Foley’s Bryan Moore on Class 6A balance: Birmingham, Central Alabama ‘10 years ahead’
What would it take for Class 6A teams in Mobile and Huntsville to catch up with the current powers in Birmingham and the Auburn/Opelika area?
Olivia Bennett 
Bryan Moore is no stranger to the high-stakes environment of Alabama’s largest classification. Last December, he led his Opelika squad into the 7A state championship game against powerhouse Thompson, adding to a career spent battling the state's elite programs. Now, he faces a new mission: elevating the Foley Lions.
Building a Foundation in Foley
In January, Foley hired Moore to take the helm, tasking him with transforming the program into a contender in the newly structured Class 6A. At the Baldwin County HS Football Media Day, Moore expressed genuine optimism about the long-term vision in Foley, noting, "I believe in it wholeheartedly."
Closing the Gap
Moore acknowledges that the road to the top is challenging. Historically, the Birmingham and Central Alabama regions have dominated their counterparts in Mobile and Huntsville. Over the 12-year lifespan of the AHSAA's 7A division, McGill-Toolen's 2015 state title stood as the only championship victory for the Mobile/Huntsville areas. In contrast, programs like Thompson—which has secured six titles in the last seven years—have maintained a iron grip on the trophy.
According to Moore, the disparity comes down to infrastructure and resources. "It’s like the SEC vs. the Group of 5," Moore said. "You are pouring money into it. You have really good players—homegrown, baseline talent—mixed with tradition and resources." He estimates the Birmingham and Central Alabama powers are roughly "10 years ahead" in their development, though he emphasizes that the gap is not insurmountable.
New Opportunities in Class 6A
Foley enters this season looking for a spark; the team has not notched a playoff victory since 2014. However, the path to the postseason is wider this year. With Class 6A shifting to a 24-team playoff format, six schools from each region will now qualify for the postseason. Moore welcomes the change, stating, "It allows more kids to have more of an experience."
As he prepares for the season, Moore is encouraged by the coaching talent he has encountered within Region 1. He views the regional competition as a catalyst for growth, helping the Baldwin County and Mobile areas raise their level of play to match the established powers in Auburn, Opelika, and Central-Phenix City. Fans won't have to wait long to see the team in action, as Foley kicks off the season on August 21 at McGill-Toolen.
