Ethan Crawford

The Class 6A Hillcrest Patriots had a successful 2020 season, the Patriots went 9-3 and finished second in Region 4 last year. The Patriots are led by rising junior quarterback Ethan Crawford. Crawford has started for Hillcrest for the past two seasons and will look to lead the Patriots deeper into the playoffs in 2021. The standout quarterback shared on his social media he received a scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee.

As Round 2 of the playoffs looms, only one of the teams, ACA, will be playing from home. Every other team will be traveling to every corner of the state. From Madison County and Decatur in north Alabama to Opelika in east Alabama, teams around the Druid City are fighting hard to keep their hopes alive for a state title game appearance in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

With their 31-21 victory over the McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets (7-3, 5-2) Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (9-2, 5-1) have secured a second-round matchup at No. 1 Opelika in the second round.

It was an absolute barn-burner at McAdory High School Friday night, as the Hillcrest Patriots (6-1, 3-1) edged the McAdory Yellowjackets (4-4, 3-1) by a score of 45-41.

Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (5-1, 2-1) took down the cross-town rival Northridge Jaguars (6-1, 3-1) 49-21.

The Hillcrest Patriots (4-0, 1-0) took on the Wetumpka Indians (2-2, 1-0) and escaped Hohenburg Field with a 35-30 victory on one of the wildest final plays you'll ever see.