Gadsden-area high school football kicks off under new AHSAA structure
Local teams begin Week 1 play on 27 and 28 August as the Association of High School Athletic Associations implements significant divisional changes for the 2026 season.
High school football has returned to the Gadsden area of Alabama, with local clubs commencing their Week 1 fixtures on 27 and 28 August 2026. While the Association of High School Athletic Associations (AHSAA) season officially began the previous week, several regional teams waited until this week to begin their campaigns.
The schedule for the Gadsden area features 15 matches on Friday, 28 August, following an opening game on Thursday, 27 August. Hokes Bluff kicks off its season against Southside on Thursday, while Westbrook Christian travels to Ashville for its first contest.
Traditional rivalries also feature prominently in the early stages of the season. Cherokee County faces Piedmont, and Sand Rock takes on Spring Garden, marking the start of play for these long-standing local opponents.
The 2026 season is defined by significant structural reforms within the AHSAA. The most notable change is a public-private split that has created two distinct classes and eliminated the 7A division. These adjustments represent a major shift in how teams are categorised and compete across the state.
The regular season is scheduled to run through October, with playoffs commencing in November. The campaign will conclude with the AHSAA Football championships, which are set to be held in Mobile from 1 to 5 December.
According to reporting from The Gadsden Times, these changes form part of a broader set of modifications for the current year, altering the competitive landscape for high school athletics in Alabama.
