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The 2010 Alabama High School Athletic Association football playoffs are about to begin and the Alabama Sports Writers Association has issued its final regular season rankings.  As was the case a week ago, some shuffling occurred.

In Class 1A, top ten teams Sweet Water (No. 2), Brantley (No. 6), Addison (No. 7) and Collinsville (No. 8) all lost to teams outside their normal classifications. For former top-rated Brantley, last week’s loss was their second in a row. Collinsville lost its ranking – and a shot at a perfect regular season – by falling to Ragland, 37-0. The Panthers (9-1) will entertain Shoals Christian (5-5) Friday night.

Cedar Bluff cruised to a big 42-9 win over Class 2A Fultondale. The Tigers (8-2) will play seventh-ranked Hackleburg (8-2) at Bruce Field Friday night. Gaylesville (6-4) travels to meet tenth-ranked Addison.  Gaston has a tall order of the week as the Bulldogs visit No. 5 R.A. Hubbard (9-1).   

In Class 2A, No. 4 Westbrook Christian was idle in week ten. Meanwhile, seventh-ranked Fyffe (9-1) finished off Class 3A Plainview, 22-13, and Ider (7-3) dropped from the top ten after losing to Sylvania, 28-14. Cottonwood upset the top-ranked Elba Tigers, 35-28, and hopped into the No. 2 spot.  Leroy took advantage of the Tigers’ loss to take over at No. 1.

In Class 3A, the poll barely moved as most everyone held tight. The exception was Madison Academy. The Mustangs were set back two spots by Class 4A West Limestone, 35-32. Fifth-ranked Piedmont rolled over defending Class 4A state champion Cherokee County, 42-9.  The Bulldogs (9-1), last year’s winner in Class 3A, open the playoffs with Winston County (3-7) at home. The Glencoe Yellow Jackets (9-1) are half a stride behind the Bulldogs in the polls at No. 6 and host the Winfield Pirates in round one.

The Class 4A poll received a touch-up as three ranked teams, Bibb County, Deshler, and Anniston were defeated by opponents from Class 5A.  No. 10 Fayette County was upset by 3A Hamilton. The Cherokee County Warriors (5-5) travel to Tuscumbia to face Deshler (8-2).        

The seas remained relatively calm in Class 5A, with only Demopolis getting tossed as a result of a loss to 6A Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.  Sixth-ranked Fort Payne earned the distinction of the only 5A team to survive the regular season with an untarnished record.  The Wildcats welcome J.O. Johnson this Friday.

The Class 6A Gadsden City Titans were bounced from the top ten after an upset loss, 13-3, to the Generals from Lee-Montgomery. The Titans (7-3) hope to rebound against Huntsville as they open the 2010 playoffs.  Top-ranked Hoover was taken to the wire before finishing off third-ranked Bob Jones, 20-13.