CULLMAN, Ala. — High school football programs across Cullman County will compete under a new alignment beginning with the 2026 season as the Alabama High School Athletic Association implements its updated classification model separating public and private schools for championship play.
The new structure, which will be in place for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, reorganizes schools based on enrollment while establishing separate postseason paths for public and private institutions.
Regular-season scheduling flexibility remains, but region competition and playoff qualification will follow the new classifications.
Several Cullman County programs will remain grouped with familiar opponents, while others will see subtle shifts within their regions.
Addison and Meek will compete in Class 1A, placed together in a region that includes Belgreen, Cherokee, Hackleburg, Phillips, Red Bay and Waterloo. The grouping keeps both programs aligned with traditional North Alabama opponents and preserves long-standing regional rivalries.
Cold Springs will compete in Class 2A and is grouped in a region with Carbon Hill, Cleveland, Gordo, Lamar County, Locust Fork, Midfield and Southeastern. The alignment places Cold Springs among programs of similar size while maintaining a geographically manageable region.
Hanceville, Holly Pond and Vinemont will all compete in Class 3A and are grouped together in the same region alongside Etowah, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Oneonta and Susan Moore. The placement ensures multiple county matchups during region play and adds added importance to local rivalries with postseason implications.
West Point will compete in Class 4A and is placed in a region with Ardmore, Brooks, Deshler, Hamilton, Lawrence County, Priceville and West Morgan. The grouping introduces a slate of competitive programs while keeping travel largely regional.
Fairview and Good Hope will also compete in Class 4A but are grouped in a separate region with Brewer, Cherokee County, Crossville, Guntersville, Hayden and Sardis. The alignment places both programs alongside a mix of established football programs from across the region.
Cullman High School will compete in Class 5A and is grouped in a region with Gardendale, Huffman, Jackson-Olin, Jasper, Minor, Mortimer Jordan and Parker. The placement continues Cullman’s competition against larger enrollment schools and traditional opponents from recent seasons.
Private schools in Cullman will compete under the AHSAA’s separate private school championship format. Cullman Christian School and St. Bernard Prep are classified within the private school divisions for postseason play. While both programs may continue to schedule public school opponents during the regular season, their playoff paths will follow the private school bracket.
The new football alignment reflects the AHSAA’s effort to balance competition while maintaining regional integrity. Region standings will determine playoff qualification under the updated postseason format.
The classifications will remain in place for two seasons before being reevaluated by the AHSAA.
AHSAA 2026–28 FOOTBALL ALIGNMENTS
Class 1A — Region 7
Addison
Belgreen
Cherokee
Hackleburg
Meek
Phillips
Red Bay
Waterloo
Class 2A — Region 5
Carbon Hill
Cleveland
Cold Springs
Gordo
Lamar County
Locust Fork
Midfield
Southeastern
Class 3A — Region 6
Etowah
Glencoe
Hanceville
Hokes Bluff
Holly Pond
Oneonta
Susan Moore
Vinemont
Class 4A — Region 7
Ardmore
Brooks
Deshler
Hamilton
Lawrence County
Priceville
West Morgan
West Point
Class 4A — Region 8
Brewer
Cherokee County
Crossville
Fairview
Good Hope
Guntersville
Hayden
Sardis
Class 5A — Region 5
Cullman
Gardendale
Huffman
Jackson-Olin
Jasper
Minor
Mortimer Jordan
Parker
Private Schools — Football
Cullman Christian School
St. Bernard Prep
(Private schools compete in separate private championship divisions under the AHSAA model. Region assignments for regular-season scheduling may vary by sport.)
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