PRESS PICKS: The beginning (and possibly the end) of high school athletics as we know it
STAFF REPORT
Will we ever see a football season like the one that is at the cusp of the beginning?
Have we ever seen so many changes at nearly every level that almost redefines the sport?
Do we think this is just the beginning with more changes on the way? (Are any of them for the betterment of the sport?)
Is there anyone happy about any of this?
Since high school football is the focus this week, we’ll stick to the modifications that are hitting the sport in the state of Alabama and what it might mean to its future.
We already know about the separation of the private schools from the public schools in the AHSAA. There have been hints this would happen for several years so it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, unless you weren’t paying attention.
The irony is it finally made it clear to private school officials that they should look into starting their own league and that’s happened with the introduction of the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association earlier this summer. It wasn’t necessarily a knee jerk reaction but it seems as though the decision to begin the new league came after private school officials realized the cost of doing business was about to double.
Public school officials seem to be taking a no nonsense approach to the announcement, expecting little or no change in the future. And they may be right.
But if they aren’t…
The entire spectrum of high school athletics will be recast with numerous revisions involving both associations (three if you count AISA, which is most certainly to become more of an education collaboration than athletic).
Money may become an issue for all involved, how it is doled out most certainly will change. Who benefits from that remains to be seen.
Competition becomes much more distinctive than what we are normally used to. We will especially see a difference come playoff time. Some may like it; others not so much.
There are other variances that will come to fruition in this first (and maybe only) year of alteration with the future in the balance.
You might want to take a snapshot as we begin. High school athletics may never look like this again.
2025 Final Standings (Bowl picks)
1. Michael Butler 198-82 (8-17) .707
2. Graham Dunn 197-83 (9-16) .703
3. Barry McKnight 190-90 (13-12) .679
Doug Amos 190-90 (8-17) .679
5. Wesley Lyle 187-93 (8-17) .668
6. Tim Gayle 186-94 (8-17) .664
7. Mike Peacock 182-88 (12-13) .650
8. Rick Hendrick 176-104 (4-21) .628
9. Lindsey Bonner 172-83 (0-0) .679
10. Rosie Langello 169-86 (0-0) .667
11. Mike Tankersley 0-0 (0-0) ——
Michael Butler (WTLS 101.1&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
198-82 (8-17) .707
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Enterprise
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Andalusia
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Eufaula
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
197-83 (9-16) .703
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Woodlawn
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Eufaula
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Barry McKnight (Voice of Troy Trojans)
190-90 (13-12) .679
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Enterprise
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Niceville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Chilton Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Bibb Co.
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
190-90 (8-17) .679
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports)
187-93 (8-17) .668
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Enterprise
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Woodlawn
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Niceville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Andalusia
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
186-94 (8-17) .664
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Bibb Co
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports/ASU Hornets Radio analyst )
182-88 (12-13) .650
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise -Enterprise
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Niceville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Andalusia
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Bibb Co
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
176-104 (4-21) .628
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Niceville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Chilton Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
172-83 (0-0) .679
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Andalusia
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Rosie Langello (WSFA Ch. 12 New and Sports)
169-86 (0-0) .667
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Enterprise
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Prattville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Andalusia
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Aca.
Catholic at Eufaula - Catholic
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity
Mike Tankersley (River Region Sports/WTLS contributor)
0-0 (0-0) —-
P. Julian vs G.W. Carver - Carver
Pike Road at Enterprise - Pike Road
Woodlawn at Park Crossing - Park Crossing
Prattville at Niceville, Fla. - Niceville
Wetumpka at Andalusia - Wetumpka
Chilton Co at Elmore Co - Elmore Co.
Tallassee at Montgomery Academy - Tallassee
Catholic at Eufaula - Eufaula
Oak Grove at Alabama Christian - Oak Grove
Bibb Co at Trinity (Thur) - Trinity