According to the Associated Press preseason high school football poll, Elizabethton was ranked seventh in 3A ball, while Hampton was ranked eighth in 2A and Cloudland was placed in tenth in 1A.

Alcoa took the top spot in 3A ahead of CPA at second and Liberty Magney at third. In 2A, Trezevant was ranked in first, while Marion County took second and Boyd Buchanan was ranked in third. Leading the pack in 1A was Nashville Christian School, followed by Dresden and Union City.

This Friday, the Highlanders will travel to Northview Academy, while Hampton hosts Avery County. Next week, the Cyclones will host Science Hill to open their season.