Most area prep football rivalries still active

Despite the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s recent decision to split public and private schools when crowning state champions, the majority of local prep football rivalries remain intact. The AHSAA announced the separation several weeks ago, prompting speculation that long-standing matchups between public and private institutions might disappear from regular-season schedules. Instead, the association elected to keep the two classifications distinct only for postseason purposes, leaving non-playoff contests unaffected. Public and private schools are still allowed to schedule one another, ensuring that traditional neighborhood showdowns and decades-old series will continue under Friday night lights across the region.