By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
The road to Super 7 begins Friday night, and several Sand Mountain programs are ready to chase championship dreams as the AHSAA state playoffs kick off across Alabama.
Class 3A
Geraldine vs. Rogers
Fresh off securing the Region 8 championship, the No. 4 Geraldine Bulldogs (9-1) return home to Coolidge-Isbell Field riding a five-game win streak and one of the most dominant seasons in school history.
Geraldine has hammered opponents 412-141 while fielding its stingiest defense since 2008 — just 119 points allowed through 11 games. The Bulldogs are coming off a 42-25 non-region win over 5A Douglas and appear every bit poised for another deep playoff push after last year’s semifinal run.
Geraldine head coach Michael Davis, now 46-14 in his fifth season, owns a 6-4 postseason record.
Rogers (5-5), the No. 4 seed from Region 7, enters after a 38-28 setback to Lexington. Friday marks the first-ever meeting between the Bulldogs and Pirates.
Fyffe vs. Lauderdale County
No. 7 Fyffe (7-2) looks to reset following last week’s open date and a tough 17-6 loss at Geraldine the week prior. Still, the Red Devils — making their remarkable 25th straight playoff appearance — remain one of the state’s most decorated programs.
Legendary head coach Paul Benefield has built a dynasty, bringing seven titles to Fyffe and posting a 322-50 record in 29 seasons at the school (65-20 in postseason play).
Fyffe has outscored opponents 395-163 this fall, and the Region 8 runner-up will host Region 7 No. 3 seed Lauderdale County (7-3), a team carrying a four-game win streak after rolling Colbert Heights 37-12.
The schools have never met on the gridiron.
Class 5A
Guntersville vs. Priceville
A rivalry win over Albertville has the No. 8 Guntersville Wildcats (8-1, 5-1) entering the postseason with momentum. Guntersville has won three straight and now hosts Priceville (7-3) at Chorba-Lee Stadium as the Region 8 runner-up.
Head coach Lance Reese — the winningest in program history — is 137-45 in 16 seasons, though the Wildcats are seeking their first playoff win since 2023 after last year’s first-round exit at Leeds.
Guntersville is 2-0 all-time versus Priceville, including a 62-7 rout in 2009.
Boaz at Russellville
The Boaz Pirates (8-2) take to the road as the No. 3 seed from Region 8, heading to face Region 7 runner-up Russellville (6-4).
Boaz has surged late, winning back-to-back games — including last week’s 34-21 victory against Oneonta — as first-year head coach Luke Pruitt guides the program into postseason play. The Pirates are seeking their first road playoff win since 2023, when they defeated Southside 10-7.
Russellville enters off a 28-12 loss to Athens but owns the only win in the short series — a 63-10 first-round playoff win in 2022
Boaz receiver Dayton Porter. BENTLEY GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
