The Super Six State Championships begin tomorrow at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, none of last year’s six Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) state champions survived this year’s playoffs to earn a chance to defend their titles. 

This year’s event marks the 28th year since the six-classification format was introduced in Alabama in 1984. Previously, a four-class format had been used, beginning in 1966. This year also marks the 15th in a row that all six games have been played at a neutral site. Prior to 2009, the Super Six was played at Birmingham’s Legion Field (1996-2008). In 2005, four games were moved to Regions Park in Hoover and played a week later after Hurricane Katrina passed over central Alabama.  

Class 1A (Thursday at 3 p.m.) - Sweet Water was the last defending champion to fall, losing 40-7 in last week’s Class 1A semifinal round to Linden. It was the Patriots’ (13-1) second win this season over Sweet Water. Linden tackles Marion County (13-1) tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the second game of the day. The Red Raiders’ version of the “Four Horsemen” – four running backs who have each accumulated over 1,000 yards rushing this season – will provide a final test to a Patriot defense that gave up only 5.4 points per game this season. Marion County, on the other hand, sits only 208 yards shy of Cordova’s state record (2008) of 6,734 yards rushing and averages 44.8 ppg. 

Class 2A (Friday at 3 p.m.) - Only this classification, the second smallest in Alabama, will feature two unbeaten teams in the final game of the year. The No. 3-ranked Tanner Rattlers (14-0) are making their first-ever trip to the title game after defeating Lineville a week ago. The loss will forever close the history book for the Aggies, as Lineville merges with Clay County next year. The Rattlers, which began their playoff run with a 31-13 win over Sand Rock, will face Elba (14-0). The Tigers survived a 49-41 semifinal shootout with American Christian last Friday, avenging a 2010 playoff loss. 

Class 3A (Thursday, 11 a.m.) - Clay County ended the 2011 season with only two losses against 12 wins, but the record – and the Panthers’ six state titles – will stand forever thanks to the pending consolidation with Lineville. Handley (14-0) was responsible for both of those losses, a 20-13 win in week four and a 13-6 victory in last week’s semifinal round. On Thursday, the Tigers will face Madison Academy (12-2), which routed Rogers last week 34-7. The week before, the Pirates ended No. 1-ranked Piedmont’s run at another state title, 28-21. 

Class 4A (Friday, 11 a.m.) - The Oneonta Redskins will try to imitate the 2009 Cherokee County Warriors Friday morning at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Two years ago, the Warriors went to Tuscaloosa and upset powerful Jackson to win the Class 4A state title. This time around the Aggies have a new head coach, first-year man Danny Powell. But Powell is no newcomer, having won four state titles in the past five years with the Class 2A Leroy Bears. The Redskins have won three titles over the years, but none have come under current head coach Don Jacobs, who directed his team to a win over Anniston in last week’s playoff game despite losing his previous three matchups against the Bulldogs. 

Class 5A (Thursday, 7 p.m.) - Hartselle is one of five undefeated teams in this year’s Super 6. The Tigers’ opponent will be the Vigor Wolves (12-2). Hartselle earned its trip to Tuscaloosa with a 16-14 win over Briarwood Christian in the north Alabama semifinal round. In the southern half of the state, Vigor got the best of previously unbeaten Hueytown and heralded quarterback Jameis “Jaboo” Winston, 20-7. Former Cherokee County and University of Alabama player Chad Gladden serves as the offensive line coach at Hartselle. 

Class 6A (Friday, 7 p.m.) - The Hoover vs. Prattville series is tied at 2-2, all-time, but won’t be after Friday night’s main event in the 2011 Super 6 State Championships. In the series, the Buccaneers have scored 84 points to Prattville’s 81. All four meetings have been for the state title, with the Bucs winning in 2004 and ’09, and the Lions in 2006 and ’08. This is Hoover’s fourth straight trip to the Class 6A championship game. Last year, the Bucs lost 7-6 to Daphne. 

The 2011 Super Six Championships will be telecast live by CBS 42 over a statewide network and also broadcast live statewide via the AHSAA Radio Network. For the first time, discounted tickets may be purchased online in advance at www.super6al.com or www.ahsaa.com.