Big changes are coming to Alabama high school football, and they’re bound to spark some heated debates. Starting in 2026, private schools will compete in their own separate divisions for championships, a move that’s already dividing opinions among fans, coaches, and players. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this decision a step toward fairness, or does it create an entirely new set of challenges? Let’s dive into the details and explore how these two new private school divisions are shaping up.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Central Board has officially voted to split private and public schools into distinct divisions for championship play. Class AA and Class A will now operate independently, with private schools exclusively competing against one another. This morning’s announcement (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/ahsaa-announces-public-private-school-football-split-heres-whats-happening-next-year.html) outlined the regional breakdown, which we’ll break down for you below.
Class AA: Two Regions, Eight Schools Each
Region 1:
Faith Academy, Glenwood, Houston Academy, McGill-Toolen, Montgomery Catholic, St. Michael, St. Paul’s, and UMS-Wright will face off in what promises to be a highly competitive region. With schools like St. Paul’s and McGill-Toolen in the mix, expect some intense matchups.
Region 2:
American Christian, Briarwood, John Carroll, Lee-Scott, Madison Academy, Randolph, St. John Paul II, and Westminster Christian round out the second region. Briarwood and Madison Academy are likely to be early favorites, but don’t count out the underdog contenders.
Class A: Four Regions, Eight Schools Each
Region 1:
Bayshore Christian, Bayside Academy, Cottage Hill, Mobile Christian, Northside Methodist, Providence Christian, and St. Luke’s will compete here. Mobile Christian and Providence Christian could emerge as early frontrunners.
Region 2:
Alabama Christian, Fort Dale, Pike Liberal Arts, Prattville Christian, Saint James, Montgomery Academy, and Trinity make up this region. Montgomery Academy and Trinity are expected to be strong competitors.
Region 3:
Autauga Academy, Ellwood Christian, Holy Spirit, Pickens Academy, Donoho, Tuscaloosa Academy, and Victory Christian will battle it out. Holy Spirit and Tuscaloosa Academy may be the teams to watch.
Region 4:
Coosa Christian, Decatur Heritage, Lindsay Lane, Mars Hill Bible, Shoals Christian, Westbrook Christian, and Whitesburg Christian complete the lineup. Decatur Heritage and Mars Hill Bible could surprise many this season.
And this is the part most people miss: While the split aims to level the playing field, it also raises questions about resource allocation, school funding, and the overall spirit of competition. Are private schools truly at an advantage, or is this division creating unnecessary barriers? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
For those interested in other sports, similar changes are underway. Check out the new lineups for Alabama high school volleyball in 1A, 2A, 3A (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/alabama-high-school-volleyball-see-the-new-1a-2a-3a-lineups-after-public-private-school-split.html), 4A (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/alabama-high-school-volleyball-heres-new-4a-lineup-after-public-private-school-split.html), and 5A (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/alabama-high-school-volleyball-heres-new-5a-lineup-after-public-private-school-split.html), as well as the two new private school divisions (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/alabama-high-school-volleyball-see-2-new-private-school-divisions-after-public-private-split.html). Flag football is also seeing changes, with a new Class 5A and private school class introduced for 2026 (https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/alabama-flag-football-ahsaa-adds-new-class-5a-private-school-class-for-2026.html).
As we navigate these shifts, one thing is clear: Alabama high school sports are evolving, and the conversation is far from over. What’s your take on this division split? Fair move or unnecessary complication? Let us know below!
