Last Tuesday, the Alabama Sportswriters Association released its annual preseason football poll. Perched at the top of their respective classifications are Hoover (6A), Hartselle (5A), Oneonta (4A), Leeds (3A), Elba (2A) and Marion County (1A).

For those teams it is best to keep in mind that very few teams make a wire-to-wire run and hoist the big blue trophy that awaits each state championship team. Just ask Daphne (6A), Briarwood Christian (5A), Thomasville (4A), Leeds (3A), LeRoy (2A) and Sweetwater (1A). Each of them started 2011 as the preseason ASWA No. 1, only to fall short.

Of the teams that did walk away from Tuscaloosa with the state championship trophy in 2011, all but one made their preseason start in the top four of their individual classifications. Not only did Marion County, the 1A state champion, start outside the top 10, but the Red Raiders did not get a singular vote from the preseason prognosticators. In fact, it was week five before Marion County entered the polls and from that point they never rose higher than eighth.

Turning to 2012, the Class 3A Piedmont Bulldogs and 1A Cedar Bluff Tigers are the only two local teams to garner top 10 slots.

The Bulldogs earned one first-place vote and fall in behind top-ranked Leeds and No. 2 Deshler. A quarterfinal playoff loss to Rogers last year ended Piedmont's season at 12-1. This year the Bulldogs will have to contend with dangerous region foes Weaver, Glencoe, Saks and Susan Moore. There is no let up in non-region games for Piedmont, either, as they will match up with Leeds and 4A Lincoln.

Piedmont begins the 2012 season at home against Class 4A Cherokee County.

In Class 1A Cedar Bluff begins at No. 8. The Tigers' quest for a state championship commences with a revamped Region 7. The boys from the Bluff will have to contend with defending region champion Collinsville as well as region newcomer Donoho. Gaylesville, Spring Garden and Valley Head are playoff contenders as well.

Cedar Bluff is scheduled to open the season at home against Gaylesville on Thursday, Aug. 30. But there are major renovations underway at Bruce Field and the game may have to be moved to Gaylesville if the work is still underway.

Collinsville received votes but came up short of cracking the top 10 poll.

Sand Rock received voter consideration in Class 2A. The Wildcats open on the road against 3A Pisgah on Friday, Aug. 31.

Among other local teams beginning the season on Aug. 31, Spring Garden’s season begins at home against Fayetteville; Gaston travels to Randolph County; Hokes Bluff visits Southside; and Gadsden City battles Florence at Braly Municipal Stadium. Fort Payne opens the season Aug. 30 at North Jackson.