Ranking all 27 high school football teams in the Gadsden area after the 2023 season
Here are the all-class power rankings following the 2023 high school football season for teams in the Gadsden area. Unlike previous rankings that touched only on the top 10 teams, this final ranking will include all 27 teams in the Gadsden Times coverage zone.
1. Cherokee County
Season record: 13-2, state final loss
Why: The Warriors made it back to the state title game with Jacob Cornejo leading the way, but once again fell to a team from the Montgomery area.
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2. Gadsden City
Season record: 9-4, third-round loss
Why: The Titans used their star power to make a run to the third round, before falling in Birmingham. The future is still bright in Gadsden.
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3. Fyffe
Season record: 14-1, state champs
Why: Fyffe brought home back-to-back title and its seventh in 10 years, so the expectations were once again met. It's the first time that the Red Devils won a state title without going undefeated.
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4. Coosa Christian
Season record: 9-6 (12-2 on field), state final loss
Why: The Conquerors did a lot of winning on the field and battles through AHSAA forfeits before falling in the state title game. It was a historic season for Coosa Christian.
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5. Guntersville
Season result: 12-2, semifinal loss
Why: Even without its top back, Guntersville went on a deep run that almost saw it get to the state title game.
6. Geraldine
Season result: 12-2, semifinal loss
Why: The dynamic duo of Carlos Mann and Jaxon Colvin took the Bulldogs to the semifinals.
7. Sylvania
Season result: 10-3, third-round loss
Why: The Rams had a 2,500-yard rusher and a dominant defensive line before falling in the third round.
8. Southside
Season result: 8-3, first-round loss
Why: The Panthers won their region but were upset in the playoffs.
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9. Pisgah
Season result: 12-2, semifinal loss
Why: The Eagles put together a great season but were unable to get by Fyffe once again.
10. Fort Payne
Season result: 7-5, second-round loss
Why: The Wildcats once again finished second in the region and put together a bit of a playoff run.
11. Jacksonville
Season result: 10-3, third-round loss
Why: Jacksonville sent Jim Ogle and its seniors out with a deep run before falling to the eventual 4A state champs.
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12. Spring Garden
Season result: 8-3, first-round loss
Why: The first season of the Barrett Ragsdale era kept up with the tradition that has been built for the Panthers.
13. Boaz
Season result: 6-6, second-round loss
Why: Boaz looked like it would've missed the playoffs for most of the season but ended up getting over the first-round hump.
14. Susan Moore
Season result: 6-5, first-round loss
Why: Susan Moore had an up-and-down campaign that ended in the playoffs.
15. Sardis
Season result: 6-4, missed playoffs
Why: The Lions made great improvements in the first season under BJ Brooks, but barely missed the playoffs.
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16. Piedmont
Season result: 5-7, second-round loss
Why: The first season without Steve Smith didn't go to plan for the Bulldogs.
17. Collinsville
Season result: 8-3, first-round loss
Why: Collinsville's youth made strides throughout the season, showing what this program can accomplish in the future.
18. Hokes Bluff
Season result: 5-6, first-round loss
Why: The Eagles found success with some of their youth and made the playoffs.
19. West End
Season result: 5-6, first-round loss
Why: The Patriots made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008.
20. Westbrook Christian
Season result: 5-5, missed playoffs
Why: Westbrook Christian made great strides in the first season of the Steve Smith era.
21. Etowah
Season result: 3-7, first-round loss
Why: Yes, Etowah made the playoffs; but the rest of the season was not a bright spot.
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22. Plainview
Season result: 3-7, missed playoffs
Why: Plainview is trying to rebuild under Dale Pruitt but needs to take the next step soon.
23. Glencoe
Season result: 3-7, missed playoffs
Why: Glencoe struggled this year, but Aaron Mann was a bright spot for the Yellow Jackets.
24. Gaston
Season result: 2-8, missed playoffs
Why: Getting the two wins is a big step for the program trying to rebuild under Alan Beckett.
25. Sand Rock
Season result: 2-8, missed playoffs
Why: Sand Rock is trying to rebuild in a tough 2A region, but this year might've been a step back.
26. Albertville
Season result: 0-10, missed playoffs
Why: Albertville has a tough job trying to compete at the 7A level, but Bert Browne help turn it around a bit, even if the record doesn't show it.
27. Ashville
Season result: 0-10, missed playoffs
Why: The first season of the Kirakias Shepard era didn't go to plan, but the Bulldogs showed fight through out the season.
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: All 27 Gadsden area high school football teams ranked after 2023 season
