Alabama High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Aug. 25

The 2025 high school football season officially got underway in Alabama over the weekend as programs across the state embark on their respective quests toward Birmingham and a state title. Many of the top dogs in the state held their own and opened the year with a win.

Thompson remains at the top after picking up an impressive ranked victory over Carver, while Saraland trudged its way to a tight win over defending 4A champs Jackson. Top-five teams in Vestavia Hills and Auburn held their own in out-of-state matchups and will now take on one another in a massive game this week.

Multiple ranked matchups are on the horizon. Below are the top 25 teams in Alabama after opening weekend, according to the Massey Ratings.

1. Thompson Warriors (1-0)

Thompson, the defending 7A state champions, got off to a slow start on Thursday and found itself in a 6-6 tie with Montgomery Carver at halftime. Stud junior quarterback Trent Seaborn and Co. got things rolling early in the third quarter, though, scoring in the first two plays of the half. After new senior defensive lineman Viliami Moala jumped on a loose ball for a quick turnover on the following drive, Thompson scored again. Another score in the third quarter and two more turnovers from Carver in the final period helped the Warriors coast to a 37-6 victory. Seaborn threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. With most of the rust shaken off, Thompson now gears up for a nationally-ranked tilt at Grayson, the No. 2 team in Georgia, this Thursday. The Rams defeated the Warriors 15-14 in Alabaster last season.

2. Central Red Devils (1-0)

After falling to Thompson in the 7A state title game last season, Phenix City Central is back in the saddle and once again one of the top programs in Alabama. As it looks for its fourth state title this season, Central rolled Pinson Valley 59-16 to begin the year 1-0. The running back duo of Jayshaun Woodhouse and Donovan Crow combined for 181 yards and four touchdowns. Eight Red Devils caught a pass in the win. They now head to Orlando to take on The First Academy this Friday.

3. Vestavia Hills Rebels (1-0)

Welcoming one of the top programs in South Carolina for its season-opener, Vestavia Hills hit the ground running and bulldozed Westside 49-7. Junior receiver Grayson Harper turned three catches into 104 yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels check in as the No. 69 team nationally and now get ready for one of the more brutal stretches of games any program will endure this season. No. 4 Auburn comes to town this Thursday for a big-time battle. After that, the Rebels will take on No. 5 Hewitt-Trussville, No. 12 Hillcrest and top-ranked Thompson.

4. Auburn Tigers (1-0)

It was a rough week for Florida programs taking on teams from elsewhere. Auburn contributed to that, dusting Sarasota’s Booker Tornadoes in a 24-6 win. The Tigers built a 17-0 lead at halftime, headlined by a 40-yard touchdown pass from star junior quarterback Cason Myers to Joshua Askew, the first of two scores for the tandem. Auburn now heads to No. 3 Vestavia Hills, kicking off what’s also a tough stretch of games for the Tigers. No. 10 Opelika and No. 11 Enterprise are also on deck.

5. Hewitt-Trussville Huskies (1-0)

No drama for Hewitt-Trussville in its opener as it blanked JAG 54-0. Senior quarterback Zach Benedict threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Four different Huskies rushed for a score, including senior Kentucky commit Delvecchio Alston and rising sophomore Chris Davis. They now head to Gadsden City this week before three consecutive ranked matchups. No. 3 Vestavia Hills heads to Trussville on Sept. 5.

6. Saraland Spartans (1-0)

In one of the biggest games of the opening weekend, 6A powerhouse Saraland outlasted defending 4A champs Jackson in a 17-6 slog. Turnovers burnt Jackson, which was playing without star Alabama running back commit Ezavier Crowell, who was suspended for the game due to a violation of state rules. New Saraland junior starting quarterback Jamison Roberts threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns and senior Duke receiver pledge DeShawn Spencer caught nine passes for 115 yards and a TD while the Spartans defense kept a loaded offense in check.

7. Hoover Buccaneers (0-1)

In a nationally-televised matchup to kick off the year, Hoover welcomed Florida juggernaut IMG Academy. The Ascenders, loaded with more blue-chip prospects than any other program in the nation, proved to be too much and won 34-13. Hoover hung around early, with senior Jonah Winston, the younger brother of New York Giants QB Jamies Winston, being the catalyst on offense. The Buccaneers are still set to compete at the top in 7A and will look to get in the win column this weekend at No. 17 Spain Park in Birmingham.

8. Clay-Chalkville Cougars (1-0)

One of the biggest in-state transfers of the offseason saw Ole Miss wide receiver commit Corey Barber head from Spain Park to Clay-Chalkville for his senior season. He cemented his status as one of the best in the state on Friday in a 42-15 win for the Cougars over Hueytown. Barber had three catches but finished with 169 yards and two touchdowns. He also took a punt to the house and threw a 60-yard TD pass in an all-around dominant display. Clay-Chalkville has a favorable schedule to start the year, with a Sept. 19 clash against Brandon, the No. 1 team in Mississippi, looming.

9. Parker Thundering Herd (1-0)

Despite a pair of turnovers early in the first quarter, Parker had no problem dispatching rival Ramsay for a 41-13 victory. The defending 6A champs were led by senior quarterback Dylan Reese, who three for 321 yards and a whopping five touchdowns. The Thundering Herd boast an elite defense and that was apparent on Thursday night, with Texas four-star commit Vodney Cleveland leading the way in the trenches. No. 14 Mountain Brook is on deck this Friday.

10. Opelika Bulldogs (1-0)

Opelika fended off a game Benjamin Russell squad last week to begin the year with a 25-20 win. The Bulldogs leaned on the run game and turned 34 carries into over 150 yards and two scores. Junior QB Colby Key threw for 171 yards, two TDs and an interception in the win. Benjamin Russell star Cederian Morgan, a five-star Alabama receiver commit, caught seven passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough for the Wildcats.

Alabama High School Football Rankings: Nos. 11-25

11. Enterprise Wildcats (1-0)
12. Hillcrest Patriots (1-0)
13. Baker Hornets (1-0)
14. Mountain Brook Spartans (1-0)
15. Montgomery Catholic Prep Knights (1-0)

16. Spanish Fort Toros (1-0)
17. Spain Park Jaguars (1-0)
18. Mary G Montgomery Vikings (1-0)
19. Pike Road Patriots (1-0)
20. Dothan Wolves (1-0)

21. Vigor Wolves (1-0)
22. Carver Wolverines (0-1)
23. Jackson Aggies (0-1)
24. Daphne Trojans (1-0)
25. Hartselle Tigers (1-0)