2026 AHSAA Football Schedules for Tuscaloosa Teams

High school football returns to the Tuscaloosa area this August, with local squads set to start play on Aug. 20‑22. The regular season stretches through Oct. 30, followed by region games that will sort out playoff positioning and a postseason slate beginning in November. The AHSAA championship games are slated for the first week of December.

Public‑Private Split Takes Effect

This is the first season the AHSAA’s postseason public‑private split is enforced, reshaping class alignments and region assignments for the area’s private schools. The change promises to alter competitive balance and could impact playoff eligibility for both public and private programs.

Season Timeline

Preseason action kicks off with Northridge facing American Christian on Thursday, Aug. 20. The opening weekend includes multiple matchups such as Hillcrest versus Tuscaloosa County and a contest between University Charter and Hubbertville. Week 1 concludes with Pickens Academy meeting Pickens County on Aug. 27.

Early September brings a packed schedule highlighted by American Christian at John Carroll (marked as a region game), Paul W. Bryant at Bessemer City, and Greene County at Dallas County. Mid‑season weeks continue the rhythm, featuring Tuscaloosa Academy at Autauga Academy and Hoover’s clash with Tuscaloosa County.

October’s later weeks focus on region‑determining games. Week 9 includes Sumter Central versus Aliceville and a showdown between Paul W. Bryant and McAdory. Week 10 features Southside Selma at Linden, with final regular‑season contests on Oct. 30 such as Tuscaloosa County at Calera.

Key Teams to Watch

Paul W. Bryant headlines the schedule with games against Albertville, Bessemer City, Hueytown, Central, and McAdory. Tuscaloosa County faces Hewitt‑Trussville, Autauga Academy, Spain Park, Oak Mountain, and wraps up against Calera.

Private programs navigate the new split with matches like American Christian versus St. John Paul II, Westminster Christian, and Briarwood. Tuscaloosa Academy also appears in several fixtures, including a trip to Hope Christian Academy and a home game against Ellwood Christian.

These encounters not only define regular‑season records but also set the stage for the AHSAA postseason tournament that culminates in early December.