This week in HS Sports: AL.com’s “experts” make 2026 football predictions

This is an opinion piece.Our annual high school picks panel will look a little different when the Week 1 predictions are posted on AL.com next Thursday.We do have a little returning flavor. Defending champ Dennis Victory is back to defend his title. He finished 1 victory ahead of yours truly a year ago. Obviously, I’ll be in the running again this year – hopefully -- as will my friends and fellow AL.com colleagues Thomas Ashworth, Randy Kennedy and John Vella.With Simone Eli now in New York and Gerhard Mathangani stepping away from television, we’ve invited three well-known TV personalities and high school sports experts from across the state to join us, and they’ve happily (or maybe begrudgingly) accepted. Rosie Langello (WSFA-TV, Montgomery), Emily Cochran (FOX10, Mobile) and Carl Prather (WAFF-TV, Huntsville) also will take their chances on our “expert” panel for 2026.Each week, our “Great 8” will fearlessly pick the winners and the final scores in 20 of the state’s biggest games. That starts next week. This week, though, I asked our panel five questions about the upcoming season.Here are their responses.1. Which team – other than Thompson – is most likely to win a state championship this fall?Thomas Ashworth: Maplesville enters the year as the No. 1 team in Class 1A and has a strong chance to repeat as state champions under legendary coach Brent Hubbert, who took over the program this offseason. Emily Cochran: Saraland. The Spartans have been one of the most consistent programs in the state, reaching four straight state championship games. They lost a lot of talent from last year’s team, but there’s still plenty coming back, including Oklahoma commit Jamison Roberts at quarterback. At this point, Saraland has established a standard where anything short of playing for a championship feels like a disappointment.Randy Kennedy: Piedmont.Rosie Langello: Clay-Chalkville.Carl Prather: Fyffe.Ben Thomas: McGill-Toolen. The No. 1-ranked Yellow Jackets will have plenty of competition in the new Double-A private, but David Faulkner’s team has returning stars on offense and defense and only 15 other teams to outlast.John Vella: Clay-Chalkville. The Cougars will once again dominate their region (29-1 in the last five seasons in region play) even without last year’s 6A Back of the Year, Aaron Frye. With a gauntlet of a schedule that includes Creekside, Ga., Thompson and Central-Phenix City, the Cougars will be battled tested come November. Dennis Victory: Clay-Chalkville.Who is the biggest threat to Thompson’s 7A/6A reign?Thomas Ashworth: Central-Phenix City. In Year 1 under new coach Cody Flournoy, Central-Phenix City enters as one of the top teams in the state again. Quarterback Bobby Coleman leads an offense with Miami OL commit Jatori Williams and weapons that include Braylen Averett, Mike Bass, JJ Joiner and more. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long for a matchup between the two postseason powers. The two teams kick off the high school football season on Thursday in Phenix City.Emily Cochran: I’d say Central-Phenix City. In Region 1, give me Daphne. I think the Trojans have a chance to make a deep playoff run and establish themselves as a legitimate championship contender. Thompson is still the team everyone is chasing, but Daphne is one of the teams I’ll be watching closely.Randy Kennedy: Central-Phenix City.Rosie Langello: Central-Phenix City.Carl Prather: Central-Phenix City.Ben Thomas: Auburn. Central-Phenix City is the obvious choice, but I haven’t heard a lot of talk about Keith Etheredge’s Tigers in the pre-season. They have a returning, future SEC QB (Cason Myers) and plenty of talent. John Vella: Central-Phenix City. The Red Devils, who lost a heartbreaker in the semifinals to Thompson last season, return plenty offensive fire power under new coach Cody Flournoy. Thompson and Central meet in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic on Thursday in Phenix City. Don’t be surprised if they meet again later in the season.Dennis Victory: Central-Phenix City.Which team will surprise us this year and why?Buckhorn quarterback Parker Turley passes. 