This is an opinion piece.

The AHSAA football playoffs started Thursday night, so I’m a little late on this.

Still, I’m required by contract (not really) to provide my state title game predictions and, ultimately, the state champions.

My buddy Randy Kennedy and I did this on radio earlier this week, but I needed to have it in writing so he can’t argue in December when I get more correct than he does.

This year, the Super 7 will be at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 6-8.

An interesting question for another day is: Will this be the final Super 7 in T-Town? With the college football playoff expanding next year, I think the future is cloudy for the high school championships at both Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and Bryant-Denny Stadium.

But that’s not a debate for the present.

Here are my official, rock solid Super 7 predictions for 2023.

CLASS 1A: Sweet Water vs. Coosa Christian

Sweet Water is 8-1 with the only loss coming against Class 4A Thomasville (26-13) early in the season. The Bulldogs have won 11 previous state titles, including seven in the last 20 years. Coosa is a bit of a controversial pick I guess. The Conquerors had to forfeit four games early in the season for a violation of the AHSAA transfer rule, but they’ve won five straight since and made the semis last year.

Winner: Sweet Water

CLASS 2A: B.B. Comer vs. Fyffe

This would be a rematch from 2022, a game Fyffe won 40-28 in Auburn. Paul Benefield’s Red Devils enter the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak after falling in the opener to Geraldine. B.B. Comer is 10-0 and finished No. 1 in the final ASWA prep rankings. The game also would feature two of the better running backs in the state in Fyffe’s Logan Anderson and B.B. Comer’s Kamore Harris.

Winner: Fyffe

CLASS 3A: Mobile Christian vs. Madison Academy

An all-private school Class 3A final. Despite losing some high-profile transfers in the off-season, Ronnie Cottrell has his best team at Mobile Christian. The Leopards are 10-0 and have outscored the competition an amazing 424-56. Madison Academy also is 10-0 and has outscored its competition 530-87. One hurdle here is the Mustangs’ probable second-round matchup against Mars Hill.

Winner: Mobile Christian

CLASS 4A: Montgomery Catholic vs. Cherokee County

It just feels like Montgomery Catholic’s time. Kirk Johnson is 36-2 in three years as the Knights’ head coach with the only losses coming in the state semifinals in 2021 and 2022. This year’s team, with Troy commit Caleb McCreary at QB, is outscoring the competition 435-32. Cherokee County finished as the runner-up to Andalusia a year ago. The Warriors have All-State running back Jacob Cornejo to carry them back to the final.

Winner: Montgomery Catholic

CLASS 5A: Central-Clay County vs. Pleasant Grove

This was probably the most difficult pick. The 5A bracket is deep in the North and the South, but it’s hard to go against Central-Clay’s Danny Horn or Pleasant Grove’s Darrell LeBeaux. Horn has won eight state titles, including two in his latest run at Central-Clay. Although, a key injury to star RB Ladamion Boyd (broken fibula) is a concern as the postseason opens. LeBeaux hasn’t won one yet but has been to three finals and one semifinal in his six years at the school. The Spartans are already on their way, having beaten Lawrence County 49-17 on Thursday in Round 1.

Winner: Central-Clay County

CLASS 6A: Clay-Chalkville vs. Saraland

It’s the matchup most of the state wants to see: No. 1 Saraland, the reigning state champs, against No. 2 Clay-Chalkville, the 2021 champs. I think we will indeed get to see it, but there are some hurdles along the way. Saraland likely would have to face an undefeated Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa team in the quarterfinals and could have a rematch against rival Spanish Fort in the semis. Last year’s runner-up, Mountain Brook, already is waiting for Clay-Chalkville in the second round. Parker could loom in the semis.

Winner: Saraland

CLASS 7A: Thompson vs. Central-Phenix City

Thompson hasn’t been quite as dominant this year as it was in its four previous state title runs, but the Warriors are still the Warriors and Mark Freeman is still the coach. If Trent Seaborn’s 5 TDs on Thursday night are any indication, Thompson is more than ready for another run. Patrick Nix likely has the best team he’s coached at Phenix City. The Red Devils have played one close game – a 28-18 win over Opelika on Sept. 15. QB Andrew Alford and WR Cam Coleman are tough to stop.

Winner: Thompson (Everything tells me Phenix City, but I’ve picked against Mark Freeman too many times and been wrong most of them).

Here are Randy Kennedy’s picks should you want to compare:

1A: Leroy over Wadley

2A: Highland Home over Fyffe

3A: Mobile Christian over Madison Academy

4A: Montgomery Catholic over Cherokee County

5A: Central-Clay County over Pleasant Grove

6A: Saraland over Clay-Chalkville

7A: Central-Phenix City over Thompson

There you go. Should be a fun run to Tuscaloosa.

Shameless plug: You can hear myself and Randy each Tuesday and Wednesday on the Randy Kennedy Show on Sports Talk 99.5 FM and the free IHeart Radio App.

The question everyone wants to know

The hottest topic around the state the last several weeks hasn’t been the high school football playoffs.

Not exclusively anyway.

I get more phone calls, texts and emails from all over the state asking the same question or some form of it: “What is up with Gulf Shores?”

It’s a good question. I’m not sure who knows the answer.

What we do know is that the school has been under AHSAA investigation after another school turned them in several weeks ago for alleged violations. The Dolphins are undefeated and No. 1 in Class 5A heading into tonight’s Round 1 playoff game against Beauregard. It’s not the first time Gulf Shores has been investigated in the past three years, but there is certainly more ongoing discussion this time around.

There was some doubt as to whether at least one key player would participate in last week’s regular-season finale against B.C. Rain. He did. There also has been doubt about whether Gulf Shores could be taken out of the playoffs all together if the AHSAA finds it in violation of a rule or rules.

In a text exchange Thursday, Gulf Shores attorney Nash Campbell told me – after he talked to AHSAA attorneys – that the investigation is still ongoing. Where it leads or when it is finished, no one seems to know.

I realize the AHSAA must do its due diligence in any investigation, but I’m hoping this one ends soon – no matter what the ultimate verdict is. It’s not fair to any of the teams in the 5A bracket – Gulf Shores included – for the uncertainty to continue much longer.

Signed, sealed, delivered

Student-athletes in multiple sports across the state (football excluded) signed their national letters of intent this week to play their sports in college.

Two high-profile, former Alabama basketball players also signed.

Reigning Alabama Mr. Basketball Labaron Philon signed with Kansas. Philon transferred in the offseason from Baker High in Mobile to Link Academy in Missouri. Chase McCarty, a finalist for 4A player of the year last spring, signed with Houston. McCarty transferred after the season from Westminster Christian to IMG Academy in Florida.

Thought for the Week

“In every high and stormy gale, my Anchor holds within the veil.” – Cornerstone, Hillsong Worship.

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.