The AHSAA came out with its new reclassification on Monday for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, and it has some big implications on some Tuscaloosa area teams.

Here is a look at which Tuscaloosa area teams got a good deal with the realignment, and others that came out not so lucky.

Hillcrest moving to Class 7A

Perhaps the biggest change that came from the realignment is that Hillcrest will be moving from Class 6A to Class 7A. The Patriots will be in 7A-Region 3 with the likes of in-county rival Tuscaloosa County, Thompson, Hewitt-Trussville, Hoover, Oak Mountain and Prattville. It will be a challenge for the two-time reigning 6A-Region 4 champions jumping into arguably the toughest region in the state, especially after losing 30 seniors from their 2024 senior class.

The move will also set up a match-up between Hillcrest and Tuscaloosa County. The two have competed 26 times in their history, with the most recent being in 2021 where Hillcrest won 35-10. However, now the two will definitely see each other on the field as they find themselves in the same region again for the first time since 2013, Tuscaloosa County's final season in Class 6A before it moved up to Class 7A.

STATEWIDE REALIGNMENT: Statewide 2024-2026 AHSAA classification realignments

TUSCALOOSA AREA REALIGNMENT: Where did Tuscaloosa area schools end up in the 2024-2026 AHSAA realignment?

Sipsey Valley and Northside moving to Class 5A

After a short Class 5A stint between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Sipsey Valley once again sees itself moving back up from Class 4A to Class 5A. As for Northside, it will be the Rams first time seeing themselves in Class 5A after being in Class 4A since 2014. Sipsey Valley will be making the jump from 4A-Region 3, while Northside will be making the jump from 4A-Region 5.

While both of these teams regularly saw each other during the regular season over the past few years, they will open their playing field to many new teams in their jump to 5A. One of those teams will be fellow Tuscaloosa area team Demopolis, the four-time reigning 5A-Region 3 champions. Sipsey Valley has faced Demopolis in 2020 and 2021, dropping both games, while Northside has never faced Demopolis.

Changes across Class 4A

After five seasons in 4A-Region 3 for ACA and four for Holt, the two see themselves move into 4A-Region 4. They will be in a region with Dora, Fairfield, Fultondale, Oak Grove, Pleasant Grove and Tarrant. It will be a change in competition for both teams moving out of their former region, but both have primarily seen their new region foes over the years.

In 4A-Region 5, Bibb County and West Blocton remain in the same region but see a change in competition as they will face Saint James, Booker T. Washington, Bullock County, Handley, Talladega and Tallassee. It will no doubt be a tough region, with Booker T. Washington and Saint James both making it to the fourth round of playoffs this season.

Fayette County will see itself move from 3A-Region 5 into 4A-Region 5. In its new region, it will be up against the likes of Cordova, Curry, Good Hope, Haleyville, Hamilton and J.B. Pennington. It won't be the Tigers first time in Class 4A, though, as they have moved up and down between Class 3A and 4A over the years. Fayette County has previously seen success at the Class 4A level, most recently winning 4A-Region 6 and 4A-Region 5 titles in 2017 and 2018.

Pickens Academy moves to AHSAA

While it was known Pickens Academy was making the jump from the AISA to the AHSAA, it was revealed yesterday who the Pirates will be up against. Pickens Academy will be in 1A-Region 3 with other Tuscaloosa area schools Linden, University Charter School and Holy Spirit, all of whom the Pirates have yet to face in their 53-year history. Also, in 1A-Region 3 is R.C. Hatch, Choctaw County and Francis Marion.

It will be interesting to see how Pickens Academy adjusts to AHSAA play. The program itself has seen tremendous success at the AISA level, winning the 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999 state championship titles.

PICKENS ACADEMY TO AHSAA: Pickens Academy to make jump from AISA to AHSAA in 2024

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Takeaways from the AHSAA reclassification for Tuscaloosa area schools