24 mins. ago
It was no accident last year that all four of the state football semifinalists in Class 5A came from the same district.
That league, 2-5A, looks much the same as it did in 2025, with a couple of alterations. Chaparral has moved up from 4A and Alamogordo has dropped from 6A. Those two replace Santa Teresa and Lovington, who both are now 4A members for at least the next two seasons.
As always, the conversation begins (and frequently ends) with rivals Artesia and Roswell, who have met in each of the last three state **** le games. The Bulldogs came from behind to stun the Coyotes 25-24 in last November's final, and this fall, Artesia is chasing its 34th blue trophy.
"It's up to the rest of us to dethrone those two," Gadsden coach Dino Facio said.
Artesia graduated 35 seniors, and 21 starters, so the Bulldogs, who open against rival Carlsbad, are reloading. But they've got another 35 seniors this season.
#last #same #chaparral
That league, 2-5A, looks much the same as it did in 2025, with a couple of alterations. Chaparral has moved up from 4A and Alamogordo has dropped from 6A. Those two replace Santa Teresa and Lovington, who both are now 4A members for at least the next two seasons.
As always, the conversation begins (and frequently ends) with rivals Artesia and Roswell, who have met in each of the last three state **** le games. The Bulldogs came from behind to stun the Coyotes 25-24 in last November's final, and this fall, Artesia is chasing its 34th blue trophy.
"It's up to the rest of us to dethrone those two," Gadsden coach Dino Facio said.
Artesia graduated 35 seniors, and 21 starters, so the Bulldogs, who open against rival Carlsbad, are reloading. But they've got another 35 seniors this season.
#last #same #chaparral
4 days ago
Auburn football landed its first commitment for the 2028 recruiting cycle last Saturday when three-star quarterback Sam Sollie from Gadsden City High School announced his pledge to Auburn over SEC rivals Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Alabama.
Should Sollie sign with Auburn in December of 2027, he will become the first quarterback from Auburn's home state to sign with the Tigers since Bo Nix pledged to Auburn with the class of 2019. The fact is not lost on Sollie, who says he is honored to follow Nix's footsteps.
"It's a big deal. I think the last in-state guy who committed to Auburn was Bo Nix. It's a big deal," Sollie said (via Montgomery Advertiser). "I definitely look up to Bo Nix, looking at Cam Newton, Nick Marshall, and Jared Stidham. Just all those guys, I look at them like celebrities."
This fact begs the question... how often do in-state quarterbacks sign with Auburn? Several of Auburn's best-known quarterbacks in history were from Alabama, including Stan White, Patrick Nix, and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan.
However, Auburn's track record of signing in-state quarterbacks has slimmed since 2000, as only eight high school quarterbacks from Alabama have signed with Auburn since the turn of the millennium. It is also worth noting that three of those quarterbacks were on Auburn's depth chart for the Tigers' 2010 National Championship win, and only three in-state high school quarterbacks have signed with Auburn since.
#alabama
Should Sollie sign with Auburn in December of 2027, he will become the first quarterback from Auburn's home state to sign with the Tigers since Bo Nix pledged to Auburn with the class of 2019. The fact is not lost on Sollie, who says he is honored to follow Nix's footsteps.
"It's a big deal. I think the last in-state guy who committed to Auburn was Bo Nix. It's a big deal," Sollie said (via Montgomery Advertiser). "I definitely look up to Bo Nix, looking at Cam Newton, Nick Marshall, and Jared Stidham. Just all those guys, I look at them like celebrities."
This fact begs the question... how often do in-state quarterbacks sign with Auburn? Several of Auburn's best-known quarterbacks in history were from Alabama, including Stan White, Patrick Nix, and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan.
However, Auburn's track record of signing in-state quarterbacks has slimmed since 2000, as only eight high school quarterbacks from Alabama have signed with Auburn since the turn of the millennium. It is also worth noting that three of those quarterbacks were on Auburn's depth chart for the Tigers' 2010 National Championship win, and only three in-state high school quarterbacks have signed with Auburn since.
#alabama
7 days ago
Attention has turned to the 2028 recruiting cycle as many junior blue-chippers are working through their recruitments quickly. That's led to a slew of notable commitments, a majority of which have come from top quarterbacks.
This weekend, Ohio State landed Lawrence (Mass.) St. John's Prep five-star QB Christopher Vargas, the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 passer in the cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.
$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage
Vargas wasn't the only QB to come off the board on Saturday, as Gadsden City (Ala.) three-star Sam Sollie pledged to Auburn. Detroit Cass Tech four-star Donald Tabron II, the No. 3 QB in the cycle, also announced that he'll reveal his commitment later this month on Aug. 15.
Of the top 50 QB prospects in the cycle, 13 are now committed, as of Aug. 9. That number will continue to rise throughout the next few months, as these passers want to lock up their spot before all the dominoes fall.
#star #recruiting #ohio
This weekend, Ohio State landed Lawrence (Mass.) St. John's Prep five-star QB Christopher Vargas, the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 passer in the cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.
$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage
Vargas wasn't the only QB to come off the board on Saturday, as Gadsden City (Ala.) three-star Sam Sollie pledged to Auburn. Detroit Cass Tech four-star Donald Tabron II, the No. 3 QB in the cycle, also announced that he'll reveal his commitment later this month on Aug. 15.
Of the top 50 QB prospects in the cycle, 13 are now committed, as of Aug. 9. That number will continue to rise throughout the next few months, as these passers want to lock up their spot before all the dominoes fall.