6A Football Playoff Buckhorn vs. Hartselle High School at JP Crane Stadium in Hartselle, Ala. Friday Nov.7 2025. (Bob Gathany | preps@al.com)AL.comThomas Ashworth: Buckhorn could be a team to watch in a new-look Class 6A with some familiar faces returning under coach David Green. Quarterback Parker Turley, running back Djone Rosario and lineman Eugene Tasie return for the Bucks on offense. The defense also returns some pieces, including defensive back DJ Hardaway.Emily Cochran: Robertsdale. I think this is going to be a much different Robertsdale team than people have become accustomed to seeing. There’s legitimate talent throughout the roster, and quarterback Cub Jones gives them an experienced playmaker to build around. Region 1 is never easy, but I think Robertsdale has a chance to turn some heads and be a factor in the playoff race.Randy Kennedy: Benjamin Russell is as talented as any team in the state. Junior Kingston Preyear may prove to be the best quarterback in a state filled with great quarterbacks. Rosie Langello: Prattville. The Lions are in their second season under coach Bobby Carr, have a returning QB and highly recruited players throughout the roster. They were close in several big games in 2025. Carl Prather: I’ll go with two from North Alabama. Watch Plainview and Geraldine. Tons of returning talent and difference makers on both sides of the ball. Expect these two teams to make deep postseason runs in November.Ben Thomas: Columbia. I realize this may be an outside of the box pick, and I’m not saying the Eagles will win a state title or even make the playoffs. I do think Sammie Coates’ squad will end that triple-digit losing streak in 2026, and they may do it early.John Vella: Gulf Shores. After back-to-back subpar seasons for the Dolphins, look for coach Mark Hudspeth to reel in a lot more wins this season and finish as a runner-up to Saraland in 5A, Region 1. West Virginia commit Carter Davis will be a hard man to catch for Gulf Shores’ opponents. Runner up: Citronelle.Dennis Victory: Parker. They’ll go undefeated, losing to Clay-Chalkville in playoffs.Who is your top Mr. Football candidate?Thompson QB Trent Seaborn (12) during action at the National Select 7on7 national tournament at Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala., Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha HuntThomas Ashworth: In a year with a ton of really talented quarterbacks across the state, I like Thompson’s Trent Seaborn to win Mr. Football this season. He was a front runner last season and wound up endorsing eventual winner EJ Crowell.Emily Cochran: Gunner Rivers. He enters his senior season at St. Michael with more than 10,000 career passing yards and within striking distance of the AHSAA career passing record. He’s already proven he can put up huge numbers, and if St. Michael has another championship-caliber season against its new Double-A Private schedule, I think he’ll have a strong case.Randy Kennedy: Trent Seaborn, Thompson QB.Rosie Langello: Trent Seaborn, Thompson QB.Carl Prather: Trent Seaborn, Thompson QB.Ben Thomas: My friends are right. Rivers and Seaborn will start the year at the head of the list. They likely will end up 1-2 (in some order) as the state’s all-time leading passers. How far their teams go in the postseason may have a lot to do with the final decision if one of them becomes Mr. Football.John Vella: Gunner Rivers, St. Michael QB. The North Carolina State commit will toss 46 touchdowns this season, breaking the state record. Dennis Victory: Trent Seaborn, Thompson QB.Will AHSAA public and private schools ever compete in the same championship pathways again?Thomas Ashworth: My answer could change over the next two years, but I’m going to say no — for now. Some coaches and officials expected it at some point, but not this early. The introduction of the CHOOSE Act and pressure from state politicians on the AHSAA certainly fast-tracked some kind of action. While there have already been some concerns brought up with travel and dilution of competition for private schools, it doesn’t seem like there is any chance the two will compete for championships together any time soon.Emily Cochran: Yes. I think fans are going to miss some of the rivalries and matchups that came with having public and private schools competing for the same championships. Iron sharpens iron, and I think separating them ultimately waters down the overall product. I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see the AHSAA revisit the format.Randy Kennedy: Yes.Rosie Langello: Yes, one day. Maybe in 5-7 years it will be like it used to be. Carl Prather: I think we are headed toward championship pathway separation for the foreseeable future.Ben Thomas: Boy, I hope so. This split hurts my heart – as a writer who has argued against it for years and a parent with a son playing football in a private school. I fear it will never return to what we’ve always known it.John Vella: I think yes, but the model will need a lot of adjustment. Dennis Victory: Yes, in next reclass, but only some of the private schools will remain, others joining new association.Thought for the Week“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9This week in HS Sports: How 2 volleyball dynasties deal with pressure to winThis week in HS Sports: Alabama’s coach without a whistle has the right ideaThis week in HS Sports: 10 must-watch football games for opening weekThis week in HS Sports: Big decisions ahead for Heath Harmon, AHSAA Central BoardThis week in HS Sports: 5 key questions ahead of the 2026 football season