AHSAA Playoffs Super 7s: Who will win Blue Map Trophy in each classification
With the playoffs starting this week around Alabama, the debate of who will make the Super 7s in Tuscaloosa in December will rage on.
The USA Today Sports Network high school reporters in Alabama: Maxwell Donaldson, Anna Snyder and Jerry Humphrey III got together and made their picks on who will be taking home the Blue Map Trophy in each classification come December. The Super 7s will be at Bryant Denny Stadium from Dec. 6 to 8.
Class 1A
Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times: Pickens County
Anna Snyder, Tuscaloosa News: Elba
Jerry Humphrey III, Montgomery Advertiser: Elba
Why: Class 1A is always a class that seems prime for the taking but staying power is hard to come by. Pickens County has been getting closer the past few seasons, could this finally be their year? Elba is in the same boat, looking to break through this year.
Class 2A
Maxwell: Fyffe
Anna: Fyffe
Jerry: Fyffe
Why: Fyffe is still Fyffe despite struggling in their first game of the season to Geraldine. With a healthy Logan Anderson, the Red Devils look to win their seventh title in 11 years.
Class 3A
Maxwell: Geraldine
Anna: Gordo
Jerry: St. James
Why: This was the one class where there was truly a divide, showing how open for the taking the class is this year. Geraldine has been dominate all year, beating Fyffe in Game 2. Gordo's only loss came in Week 2 to Bibb County and they've been rolling ever since. With a speedy offense led by KJ Jackson, defending champs St. James can be a dark-horse favorite in the race.
Class 4A
Maxwell: Cherokee County
Anna: Catholic Montgomery
Jerry: Catholic Montgomery
Why: Andalusia is the defending champs but none of the writers liked their attempt to repeat. Catholic Montgomery has been dominate all season, shutting out seven opponents. Cherokee County has possibly the top running back in the state and a defense that can hang with the Knights.
Class 5A
Maxwell: Gulf Shores
Anna: Gulf Shores
Jerry: Gulf Shores
Why: If Gulf Shores comes out of the potential AHSAA investigation clean then they should be the favorite in 5A to take home the Blue Map.
Class 6A
Maxwell: Saraland
Anna: Clay-Chalkville
Jerry: Clay-Chalkville
Why: Saraland is the defending champions and haven't shown anything to the contrary this season while blowing out each opponent but Clay Chalkville has been doing the same this season and Jaylen Mbawke has been a star at QB.
Class 7A
Maxwell: Thompson
Anna: Thompson
Jerry: Thompson
Why: Thompson is the four time defending champion of Class 7A and even a loss to 6A Clay Chalkville this season shouldn't change the fact they are the favorite until someone proves otherwise but they'll be some tough competition from the south.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: AHSAA football state champions predictions ahead of playoffs