#star #recruiting #ohio
8 days ago
Gadsden City football quarterback Sam Sollie has committed to Auburn ahead of his junior season.
The ******* ans quarterback announced his decision on Saturday, Aug. 8, during a ceremony at the school. Sollie moved to Gadsden City ahead of his sophomore year from Westbrook Christian. In 2025, as a first-year starter he passed for 1,294 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Sollie is a Class of 2028 recruit and stands at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Sollie is rated as the three-star prospect by 247Sports. He is ranked as the No. 44 quarterback in the class and the 21st-best player in Alabama.
Auburn won out from Sollie's top five of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee that he set on July 16th in an interview with The Gadsden Times. Sollie came out of his sophomore season with few offers but has since picked up offers from Kentucky, Tulane, Boston College, Arkansas and Missouri among others outside his top five.
"I love the coaches. I'm a big relationship guy. I love the facilities. I love all the campuses," Sollie said on July 16. "I'd be blessed to be at any of those places."
#gadsden #city #ahead
The ******* ans quarterback announced his decision on Saturday, Aug. 8, during a ceremony at the school. Sollie moved to Gadsden City ahead of his sophomore year from Westbrook Christian. In 2025, as a first-year starter he passed for 1,294 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Sollie is a Class of 2028 recruit and stands at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Sollie is rated as the three-star prospect by 247Sports. He is ranked as the No. 44 quarterback in the class and the 21st-best player in Alabama.
Auburn won out from Sollie's top five of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee that he set on July 16th in an interview with The Gadsden Times. Sollie came out of his sophomore season with few offers but has since picked up offers from Kentucky, Tulane, Boston College, Arkansas and Missouri among others outside his top five.
"I love the coaches. I'm a big relationship guy. I love the facilities. I love all the campuses," Sollie said on July 16. "I'd be blessed to be at any of those places."
#gadsden #city #ahead
18 days ago
Another ranking, and another list where the Chargers find themselves just outside the top 10.
ESPN recently ranked NFL teams based on their under-25 talent, and the Chargers came in at No. 11, narrowly missing out on a spot among the league's top young cores.
"The top young player for the Chargers is Alt, who is 23 years old and tasked with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Oronde Gadsden (both 23) performed well for the Chargers in 2025. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are all 24.
"On defense, the underrated slot cornerback Tarheeb Still is still just 24 years old, while edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu will turn 24 on Sept. 3. However, rookie first-rounder Mesidor does not qualify for this ranking, as he turned 25 in April."
The Chargers dropped one spot in the list compared to last year. Notable teams ahead of Los Angeles in this category are the Raiders, Browns and the Texans.
#teams #spot #espn
ESPN recently ranked NFL teams based on their under-25 talent, and the Chargers came in at No. 11, narrowly missing out on a spot among the league's top young cores.
"The top young player for the Chargers is Alt, who is 23 years old and tasked with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Oronde Gadsden (both 23) performed well for the Chargers in 2025. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are all 24.
"On defense, the underrated slot cornerback Tarheeb Still is still just 24 years old, while edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu will turn 24 on Sept. 3. However, rookie first-rounder Mesidor does not qualify for this ranking, as he turned 25 in April."
The Chargers dropped one spot in the list compared to last year. Notable teams ahead of Los Angeles in this category are the Raiders, Browns and the Texans.
#teams #spot #espn
2 months ago
Florida State recently got its first commitment in the 2028 recruiting class, and they're looking for another. Per his social media, three-star quarterback Sam Sollie announced his scholarship offer from the Seminoles.
"Grateful to receive an offer from Florida State!," Sollie wrote.
Sollie has around 10 offers in total, with the majority coming from SEC schools. The Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Mississippi State Bulldogs have also offered the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder.
As a sophomore, Sollie appeared in 12 games for Gadsden City High School. He finished with 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns to only one interception. Sollie added another score on the ground.
Rivals' industry rankings have Sollie listed as the No. 691 recruit and the No. 77 quarterback in the nation. In the state of Alabama, he's the No. 20 prospect.
"Grateful to receive an offer from Florida State!," Sollie wrote.
Sollie has around 10 offers in total, with the majority coming from SEC schools. The Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Mississippi State Bulldogs have also offered the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder.
As a sophomore, Sollie appeared in 12 games for Gadsden City High School. He finished with 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns to only one interception. Sollie added another score on the ground.
Rivals' industry rankings have Sollie listed as the No. 691 recruit and the No. 77 quarterback in the nation. In the state of Alabama, he's the No. 20 prospect.
2 months ago
It's time to vote for the fan choice Gadsden area High school golfer of the year.
The Gadsden Times All-area team was announced Wednesday, June 10 with Hokes Bluff's Makayla Bearden earning the top girls honor and Fort Payne's JP Groat earning the top boys honor Now we are turning the vote over to you.
The nominees are coming from the all area nominations from around Northeast Alabama. There are 38 nominees from across the area.
The poll expires Monday, May 22 at noon CT. You can vote once a day.
The Gadsden Times All-area team was announced Wednesday, June 10 with Hokes Bluff's Makayla Bearden earning the top girls honor and Fort Payne's JP Groat earning the top boys honor Now we are turning the vote over to you.
The nominees are coming from the all area nominations from around Northeast Alabama. There are 38 nominees from across the area.
The poll expires Monday, May 22 at noon CT. You can vote once a day.
