Alabama High School Football: Public and Private Schools Split for Postseason Play

Separate Postseason Play:: Public and private schools will compete in separate playoff and championship brackets, though regular-season games between them will still be allowed.

Two Private School Classes:: The private school divisions will be divided into Class A and Class AA, determined by enrollment numbers.

Elimination of Multiplier:: Private schools will be classified based solely on enrollment, doing away with the previous enrollment multiplier and competitive balance system.

Restructuring Motivation:: AHSAA leadership cites the evolving landscape of education-based athletics and the need to expand opportunities for student-athletes as key drivers for the change.

For Public Schools: Focus on strengthening your programs within your classifications. This is an opportunity to shine against schools with similar resources and restrictions.

For Private Schools: Prepare for a more focused competition within your own divisions. Sharpen your strategies and aim to dominate within your class.

Student-Athletes: They will experience a different path to championships, potentially facing different opponents and competitive dynamics.

Coaches and Athletic Directors: They will need to adjust their strategies and recruitment approaches to align with the new structure.

Fans and Communities: Expect new rivalries and potentially more parity in championship games.

Q: Will public and private schools still play each other during the regular season?

Q: How will private schools be classified?

Q: When will these changes take effect?

The AHSAA is restructuring postseason play, separating public and private schools into different championship divisions.

This change aims to address concerns about competitive balance and create more equitable opportunities for student-athletes.

The new structure will take effect in the fall of 2026, with public and private schools still able to compete against each other during the regular season.