New Divisions New Classics | Birmingham News

Birmingham AL News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 19, 2026 · 1m

High school football’s back with a seismic shift—public and private schools now split into separate divisions, creating clearer championship paths while still allowing cross-division play. The season ignites with a heavyweight clash: top-ranked Thompson vs. Central-Phenix, last year’s semifinalists with loaded rosters and top college recruits. Elsewhere, defending champs Clay-Chalkville face undefeated Creekside in a Georgia road test, while Vestavia Hills’ dual-threat QB Charlie Taaffe—29 TDs, 2K+ yards last season—could be the game-changer in a stacked slate of championship contenders…