Alabama high school football: 5 Gadsden area teams that have surprised us at the midway point

Every year there's always at least one Alabama high school football team that comes out of nowhere and goes on a surprise run to start the season .

This year there's a few teams in the Gadsden area, highlighted by Hokes Bluff which has gotten off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2018. Sand Rock is the other team off to a fast start at 3-2 on the year. Two teams have surprised us for the wrong reason, getting off to slower starts than expected in 2024.

Here's a look at five Gadsden area teams that have surprised us at the 2024 AHSAA season midway point.

Hokes Bluff (4-0)

It's not that the talent level of the Eagles was doubted, the reason they are here is because there were questions on how well they would do in the first season of being back in Class 4A. So far, they have had little issue handling the increased size and speed. They started the season taking down Southside before beating Etowah to start region play. The Eagles have been the more physical team in each of their games, leading to a dominate run game.

Lesson learned, don't doubt Coach Rob-led teams.

Sand Rock (3-2)

A lot will be learned about the Wildcats these next two weeks when they take on Collinsville and then Pisgah, but they have already surpassed their 2023 win total. They are led by a strong backfield of quarterback Alec Ashley and running back Kane Robison, and could start making a push to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

They are one of four two-win teams in the region but lost to one of the teams with a 1-1 record.

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Fort Payne (2-2)

The Wildcats got off to a slow start to the season, falling to Scottsboro and Guntersville, and the offense was still slower than expected in a win over Southside. While they were expected to take the next step with plenty of returners, the slow start was a surprise.

A win over Mae Jemison last week saw the offense get back on track and could be the turning point they needed as they start to get healthy.

Ashville (1-3)

The Bulldogs picked up their first win, ending a 16-game losing streak, something that wasn't a surprise with the improvements they have made over the past two seasons. The Bulldogs have looked stronger on the field, holding their own with Springville before the win over Oneonta. Region play hasn't been as kind but they seem to be ahead of schedule.

West End (0-5)

The Patriots lost a lot of seniors that helped the program make back-to-back playoff appearances, but there was still an expectation they would contend in a rebuilt Class 2A region. They have gotten off to a slow start this year, one of two Gadsden area teams to not pick up a win so far. They were in games to start the year but have only scored 14 points over their past three games.

There is still time to turn the season around but the road will be tough.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Alabama high school football: 5 Gadsden area teams that have surprised us at the midway point