Sept. 5, 2012

Fort Payne, Collinsville join Piedmont, Cedar Bluff in poll

By KURT DURYEA

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The Piedmont Bulldogs capitalized on a 45-21 victory over 4A Cherokee County, combined with a loss by former No. 2 Deshler, to slip into the runner-up spot behind Leeds in Class 3A. The Bulldogs received two first place votes from the Alabama Sports Writers Association as Piedmont’s Steve Smith notched his 150th career victory as a head coach.  

Cedar Bluff scored a 42-0 win over rival Gaylesville and held steady at No. 8 in Class 1A. The Tigers were joined in the Top 10 by Collinsville. The Panthers make their 2012 rankings debut at No. 10 after defeating Coosa Christian, 38-13. Spring Garden received voter consideration after a convincing 34-17 win against Fayetteville.  

Class 5A received a shake-up, as six preseason Top 10 teams suffered losses in week one. Fort Payne coupled those teams’ misfortunes with a 27-10 victory over former No. 5 North Jackson to grab the No. 10 position in this week’s rankings. Etowah occupies space outside the top 10 with other 5A hopefuls. The Blue Devils and Wildcats tangle this Friday night.  

Sand Rock remained in voter consideration in class 2A. The Wildcats earned a 31-19 road victory over 3A Pisgah. Sand Rock’s region foes Fyffe and North Sand Mountain are locking into the rankings at No. 5 and No. 10, respectively. 

Gadsden City used a last-second field goal to defeat Florence 30-28 last Friday. The Titans received consideration from voters but were 11 votes short of a Top 10 berth in class 6A.  

The complete poll with first-place votes and team record in parentheses:

 

Class 6A
1. Hoover (30) (1-0) 360
2. Clay-Chalkville (1-0) 266
3. Auburn (1-0) 225
4. McGill-Toolen (1-0) 205
5. Oxford (1-0) 152
6. Carver-Mont. (1-0) 148
7. Vestavia Hills (1-0) 110
8. Northridge (1-0) 79
9. Daphne (0-1) 43
10. Austin (1-0) 37
Others receiving votes: Gadsden City (1-0) 26, Fairhope (1-0) 12, Spain Park (0-1) 12, Hueytown (1-0) 9, Mountain Brook (1-0) 7, Huffman (1-0) 6, Northview (1-0) 4, Davidson (1-0) 3, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (0-1) 2, Thompson (1-0) 2, Central-Phenix City (1-0) 1, Huntsville (1-0) 1.

Class 5A
1. Hartselle (26) (1-0) 341
2. Muscle Shoals (1) (1-0) 257
3. Jackson (2) (1-0) 244
4. Eufaula (1-0) 170
5. Spanish Fort (1) (1-0) 129
6. Pinson Valley (0-1) 105
7. St. Paul’s (0-1) 94
8. Homewood (0-1) 80
9. Cullman (1-0) 87
10. Fort Payne (1-0) 67
Others receiving votes: Demopolis (1-0) 35, Russellville (1-0) 26, Etowah (1-0) 22, Vigor (0-1) 20, McAdory (1-0) 10, Briarwood Chr. (0-1) 8, Benjamin Russell (1-0) 6, Talladega (1-0) 4, Pleasant Grove (1-0) 3, Boaz (1-0) 1, Valley (0-1) 1.

Class 4A
1. Oneonta (30) (1-0) 360
2. Dadeville (1-0) 249
3. Thomasville (1-0) 223
4. Central-Clay Co. (1-0) 193
5. Beauregard (1-0) 186
6. UMS-Wright (0-1) 109
7. Anniston (1-0) 107
8. Handley (0-1) 87
9. N. Jackson (0-1) 58
10. Andalusia (1-0) 34
Others receiving votes: Brooks (1-0) 20, Fairview (1-0) 16, Bibb Co. (0-1) 15, Madison Co. (1-0) 15, Charles Henderson (1-0) 11, J.O. Johnson (1-0) 9, Tallassee (1-0) 8, Calera (1-0) 4, St. James (1-0) 3, Dora (1-0) 1, Elmore Co. (1-0) 1, Munford (1-0) 1.

Class 3A
1. Leeds (28) (1-0) 353
2. Piedmont (2) (1-0) 262
3. Lauderdale Co. (1-0) 195
4. T.R. Miller (1-0) 186
5. Deshler (0-1) 168
6. Hamilton (1-0) 130
7. Madison Acad. (0-1) 120
8. Bayside Acad. (0-1) 74
9. Gordo (1-0) 61
10. Abbeville (0-1) 50
Others receiving votes: Opp (1-0) 39, Midfield (0-1) 21, Greensboro (1-0) 15, Excel (1-0) 12, Pike Co. (1-0) 9, Sylvania (1-0) 5, Weaver (1-0) 5, Vinemont (1-0) 3, Brindlee Mountain (0-1) 1, W.S. Neal (1-0) 1.

Class 2A
1. Fultondale (22) (1-0) 333
2. Tanner (7) (1-0) 285
3. Washington Co. (1) (1-0) 235
4. Elba (0-1) 178
5. Fyffe (1-0) 176
6. Sweet Water (0-1) 137
7. Vincent (1-0) 127
8. G.W. Long (1-0) 101
9. Reeltown (0-1) 64
10. N. Sand Mountain (1-0) 32
Others receiving votes: Sheffield (0-1) 16, Walter Wellborn (1-0) 13, Ider (1-0) 6, Horseshoe Bend (1-0) 2, LaFayette (1-0) 2, Southern Choctaw (1-0) 2, Sand Rock (1-0) 1.

Class 1A
1. Marion Co. (27) (1-0) 351
2. Linden (3) (1-0) 277
3. Maplesville (1-0) 226
4. Ragland (0-0) 192
5. Brantley (1-0) 182
6. Pickens Co. (1-0) 166
7. R.A. Hubbard (1-0) 107
8. Cedar Bluff (1-0) 102
9. Lynn (1-0) 59
10. Collinsville (1-0) 23
Others receiving votes: Berry (0-1) 12, Parrish (1-0) 8, Florala (1-0) 3, Addison (0-1) 1, Spring Garden (1-0) 1.