With just over two weeks remaining before regular-season football games are played across the state, the Alabama Sports Writers Association released its preseason rankings and recognized five teams from Baldwin County. Two teams were ranked and three more received votes from ASWA representatives.

Both Spanish Fort (Class 6A) and Gulf Shores (Class 5A) were ranked No. 9 in their respective classifications. The Toros (7-4 last year) received 32 total poll points and the Dolphins (11-2) garnered 49.

The other teams receiving votes but remained outside of the top 10 came from the opposite end of the classifications where the Foley Lions and Fairhope Pirates received votes in the Class 7A poll and the Snook Christian Eagles received votes in the Alabama Independent School Association poll.

Foley (7-4) earned eight voters’ approval and Fairhope (8-3) received one vote in the large-school rankings and Snook Christian (1-10) garnered two votes in the independent rankings.

All seven of last year’s AHSAA state champions open their seasons as the top-ranked team in their respective classification: Thompson (Class 7A), Saraland (Class 6A), Ramsay (Class 5A), Andalusia (Class 4A), St. James (Class 3A), Fyffe (Class 2A) and Leroy (Class 1A). On the AISA circuit, Class AAA runner-up Glenwood edged Class AA champion Patrician Academy for the No. 1 spot by only four votes.

On the local docket, the Eagles in the AISA will be the first from Baldwin County to start their regular season on Aug. 18 at home against Cornerstone Christian. The Fairhope-Spanish Fort rivalry contest is scheduled for the following Thursday, Aug. 24, when Gulf Shores is also set to open its season at home against St. Michael Catholic. Foley is scheduled to kick off against Prattville at home on Friday, Aug. 25.