Unbeaten Mars Hill Bible among reigning champions in state football playoffs

FLORENCE — Reigning Class 3A football champion Mars Hill Bible is among the seven defending state champions set to begin the 60^th AHSAA State Football Playoffs this week.

The unbeaten Panthers (10-0) host Whitesburg Christian (5-5) to open their title defense.

They are also among four other area schools carrying unbeaten records into the postseason – 1A Appalachian (10-0); 3A Piedmont (10-0); 4A West Morgan (10-0); and 6A Muscle Shoals (9-0).

Muscle Shoals kicks off the postseason slate Thursday when Mae Jemison (6-3) visits for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Here are the first round pairings of North Alabama schools.

CLASS 1A

• Ragland (5-5) at Addison (9-1)
• Shoals Christian (4-5) at Appalachian (10-0)
• Shoals Christian (4-5) at Appalachian (10-0)
• Spring Garden (6-4) at Hackleburg (7-3)

CLASS 2A

• Tanner (3-7) at Pisgah (8-2)
• Sand Rock (3-7) at Red Bay (8-2)
• North Sand Mountain (8-2) at Lexington (7-3)
• Winston County (5-5) at Pleasant Valley (9-1)

CLASS 3A

• Whitesburg Christian (5-5) at Mars Hill Bible (10-0)
• Rogers (5-5) at Geraldine (9-1)
• Lauderdale County (7-3) at Fyffe (7-3)
• Collinsville (8-2) at Colbert County (7-3)

CLASS 4A

• Randolph (5-4) at West Morgan (10-0)
• Brooks (7-3) atPlainview (10-0)
• Hatton (7-3) at Madison Academy (8-2)
• North Jackson (7-3) at Deshler (9-1)

CLASS 5A

• Arab (4-6) at Fairview (10-0)
• West Point (5-5) at Scottsboro (6-4)
• Priceville (7-3) at Guntersville (9-1)
• Boaz (8-2) at Russellville (6-4)

CLASS 6A

• Mae Jemison (6-3) at Muscle Shoals (9-0), Thursday
• Athens (6-4) at Fort Payne (9-1)
• Jasper (8-2) at Gadsden City (7-3)
• Buckhorn (7-3) at Hartselle (9-1)

CLASS 7A

• Daphne (8-2) at Sparkman (5-5)
• Florence (6-4) at Baker (8-2)
• Austin (6-4)  at Mary Montgomery (9-1)
• Fairhope (6-3) at James Clemens (5-5)