AHSAA releases new classification realignment

Some area football and basketball teams will face new competition next season, according to the AHSAA's 2010-2012 alignment released by the state high school athletics governing body Wednesday.

Two area schools - Rogers and Colbert Heights - dropped in classification in the realignment, which was based on average daily attendance reported by schools to the Alabama State Department of Education during a 20-day period this fall. No area schools moved up in classification.

Rogers, which had played football in Class 4A since 2006, will compete in Class 3A, Region 8 starting next season. Formerly in Class 2A, Clements will join the Pirates in 3A-8.

Meanwhile, Colbert Heights, which played football in Class 3A the past four seasons, dropped from the region and will compete in Class 2A, Region 8.

Priceville slid in to replace Rogers in Class 4A, Region 8.

Though they stayed put, Florence, Russellville and Muscle Shoals all received some good news with the new football alignment.

The Falcons will once again play in an eight-team region in Class 6A, Region 8, as Austin moved to Region 7. However, Decatur, a city rival of the Black Bears, will remain in Region 8.

The new football region alignment will have four nine-team regions in Class 2A and 3A. In the current alignment, the nine-team regions are in Class 1A, 5A and 6A.

Russellville and Muscle Shoals won't have to compete with perennial power Hartselle in Class 5A, Region 8, as the Tigers will move to Region 7. Butler also will leave the region. Columbia and Lawrence County, formerly a Class 4A program, will replace the schools.

Class 1A, Region 8, which was ravaged by school consolidation, will return to an eight-team slate. Hackleburg and Addison join the

six existing teams in that region.

Most noteworthy in the basketball realignment: Brooks and Deshler will once again be area rivals in Class 4A, Area 16 after a two-year hiatus. Also, Lawrence County will replace Hartselle in four-team Class 5A, Area 16, which includes Russellville and Muscle Shoals.

Mars Hill was listed as the largest school in Class 2A, less than one student behind the smallest Class 3A school in average daily attendance.

The basketball realignment eliminated all six-team areas.

High School Heisman candidates

Two area student athletes are among 20 state finalists for the 2008 Wendy's High School Heisman Award, which recognizes top scholar athletes at the state and national levels.

Central's John Mayfield and Phillips' Carlton Williams were each chosen as finalists and remain in contention to become a state winner who will represent Alabama at the national competition in New York City on Dec. 11.

More than 50,000 high school seniors applied for the award nationwide and 10,848 school winners were selected. State finalists were chosen from that group.

One male and one female finalist will be selected at the state level Saturday. All state finalists will win a $2,000 award for his or her school.

At the national competition, both a male and female winner will be crowned, each earning a $10,000 donation to his or her school.

Winners also will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast Dec. 12 on ESPN.

As the playoffs arrive this week, here are some records to ponder: Colbert County narrowly extended its streak to 29 consecutive playoff appearances. As the No. 3 seed out of Class 3A, Region 8, the Indians must go on the road to face Winfield, but historically few programs can match Colbert County's first-round road record of 9-2. The Indians have won 10 straight first-round games and seven straight playoff openers on the road. However, they are 0-2 all-time against Winfield. ... Now defunct Hazlewood won't compete in the playoffs, but the Golden Bears still hold the record for consecutive first-round wins with 20 from 1970-1996. UMS-Wright holds the active record with 15 straight wins. ... Deshler has won 19 of its 20 first-round home games, its only loss coming in 1995 to Cleburne County. Russellville is 17-1 in the first round at home. ... Hazlewood also holds the overall record for first-round wins with 30. Colbert County is second with 27. ... Russellville (8-2) needs wins in the first two rounds to extend its state-best active streak of nine 10-win seasons. ... Class 1A Hackleburg (10-0) is one of 14 undefeated teams heading into the playoffs.