Bryant-Denny Hosting AHSAA Super 7
If you thought football at Bryant-Denny Stadium was over this year when Alabama trounced Chattanooga, think again. The Alabama High School Athletic Association will play its state title games this week in Tuscaloosa, and there's a Bama football angle to consider.
Several of the teams competiting for the Big Blue Map trophy signifying a state championship have players that are either currently committed to Nick Saban or are being actively recruited by the Crimson Tide.
Below is a list of the games scheduled and the players you should watch in those games if you're an Alabama football fan, becuause in many cases it will be their first, but not last time playing on the turf of the 18-time national champions.
SUPER 7 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Dec. 6-7-8
(Home teams listed second in each pairing)
CLASS 1A FINALS
Coosa Christian (9-5) vs. Leroy (13-0), Thurs., Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
CLASS 2A FINALS
Fyffe (13-1) vs. Reeltown (13-0), Fri., Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
CLASS 3A FINALS
Mobile Christian (14-0) vs. Madison Academy (14-0), Thurs., Dec. 7, 11 a.m.
CLASS 4A FINALS
Montgomery Catholic (14-0) vs. Cherokee County (13-1), Fri., Dec. 8, 11 a.m.
CLASS 5A FINALS
Gulf Shores (14-0) vs. Ramsay (12-2), Thurs.,, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Ramsay features linebacker Quinton "Q" Reese, a 6-0, 205-pounder whose dad Quinton played at Auburn.
Antonio Coleman is a, Saraland junior defensive lineman, who is 6-4,285s and is committed to Alabama. He is a part of a lethal Saraland defense holding opponents to 13.9 points per game.
CLASS 6A FINALS
Saraland (14-0) vs. Clay-Chalkville (13-0), Fri., Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
Saraland receiver Ryan Williams Jr. is pledge to Bama and is the most electric player in the state as a junior. The hope is he will reclassify, graduate in May and enroll at Alabama then, but that's still TBD.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe is a 5-11, 170-pound athlete who projects in the secondary and as a kick returner at the next level. He may be the second best athlete in the state on the gridiron after Williams.
CLASS 7A FINALS
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
Central-Phenix City (12-0) vs. Thompson (11-1), Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Central features a pair of Albama verbals: Ryadrrius "Red" Morgan, a 6-0, 175-pound safety and his teammate Isaia Faga, a defensive lineman listed at 6-2, 275.
The big name on Thompson is ninth-grade quarterback Trent Seaborn, who led the Warriors to a state title in Jordan-Hare Stadium last year. He's been held back twice academically and is 16 years old, so not your typical freshman.
Seaborn is listed at 6-0, 179 but likely is not done growing. He works under two of the country's best quarterback coaches. During the season it's Thompson Head Coach Mark Freeman, and the rest of the year Seaborn is trained by family friend Galu Tagovailoa, Tua Tagovailoa's father. Both men knw a thing or 100 about the quarterback position.
The ladies will be at it as well this week.
CLASS 1A/5A FINALS
Montgomery Catholic vs. Wenonah, Wednesday, 1 p.m.
CLASS 6A/7A FINALS
Central-Phenix City vs. Vestavia Hills, Wednesday, 1 p.m.