The summer months are always filled with key questions about the next football season.

This summer is no different.

Our AL.com high school prediction panel was asked to weigh in on what the biggest question on their mind is heading into 2025?

They gave some interesting – and wide ranging – answers.

Thomas Ashworth, AL.com

Will Class 7A, Region 4 win a playoff game for the first time since 2019? There are a few teams in this region with some high playoff hopes, but it starts with breaking through and pulling off a playoff win. Which team will be the first to get a November victory?

Simone Eli, WKRG-TV

Will the AHSAA’s new Transfer Task Force result in any substantial changes? We actually may know more about this topic after next week’s All-Star Sports Week and coaches meetings. The AHSAA announced in April it would launch a task force to investigate non-compliant student-athlete transfers across the state. The group already has met once, and executive director Heath Harmon told AL.com in May that the Task Force will be “results oriented.”

Randy Kennedy, AL.com and IHeart Radio

Can anyone slow down Thompson in Class 7A? Mark Freeman’s Warriors have won five of the last six Class 7A state titles. They’ve played for the championship seven straight years. Also, will Class 6A Saraland look like the same juggernaut without three-year starter and 2024 Mr. Football, KJ Lacey? The Spartans have won 41 games in the last three years and been in the title game each year.

Gerhard Mathangani, WKRG-TV

Who wins Class 4A South? There should be plenty of contenders, led by reigning state champ Jackson. Philip Rivers’ emerging St. Michael team, which lost to the Aggies twice last year, can’t be counted out. Booker T. Washington, Orange Beach and Mobile Christian would also be contenders.

Ben Thomas, AL.com

Which coach ends the season with the most all-time victories? It’s a two-man race now between Central-Clay County’s Danny Horn and Fyffe’s Paul Benefield. Horn is the overall leader with 363 wins, passing now retired UMS-Wright head coach Terry Curtis last season. Benefield is three back at 360. The next closest active coach is Westbrook Christian’s Steve Smith with 294.

John Vella, AL.com

Can UMS be UMS again? The Bulldogs begin a new era with coach Sam Williams after finishing 6-7 last year even after a run to the quarterfinals. It marked the team’s first losing season since 2007 (also 6-7). Williams gets his first taste of the “Battle of Old Shell” vs. rival St. Paul’s on Aug. 22.

Dennis Victory, AL.com

Will continuing transfers spur AHSAA to act and, if so, what can be done? It’s out of control and all involved in high school football know it, but any solutions will be hard to implement.

COMING SATURDAY: The one game you can’t miss in 2025