Cedar Bluff football coach Jonathan McWhorter said his numbers a little down this year, but that hasn’t stopped a few of the state’s sportswriters from giving the Tigers a little respect in the Class 1A poll.

The Tigers, two years removed from a state championship appearance, garnered seven votes for the poll. Sweet Water, the defending Class 1A state champion, begins defense of its title as the unanimous choice for the top spot.

The Tigers finished 7-5 last season, winning their final three regular-season games to earn a spot in the state playoffs. Cedar Bluff defeated Lynn in the first round 28-20 before bowing out to Talladega County Central, 39-19.

While not being among the state’s top 10 yet, McWhorter said any recognition given to the Tiger program is “always an honor.”

“I think our tradition is always considered,” McWhorter said. “For years and years, Cedar Bluff has had some great teams, and year in and year out, those around the state give our football program some respect.”

McWhorter agreed with the writers’ selection of Sweet Water as the number one team in Class 1A, as well as several other of the teams that were ranked.

“All of those teams had great seasons last year,” he said. “Sweet Water is the defending state champion, so they should start out on top. In my opinion, I would have put Gaston (No. 4) a little higher. They’re in our region and are real tough. I would say they’re the frontrunner for our region championship this year.”

The Tigers tangle with Gaston on Oct. 17. Cedar Bluff won last year’s battle 13-10.

Other area teams receiving votes from the state sportswriters are Sand Rock (Class 2A), Piedmont (Class 3A) and Cherokee County (Class 4A).

Sand Rock, which finished 9-3 last season, garnered a vote. Leroy, the defending Class 2A champion, tops the poll after receiving first on 27 of the 28 ballots. Clay County, which moves back down from Class 3A this season, comes in at number two.

The Piedmont Bulldogs posted one of their best records in history last season by going 10-3 and captured a berth in the Class 2A state quarterfinals. This year, Piedmont moves up to Class 3A and received nine votes in the poll.

Cordova, the defending 3A state champion, begins defense of its title being ranked number one. The Blue Devils finished 15-0 last season and earned all 28 first-place votes. Colbert County, which went 12-2 last year, comes in at number two.

In Class 4A, the Cherokee County Warriors garnered a vote. The Warriors finished last season with a 5-5 record and just missed the state playoffs. Deshler comes in at number one. The Tigers, who went 12-3 last season, earned 27 of 28 first-place votes.

Practice for Alabama High School Athletic Association schools began last Monday, while the first games of the season will be held the weekend of Aug. 28-30. The AHSAA playoffs begin on Nov. 7, ending with the Super Six at Legion Field in Birmingham from Dec. 4-6.

A complete listing of the Class 1A-6A polls, including all schools receiving votes with first-place votes and last year’s record in parentheses, can be seen below.

Class 6A

1. Prattville (26)(15-0) 330

2. Hoover (1)(6-6) 236

3. Tuscaloosa Co. (1)(11-1) 232

4. McGill-Toolen(13-2)167

5. Gadsden City (10-2) 150

6. Daphne (10-2) 132

7. Oxford (3-7) 69

8. Florence (8-3) 57

9. Vestavia Hills (12-2) 53

10. Hueytown (12-2) 46

Others receiving votes: Opelika 38; Pelham 28; Mountain Brook 16; Austin 12; Central-Phenix City 10; Spain Park 9; Wetumpka 6; Foley 5; Jess Lanier 4; Decatur 3.

Class 5A

1. Eufaula (15) (9-3) 285

2. Briarwood Chr.(4) (14-1) 236

3. Cullman (13-1) 181

4. Russellville (2) (10-2) 178

5. McAdory (10-1) 153

6. St. Paul’s (14-1) 115

7. Wenonah (5) (8-2) 88

8. Henderson-Troy (12-1) 68

9. Chelsea (8-4) 62

10. Central-Tuscaloosa (1) (15-0) 61

Others receiving votes: Demopolis 53; Erwin (1) 52; J.O. Johnson 43; Vigor 24; Carver-Montgomery 10.

Class 4A

1. Deshler (27) (12-3) 333

2. Thomasville (1) (11-3) 238

3. North Jackson (11-1) 209

4. UMS-Wright (6-7) 163

5. Brooks (12-2) 150

6. Handley (11-2) 127

7. Clarke Co. (12-1) 80

8. Lincoln (9-4) 73

9. Andalusia (11-3) 72

10. Elmore Co. (9-3) 46

Others receiving votes: Guntersville 43; Fairview 24; Fayette Co. 14; Calera 10; Cleburne Co. 8; Bibb Co. 3; Hokes Bluff 2; Cherokee Co. 1; Oak Grove 1; Hillcrest-Evergreen 1.

Class 3A

1. Cordova (28) (15-0) 336

2. Colbert Co. (12-2) 249

3. Trinity (8-4) 168

4. T.R. Miller (5-6) 156

5. Pike Co. (12-1) 147

6. West Morgan (6-5) 146

7. Leeds (8-5) 123

8. Good Hope (7-4) 71

9. Sardis (8-4) 68

tie Winfield (10-2) 68

Others receiving votes: Slocomb 21; Geneva 15; Wicksburg 10; Elkmont 9; Piedmont 9; Tarrant 8; Colbert Heights 1; Gordo 1.

Class 2A

1. Leroy (27) (14-1) 333

2. Clay Co. (1) (14-1) 254

3. Addison (8-3) 191

4. Red Bay (13-1) 187

5. Fyffe (14-1) 145

6. Houston Acad. (7-3) 106

7. Houston Co. (7-4) 94

8. American Chr. (11-3) 70

9. Fultondale (7-4) 55

10. West End (7-4) 54

Others receiving votes: Pickens Co. 46; Tanner 20; Cottonwood 18; Lanett 16; Sulligent 6; St. Jude 2; Southern Choctaw 1; Sand Rock 1; Excel 1.

Class 1A

1. Sweet Water (28) (14-0) 336

2. Talladega Co.-Central (14-1) 223

3. Brantley (10-2) 200

4. Gaston (8-4) 198

5. Hazlewood (12-1) 157

6. Ariton (6-5) 101

7. Wadley (11-2) 90

8. Loachapoka (9-2) 73

9. Shoals Chr. (7-6) 60

10. Providence Chr. (7-4) 49

tie Maplesville (12-1) 49



Others receiving votes: Ragland 18; Speake 12; Linden 12; Cedar Bluff 7; R.A. Hubbard 3; Appalachian 1, J.U. Blacksher 1.