Alabama High School Football: A Season of Surprises and Streaks

The 2022 Alabama high school football season has been a rollercoaster ride, with unexpected twists and turns that have captivated fans across the state. From dominant streaks to remarkable turnarounds, this year's slate of games has revealed the true grit and talent of the state's players and teams.

Unparalleled Dominance: Montgomery Catholic's Remarkable Run

Montgomery Catholic's football program has been a force to be reckoned with in recent years. The Knights' last regular season loss came in 2020 when they fell to Montgomery Academy, 32-21. Since then, they have reeled off an astounding 38 consecutive regular season victories, including a 63-6 blowout of Charles Henderson on Friday night.The Knights' dominance during this streak has been nothing short of remarkable. They have climbed two classifications since the start of their run and have yet to lose a regular season game during that time. While they have only one state title to show for their efforts, the Knights have firmly established themselves as one of the best teams in Alabama, regardless of classification.The true test for Montgomery Catholic's streak will come this week as they travel to face 6A powerhouse Saraland. Although the game carries little playoff significance, it will undoubtedly be one of the biggest regular season challenges the Knights have faced in quite some time.

Mary Montgomery's Remarkable Turnaround

If you had told a fan of AHSAA football in 2021 that Mary Montgomery would go on to make the playoffs in the next two seasons, including a spot in the state semifinals, they might have thought you were joking. Before the arrival of head coach Zach Golson in 2022, the Vikings had not made the playoffs since 2002, and they had never won a postseason game.However, the transformation under Golson's leadership has been nothing short of remarkable. In just three years, the Vikings have gone from a 0-10 team to a 22-7 powerhouse, with a region title, an undefeated regular season, and a state semifinal appearance under their belt. The concept of Mary Montgomery becoming a playoff contender would have seemed nearly impossible just a few years ago, but the Vikings have proven that with the right leadership and dedication, anything is possible.

Dothan Wolves: A Season of Heartbreak

The Dothan Wolves have had a season of heartbreak so far, with three region losses, each by a margin of just seven points. Despite holding leads in those games, the Wolves have been unable to close them out, losing to Enterprise, Central-Phenix City, and Carver Montgomery.With three region losses already, Dothan has little room for error, and they may not have even faced the best team in their region yet, with Auburn looming on the schedule. The Wolves' season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and they will need to bounce back quickly if they hope to salvage their playoff hopes.

Parker's Impressive Performance in Defeat

It's not often that a team can impress in a loss, but that's exactly what Parker did in their 48-26 defeat against Carrollton High School from Georgia. The game, which was aired on ESPN2, allowed the Thundering Herd to showcase their elite defense against a nationally ranked Top 10 team.Parker's only real downfall in the game was their special teams, as mistakes in the kicking game likely cost them a chance to make the game much closer. Despite the loss, Parker's playoff chances were not harmed, and they proved to the state that they can play with anyone, both in Alabama and across the nation.

Jackson Aggies: The Class 4A Favorites?

Jackson started the season with a close loss to Saraland, but since then, they have continued to improve. Last week's 20-13 win over 7A then-undefeated Baker was an impressive feat, and the Aggies followed that up with a dominant 49-7 victory over former 3A state champion Mobile Christian.With the Aggies rolling over their competition, it feels like it would be a major letdown if they don't win the 4A state title. While anything can happen in high school football, it seems that Jackson and the rest of the field are playing for second place in Class 4A.