Continuing to provide in-depth coverage of high school baseball in the state of AL, we introduce a new series beginning this week ranking the Top-10 Sweet 16 series in the Class 7A-1A Playoffs. Below you will find important information regarding these series, including classification ranking, 2024 record, times and locations, our predictions, and last week's results for all 10 of these series. Our staff will continue to be out covering numerous games this weekend throughout the state, and look forward to seeing how these series play out.

While all series in the Class 7A-1A Playoffs are important in their own regard, we thought it would be fun and interesting to take a stab at ranking these series from No. 1-No. 10 heading into this weekend. If you would like to find out more about every series in the Sweet 16, give a listen to Episode 15 of our podcast for full previews and predictions for this weekend's matchups across all seven classifications.

 

+ No. 1: 1A No. 3 Florala @ 1A No. 1 Millry

Fri., Apr. 26, 4:30 & 7:00 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 27, 12 p.m.) @ Millry HS (Millry, AL)

+ Florala Wildcats

Classification Ranking: Class 1A, No. 3
2023 Record: 20-1
1st Round Result: Defeated Calhoun (13-0, 12-0)

+ Millry Wildcats

Classification Ranking: Class 1A, No. 1
2023 Record: 24-4
1st Round Result: Defeated Maplesville (9-4, 5-6, 5-1)

+ It doesn't get much bigger than a No. 1 facing a No. 3 early in the playoffs, which explains why this matchup is No. 1 on our list. Both of these teams have been ranked inside the top-5 in Class 1A for the entirety of the season, and it's the only series in the playoffs this week featuring two teams ranked inside the top-3. For Millry, the Wildcats have played consistent baseball throughout the season and even started the season with a 19-0 record before losing a two-of-three series to Leroy. They would go on to finish as the runner-up in the area, but there's no denying the success and body of work the Wildcats have built throughout the season. They're led by multiple players who contribute heavily, but most notabely C Caden Welford (2026), 3B Joseph Warrick (2024), SS/RHP Lawson Whigham (2025), and OF/RHP Hisun Marlowe (2025), all of which anchor the heart of the order and contribute some on the mound. Florala comes into this matchup while also dominating the regular season accumulating over 20 wins on the season with their lone loss coming to an out-of-state opponent in Florida. We've alluded to it on our podcasts, but their strength seems to be their frontline arms who have the ability to shut down opposing offenses. They can also swing it as well, with middle-of-the-order hitters like C/RHP Cody Walsh (Lurleen B. Wallace CC, 2024), OF/LHP Easton Walsh (2026), C/RHP Dalton Jackson (2025), and SS/RHP Noah Bryan (2027) providing a slew of production both at the plate and on the mound this season. Both of these teams have consistently been the cream of the crop in Class 1A this spring, but one will be going home after this three-game series with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line this weekend. 

Austin's Pick: Florala
David's Pick: Florala