High School Rankings

[jmar]

Just for prospective here's how Maxpreps rates them. Not too unlike al.com but I have some questions to ask some of you as to how certain programs have suddenly ascended to be an area power when it's located in an outright ghetto (Bessemer City) or has been for decades an empty shell of it's former self. (Lee Montgomery)

https://www.maxpreps.com/m/rankings/list.aspx?page=1&ssid=8d610ab9-220b-465b-9cf0-9f417bce6c65&state=al

[Snaggletiger]

I know this doesn't speak to your question, but more an observation.

Obviously, this is many, many moons ago, but I grew up in Montgomery.  There were 4 classifications with 4A being what 6A and 7A are now.  I went to Jeff Davis and we were always a power in the State and won it the year after I left.  No, it wasn't because I left, so just shut up, okay?

Lee was also very good but their glory days were behind them.  Lanier and Carver were the other two 4A schools and really weren't very good in those days either.

Over the years, Montgomery has changed significantly from a racial standpoint.  As the black population grew, with more and more entering those schools, there was a very pronounced "white flight" to the private schools.  Montgomery Academy, Trinity, St. James etc. were all in a very small private school classification, but due to huge enrollment increases, were quickly becoming 3A to 5A schools.  (After classifications went up to 6A)  In addition, Prattville really benefited as a percentage of Montgomery's population began picking up roots and moving a few miles up the road to P'ville.

Now, maybe more to your topic.  In recent years, Carver has been legit and very competitive against the best in the State.  Lee has burst back on the scene as well.  Hard to say why, but I would imagine it's just a cycle of good athletes coming through at the right time.  I was by Lee High School the other day and that whole place looks like it's about to fall in.  I can't imagine Carver being any better.  But you can take programs like Hoover and many others further north and it's easy to see why they're going to be skrong for as long as they want to be.  All the money, facilities and mindset to compete on the highest level. 

Not trying to leave anybody out.  Just pointing out that certain schools, yes Central, are serious about their foosballz and are almost always going to be a power.  Trust me, Lee won't be up there long.  

[jmar]

I know this doesn't speak to your question, but more an observation.

Obviously, this is many, many moons ago, but I grew up in Montgomery.  There were 4 classifications with 4A being what 6A and 7A are now.  I went to Jeff Davis and we were always a power in the State and won it the year after I left.  No, it wasn't because I left, so just shut up, okay?

Lee was also very good but their glory days were behind them.  Lanier and Carver were the other two 4A schools and really weren't very good in those days either.

Over the years, Montgomery has changed significantly from a racial standpoint.  As the black population grew, with more and more entering those schools, there was a very pronounced "white flight" to the private schools.  Montgomery Academy, Trinity, St. James etc. were all in a very small private school classification, but due to huge enrollment increases, were quickly becoming 3A to 5A schools.  (After classifications went up to 6A)  In addition, Prattville really benefited as a percentage of Montgomery's population began picking up roots and moving a few miles up the road to P'ville.

Now, maybe more to your topic.  In recent years, Carver has been legit and very competitive against the best in the State.  Lee has burst back on the scene as well.  Hard to say why, but I would imagine it's just a cycle of good athletes coming through at the right time.  I was by Lee High School the other day and that whole place looks like it's about to fall in.  I can't imagine Carver being any better.  But you can take programs like Hoover and many others further north and it's easy to see why they're going to be skrong for as long as they want to be.  All the money, facilities and mindset to compete on the highest level.

Not trying to leave anybody out.  Just pointing out that certain schools, yes Central, are serious about their foosballz and are almost always going to be a power.  Trust me, Lee won't be up there long. 

Thank you sir.
Just in speaking with my son about what was strong in my day and before especially Lee, Lanier, Berry (Bham), Banks, JO Johnson etc...

It just seems strange that some fairly populated areas like Selma (Dallas Co.) never rise to power while a school like Thompson, basically Alabaster/ Saginaw does. The argument here is that Calera is benefiting from the population/tax base increase, so how is it that Thompson becomes a power?

A couple of decades ago Thompson was a effing remedial/and or troubled destination.
What changed?

Understand Hoover and Athens...don't understand Tuscaloosa schools currently...even Hillcrest has fallen off.

