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A history of greatness
There have been 263 AHSAA state football champions since the start of the playoffs in 1966.
Which of those teams represent the absolute top tier?
We came up with a list of 10 of the best squads to walk onto an Alabama gridiron. Narrowing down the list of candidates was no easy task. Do you agree with the teams we settled on? Let us know in the comments section.
Each school was limited to one team.
Photo: Hoover coach Rush Propst reacts to a call during the Class 6A state championship game against Prattville at Legion Field in Birmingham on Dec. 9, 2004. (Alexander Cohn/AL.com file photo)
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10. 2004 Demopolis (15-0)
Demopoliseclipsed the 60-point mark seven times and scored an AHSAA single-season record 761 points. Quarterback Devin Goodwin was named to the ASWA Super 12 team after helping lead the Tigers to a Class 4A title. Oh, and the defense wasn't shabby, recording eight shutouts and allowing just 91 points.
Photo: Demopolis' Vincent Jackson celebrate after winning the Class 4A state title by defeating Deshler on Dec. 11, 2004 at the Hoover Met. (Jan-Michael Stump/AL.com file photo)
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9. 1982 Hazlewood (13-0)
Future Alabama running back Kerry Goode was named Class 2A Player of the Year after the Golden Bears outscored opponents 413-145. Hazlewood won the 2A title after capturing the 1A crown in 1981. The Golden Bears' closest call was a 16-12 victory over Gordo in the semifinals.
Photo: In this 2001 photo, Hazlewood high school quarterback Clarence Jones poses with state championship rings that the school has won. Hazlewood has won state championships in 1970, 1975, 1981, 1982,1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 2000. (Carucha L. Meuse/AL.com file photo)
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8. 1972 Colbert County (13-0)
Future Alabama star and NFL Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome was a junior on this team, which won its three playoff games by a combined score of 140-33.Indians receiver/end Thad Flanagan was named Class 3A Lineman of the Year.
Photo: Ozzie Newsome during his days at Alabama.
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7. 1998 Blount (13-0)
Blount won its fifth title of the 1990s and finished ranked No. 11 in the nation by USA Today. Class 5A Back of the Year Deandre Green and Lineman of the Year DeMarco McNeil – who also won Mr. Football -- both went on to play at Auburn. The Leopards averaged 29 points a game and gave up 10.
Photo: Blount receiver Deandre Green brings in a pass during practice for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game on June 14, 1999. (Mary Hattler/AL.com file photo)
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6. 1996 Clay County (15-0)
Clay County set an AHSAA record with 11 shutouts, including the Class 2A state championship game against archrival Lineville. The Panthers outscored opponents 613-42 while winning their third consecutive state title. Defensive back Stanford Simmons was a Parade All-American and signed with Auburn. Defensive lineman Rajohn Myles was named 2A Player of the Year and signed with UAB.
Photo: Clay County coach Danny Horn is seen during the 1997 season. (Hal Yeager/AL.com file photo)
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5. 2007 Prattville (15-0)
Bill Clark's second straight Class 6A state championship team finished ranked No. 2 in the country by USA Today. The Lions scored 571 points and allowed just 117.Prattville shut out its last two opponents, beating McGill-Toolen 21-0 in the semifinals and Spain Park 14-0 in the championship game. Running back Justin Albert was named All-American by PrepNation.
Photo: Prattville quarterback Casey Weston throws behind the blocking of Jcha'Rome Harrison in the second quarter of the AHSAA Class 6A championship game at Legion Field in Birmingham on Dec. 8, 2007. (Mark Almond/AL.com file photo)
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4. 1986 Lee-Montgomery (15-0)
Running back Larry Ware was named Mr. Football and theGenerals finished ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today. Spence McCracken's team won its first 14 games by at least 11 points, then defeated Jess Lanier 13-7 for the 6A title.
Photo: Carver-Montgomery head coach Larry Ware is seen during a game against Rutherford (Fla.) on Sept. 5, 2003. (David Bundy/Montgomery Advertiser)
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3. 1973 Banks (13-0)
Led by future Alabama and NFL quarterback Jeff Rutledge, the Jets capped a perfect season by beating Grissom 21-0 in the Class 4A title game. Rutledge and company had some close calls along the way, edging Ensley 7-6 in an October game and Butler 8-6 in the state semifinals. The Jets outscored opponents 338-103.
Photo: Banks quarterback Jeff Rutledge on the sidelines during the legendary game against Woodlawn on Nov. 8, 1974 at Legion Field in Birmingham. (Charles Nesbitt/AL.com file photo)
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2. 2004 Hoover (15-0)
Hoover's opponents had a winning percentage of .631, highest among the 10 teams on this countdown. Mr. Football Jarod Bryant quarterbacked an offense that averaged 35.7 points. The defense was especially stingy in the playoffs, holding opponents to a combined 17 points over the final four rounds.
Photo: Hoover players celebrate after beating Prattville for the Class 6A state championship on Dec. 9, 2004 at Legion Field in Birmingham. (Alexander Cohn/AL.com file photo)
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1. 1988 Vigor (13-0)
This is the only team on the countdown that can boast a national title on its resume. The Wolves finished ranked No. 1 by ESPN and No. 2 by USA Today.Vigor outscored opponents 387-44 overall and 148-7 in the playoffs. No foe got closer than 14 points. Darrell "Lectron" Williams was named Mr. Football and five players went on to play professionally in the NFL or CFL.
Photo: Vigor quarterback Kelvin Simmons prepares to hand off against Lee-Montgomery during a Class 6A semifinal game on Nov. 25, 1988. (AL.com file photo)
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