The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 5A had found it – at least according to this week’s Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. Seven teams – the most in any class since 2006 – received voted for the top spot.

In fact, Class 6A No. 1 Hoover – the only unanimous pick in this week’s poll – has a margin of 107 points over second place and Region 6 rival Vestavia Hills. Some 102 points separate the top seven teams in Class 5A with the eighth place team – and only unbeaten squad in the whole class, Fort Payne – still picking up three first-place votes.

Why is the poll so tight? Upsets in class and losses out of it. The haymaker was Walker’s 49-28 win over then-No. 1 Russellville, which knocked the Golden Eagles to sixth and the Vikings moved up to third.

That spread the first-place votes around to the seven other schools, whether or not they won. For example, Briarwood Christian and Hartselle stepped up in class to play teams ranked in 6A – then No. 3 Hartselle losing 20-14 to 6A No. 9 Decatur and No. 2 Briarwood to 6A No. 4 Vestavia Hills, 34-10.

Losing to teams in a higher class didn’t always pay off in this week’s poll. Class 2A No. 1 Leroy lost to Class 4A No. 1 Jackson and fell to second, with Elba moving into the top spot. Class 1A No. 1 Sweet Water lost to Class 3A No. 5 Handley, 41-27; Handley bumped up a spot in 3A, Sweet Water fell to third.

Hoover, Jackson, Class 3A Leeds and AISA leader Fort Dale Academy all held their spots.
This week’s games involving ranked teams include: Class 6A No. 8 Auburn at No. 9 Central-Phenix City, Class 3A No. 6 Bayside at No. 7 Washington County, Class 1A No. 7 R.A. Hubbard hosting No. 5 Addison, AISA No. 1 Fort Dale hosts No. 4 Monroe Academy, and No. 6 Prattville Christian hosts No. 7 Pike Liberal Arts.
 
 CLASS 6A 
1. Hoover (35)   (5-0)      420 
2. Vestavia Hills                 (5-0)      313 
3. Daphne           (5-0)      235
4. Bob Jones       (4-1)      220 
5. Decatur           (5-0)      170 
6. Gadsden City                (4-1)      158 
7. Davidson         (4-1)      138 
8. Auburn            (4-1)      75
9. Central-Phenix City    (5-0)       57 
10. Wetumpka (4-0)      55 
Others receiving votes: Carver-Montgomery (4-1) 53, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (5-0) 45, Prattville (3-2) 19, Foley (4-1) 11, Oxford (3-2) 10, Mountain Brook (4-1) 9, Enterprise (3-2) 3, Murphy (4-1) 3, Hewitt-Trussville (4-1) 1.