punishing running back who can wear a team down late.
Kassim — Piedmont 28, Montgomery Academy 24: The triple-option could keep the Bulldogs off the field, but Jack Hayes and the Piedmont offense don’t need much time to strike for a quick score.
Rushin — Piedmont 34, Montgomery Academy 22: Piedmont put up big points on its last opponents, both ranked in the top five. Montgomery Academy possibly had the biggest win in all classifications to advance here, but it’s offense doesn’t bring the same punch as Piedmont’s.
Class 4A: Vigor (13-1) vs. Oneonta (13-1)
When: 11 a.m. Friday
Shames — Vigor 28, Oneonta 13: Vigor has two shutouts already during the postseason and its only loss came to St. Paul’s, the defending Class 5A state champion. The Wolves’ defense had seven sacks last week against Jackson.
Kassim – Vigor 38, Oneonta 17: The Wolves have outscored opponents 142-31 through the first four rounds and the defense will carry the day again.
Rushin — Vigor 34, Oneonta 20: Vigor knocked off red-hot Sawyer Deerman and No. 2 American Christian Academy in the third round, but Oneonta beat No. 1 Madison Academy to get here. Vigor’s defense has strengthened in the playoffs, while Oneonta’s is allowing some of its highest point totals.
Class 5A: Pike Road (13-0) vs. Pleasant Grove (12-1)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Shames — Pike Road 35, Pleasant Grove 14: While the Patriots’ dominant defense, led by Khurtiss Perry, has shut out two straight opponents, their backfield threesome of Iverson Hooks, Quinshon Judkins and Anthony Rogers is equally as dangerous.
Kassim – Pike Road 24, Pleasant Grove 17: The Patriots already have racked up three shutouts in their quest for their first state championship. Pike Road’s defense is able to limit the Spartans en route to the win.
Rushin — Pike Road 42, Pleasant Grove 20: Coach Patrick Browning quickly took Pike Road into a state contender and has SEC recruits Khurtiss Perry and Quinshon Judkins leading the charge. Pleasant Grove has lost two straight state championships and faces an uphill battle against complete Pike Road team.
Class 6A: Clay-Chalkville (14-0) vs. Hueytown (13-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Shames — Hueytown 47, Clay-Chalkville 41: It’s never easy to beat a team two times in one season, and Clay-Chalkville won’t be able to do so here. Dynamic quarterback Earl Woods leads the Golden Gophers to their first state title in school history.
Kassim – Clay-Chalkville 52, Hueytown 45: These two played a shootout earlier this season, with Cougars winning 57-40 in Week 1. Expect another high-scoring affair with Clay-Chalksville completing its perfect season.
Rushin — Clay-Chalkville 44, Hueytown 42: Clay-Chalkville has played in one single-score game all season, and it came in the semifinals. It’s also one of the few teams that can score with a hard-to-defend Hueytown team. This should be one the best state games, and Clay-Chalkville likely finishes undefeated.
Class 7A: Central-Phenix City (13-0) vs. Thompson (12-1)
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Shames — Thompson 31, Central-Phenix City 10: The Warriors’ defensive line, anchored by five-star recruits Jeremiah Alexander and Peter Woods, will prove to be too much for Central-Phenix City.
Kassim – Thompson 35, Central Phenix City 14: The Red Devils have had a great unbeaten season, but the Warriors have looked like the best team for much of the year. Thompson clinches its three-peat.
Rushin — Thompson 35, Central-Phenix City 17: Thompson is an even stronger program now than when it defeated Central at state in 2019. Thompson’s three five-star recruits and defense looked amazing against Hoover in the semifinals, but if the offense needs to carry the torch it’s capable against high-scoring Central.
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Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
