Sulligent Blue Devils
Head Coach: Brian Gunnels (fourth season) Career Record: 8 seasons, (40-50) At Sulligent: 3 seasons, (24-13) Stadium: Brown Stadium 2026 Enrollment:  136 Rank:  327th in the AHSAA, 12th in Class 1A

History

Overall Record:   506-474-38   (52.0%) Last 25 years:   161-127   (56.0%)  (Rank: 122nd in the AHSAA, 18th in Class 1A) Since 2010:   102-81  (55.7%)  (Rank: 135th in the AHSAA, 22nd in Class 1A) Last Playoff Appearance:   2025 Last Region Championship:   2017 Last Winning Season:   2025 Last Losing Season:   2020

2025

Class:  2A              Region:   5 Record:  6-5 Region Record:   4-2, (third) Playoff Record:   First round loss to Southeastern by a score of 26-8. Final ASWA Poll:   Not Ranked Scoring:  260 (23.6) Defense:  305 (27.7)

2026

Class: 1A              Region:   5 Strength of Schedule: 66-47 (58%) (64th in the AHSAA, 8th in Class 1A) Region Strength:  43-35 (55%) Non-Region Strength:  23-12 (66%)

2025 Results   8/22   vs. Marion County  (1A)   22-14   W    8/29   @ Winfield  (3A)   6-43   L    9/5   @ Isabella  (2A)  *  30-21   W    9/12   vs. Greene County  (2A)  *  32-14   W    9/19   @ Vincent  (2A)  *  8-34   L    9/26   vs. Hamilton  (4A)   6-55   L    10/3   vs. Lamar County  (2A)  *  40-8   W    10/10    OPEN    10/17   @ Tuscaloosa Academy  (2A)  *  26-48   L    10/24   vs. Aliceville  (2A)  *  40-22   W    10/30   @ South Lamar  (1A)   42-20   W    Playoffs   11/6   @ Southeastern    8-26   L

2026 Schedule   8/21   @ Tuscaloosa Academy  (A)         8/28   vs. Hamilton  (4A)         9/4   vs. South Lamar  (1A)  *        9/11   vs. Marion County  (1A)  *        9/18   @ Berry Fayette  (1A)  *        9/25    OPEN    10/2   vs. Hubbertville  (1A)  *        10/9   @ Pickens County  (1A)  *        10/16   @ Lynn  (1A)  *        10/23   vs. Brilliant  (1A)  *        10/30   @ Lamar County  (2A)

Class  1A Region  5 Team 2025 Record Region Scoring                             Hubbertville (1A) 12-1 7-0 651-232 Berry Fayette (1A) 9-3 5-2 403-328 Marion County (1A) 9-4 5-2 450-330 Sulligent (2A) 6-5 4-2 260-305 South Lamar (1A) 4-7 4-3 278-398 Lynn (1A) 4-6 4-3 254-271 Pickens County (1A) 2-7 2-5 164-322 Brilliant (1A) 3-7 1-6 115-419

2026 Preview

Sulligent completed the 2025 season with a 6-5 record. With their 4-2 region record and a third place finish in Class 2A region five, the Blue Devils earned a spot in the playoffs in 2025. Sulligent's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Southeastern by a score of 26-8.        Since 2010, Sulligent has gone a combined 102-81. Their 55.7% winning percentage ranks 22nd in Class 1A over the past sixteen seasons.        Over the past 25 seasons, Sulligent has managed to compile a record of 161-127. Their 56.0% winning percentage ranks 18th in Class 1A and 122nd in the AHSAA. Head Coach:        The Blue Devils are led by head coach Brian Gunnels who is entering his fourth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 24-13 over the past three seasons at Sulligent. Under his direction the Blue Devils have qualified for the playoffs a total of three times. They have not won a region crown with Coach Gunnels. Over the course of his career, Coach Gunnels' teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of four times . Season Outlook:        The Sulligent Blue Devils will play in Class 1A region five during the 2026 season.        The Blue Devils have one of the toughest overall schedules in Class 1A. Their opponents had a combined record of 66-47 last season. That ranks 8th in Class 1A and 64th in the AHSAA.               Johnwil Spruiel rushed for 1,514 yards and 19 TDs and will return for his Senior season.     The Blue Devils have a good shot at one of the last two playoff slots in region five this season.

Players to Watch in 2026:
  Offense:  (7) - QB JohnWil Spruiel, RB Quentin Roberts, TE Saige Coleman, RB Keaton Otts, OL BT Bennett, OL Sage Guyton, OL Braylon Jordan

  Defense:  (7) - S JohnWil Spruiel, S Quentin Roberts, LB Sage Guyton, DE Saige Coleman, DE Braylon Jordan, OLB Keaton Otts, DT Kaden Ives

  Newcomers:  LB Paxton Gunnels

The Coach had this to say:
      Moving down to Class 1A gives us an opportunity to compete in a new region and renew some rivalries against teams we haven't played in a long time. We're excited about the challenge that lies ahead and the chance to see some different competition each week.

Our success this season will be built on leadership, accountability, and discipline. Those values have to be the foundation of everything we do-from offseason workouts to Friday nights. If our players continue to lead by example, hold each other accountable, and play with discipline, we'll put ourselves in position to be successful. We're looking forward to watching this team grow together and compete every week.

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Season Opener:
       The Blue Devils open the 2026 season on the road against non-region opponent Tuscaloosa Academy on Friday, August 21 at Knights Stadium. Last year the Tuscaloosa Academy Knights finished with an overall record of 9-4 and in first place in Class 2A region five. The Knights lost in the quarter-finals round of the Class 2A playoffs to Coosa Christian by a score of 17-0.

       Sulligent and Tuscaloosa Academy have met a total of 6 times on the football field. The Blue Devils have a 1-5-0 record against the Knights. They last met in 2025 with Tuscaloosa Academy winning by a score of 48-26.