The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

https://www.al.com/expo/sports/erry-2018...te-fo.html

DL Alex Wright, Elba, Sr., 6-6, 223 - 1A, 2nd Team
ATH Keondre Swoopes, Hartselle, Sr., 6-0, 165 - 6A, 1st Team
DL: Kevin Penn, Austin, Sr., 6-3, 300 - 7A, 2nd Team

The Conner kid out of Thompson is 7A first team all state.

Damien Miller was first team selection at defensive back in Class 5A.

I guess I missed a couple. I hate the al.com page loading. It makes it very difficult to scroll down as images keep adjusting the page.

7A? There are seven divisions in Alabama public HS sports now? That's crazy.

There was such a disparity in enrollment between the top schools in the state and everyone else that they created a new division for that. Trussville, Thompson, Hoover, etc. are all 7A. It has been in place for a few years now.

I tend to like it.

My hometown school is near the top in enrollment in 5A whereas before they had to compete with Cullman, Decatur, & Hartselle.

I can't remember the number but there pay be like 32 schools total in 7A with 16 of them getting a playoff bid.

They don't play the same weekend as other schools in the semi-final round in football due to having less in the playoffs but they are first up to play in the championships the following week normally on that Wednesday.

The 7A division is sort of like the "Super Conference" discussed for D1 FBS schools a few seasons ago. They have the coaches making 6 figure salaries, usually meeting no regular classes and only have to deal with willing / cooperative students (if they are not, they are sent back to academic teachers who can't reject them) and are the "face" of the school to the public.
About 90% of the "failing schools" (according to the AAA rankings) in the state are from the underfunded smaller (Divisions 1,2,3 and some 4),usually rural, schools. Their athletes rarely sign D1 scholarships, but schools like Jax State and Miles sign them by the dozen..

AJC: 2018 All-State high school football team (Georgia)
https://www.ajc.com/blog/high-school-spo...50wH76dDJ/

CLASS AAAAAAA LB - Rashard Revels, Colquitt County, 6-0, 195, Sr. [actually signee as Safety]