And why do Pelham, Oak Mountain and and Chelsea suck and how is it that Helena is suddenly pretty good?

How in the world can your area not gain any ground? Troy Henderson north of you has even fallen off.

Gadsden City and Etowah and Central Phenix City I get.
Same with McGill Toolen, St.Pauls and a few others in the Mobile area.

Just curious.

[Snaggletiger]

As I've talked about before, the two 6A schools here, Dothan and Northview, combined.  Now the Dothan Wolves.  They will remain 6A this year because of schedules already locked in, but will go to 7A next year.  Not good.  I went to a Wolves game a couple of weeks ago and while they beat a pretty good Wetumpka squad, they've got miles to go before competing on a 7A level.

Here's the thing. Dothan has a population of probably close to 70,000.  Numbers aren't the problem.  Plenty of kids and plenty of athletes.  It's just that the overall football culture down here has been a whole lot of don't give a damn for as long as I can recall.  I've been here 35 years.  Even Eufaula, in one of the poorest counties in the state, has an indoor practice facility.  They love em' some foosball and are serious about at least trying to be good. The facilities here are pathetic.  Rip Hewes Stadium seats 10,000 and could be a bad ass place to play; however, the locker rooms are so small and dilapidated that they aren't even in use except to go to the bathroom. 

There is hope, though.  They went out and hired a legit coach who has built programs in the past.  Smitty Grider was Park Crossing's first coach and went 38-9 at the helm.  He seems to get what it takes to change the culture here and I hope people are willing to get behind him.  This area has so much potential, but just needs someone to get err'body fired up to do what it takes to build the program.  

[CCTAU]

As I've talked about before, the two 6A schools here, Dothan and Northview, combined.  Now the Dothan Wolves.  They will remain 6A this year because of schedules already locked in, but will go to 7A next year.  Not good.  I went to a Wolves game a couple of weeks ago and while they beat a pretty good Wetumpka squad, they've got miles to go before competing on a 7A level.

Here's the thing. Dothan has a population of probably close to 70,000.  Numbers aren't the problem.  Plenty of kids and plenty of athletes.  It's just that the overall football culture down here has been a whole lot of don't give a damn for as long as I can recall.  I've been here 35 years.  Even Eufaula, in one of the poorest counties in the state, has an indoor practice facility.  They love em' some foosball and are serious about at least trying to be good. The facilities here are pathetic.  Rip Hewes Stadium seats 10,000 and could be a bad ass place to play; however, the locker rooms are so small and dilapidated that they aren't even in use except to go to the bathroom.

There is hope, though.  They went out and hired a legit coach who has built programs in the past.  Smitty Grider was Park Crossing's first coach and went 38-9 at the helm.  He seems to get what it takes to change the culture here and I hope people are willing to get behind him.  This area has so much potential, but just needs someone to get err'body fired up to do what it takes to build the program. 

I rode by Northview on the way home form the beach last week. Well, now it says Dothan High. Seemed weird. Now that only one high school is in Dothan, maybe they will get more attention.
Where I live, we have two high schools with a MILE of each other. Its hard when you split the community.

[jmar]

I rode by Northview on the way home form the beach last week. Well, now it says Dothan High. Seemed weird. Now that only one high school is in Dothan, maybe they will get more attention.
Where I live, we have two high schools with a MILE of each other. Its hard when you split the community.

Gardendale's fair in football. They tried to get their own school system but their honky asses were denied unlike some of the honkier asses south of Birmingham. Go figure!

[djsimp]

Gardendale's fair in football. They tried to get their own school system but their honky asses were denied unlike some of the honkier asses south of Birmingham. Go figure!

Had more to do with a new rule pushed through in the JEFFCO School system filed under the Desegregation Law. Welcome to the new age of high school football recruiting in B'ham Metro.



https://www.al.com/news/2019/05/jefferson-county-to-offer-school-choice-under-desegregation-plan.html

[jmar]

Had more to do with a new rule pushed through in the JEFFCO School system filed under the Desegregation Law. Welcome to the new age of high school football recruiting in B'ham Metro.



https://www.al.com/news/2019/05/jefferson-county-to-offer-school-choice-under-desegregation-plan.html

So Gardendale has racist motivations.
Interesting.