​Oct. 6—The road to the 2026 high school football playoffs is heating up.With just four weeks remaining in the regular season, regional playoffs are beginning to take shape with some teams sitting in a good position and others fighting to get in.So with a month to go and only four playoff spots available in each region, here’s where each local team stands:—Class 5A, Region 7Top four: Florence (6-0, 4-0), Russellville (6-1, 3-1), Austin (3-3, 3-1), Muscle Shoals (2-3, 2-2)On the outside: Hartselle (3-3, 2-2), Athens (3-3, 2-2)Long shot: Decatur (1-6, 0-4), East Limestone (0-6, 0-4)Outlook: This region still has a long way to go with six teams vying for four playoff spots. Florence has wins over Russellville and Muscle Shoals. Austin is tied for second in the region and controls its own destiny with the chance to win the region by winning its final three region games against Hartselle, Florence and Russellville. Hartselle and Athens are battling for their playoff lives with games against Austin and Russellville this week, respectively, and then a matchup with each other next week.—Class 4A, Region 8Top four: Scottsboro (6-0, 4-0), Good Hope (5-1, 4-0), Cherokee County (3-3, 3-1), Guntersville (3-3, 3-2)On the outside: Fairview (4-2, 3-2), Brewer (2-5, 2-3)Long shot: Sardis (1-5, 1-3), Crossville (1-6, 0-5), Hayden (0-6, 0-4)Outlook: Scottsboro and Good Hope will meet in the final game on Oct. 30 in a matchup that will likely decide the region championship. Brewer’s two wins have been region wins, so the Patriots aren’t out of the race yet. However, with two of their final three games being against Scottsboro and Guntersville, they face an uphill climb.—Class 4A, Region 7Top four: Deshler (5-1, 4-0), Hamilton (5-1, 3-1), West Morgan (3-3, 3-1), Priceville (4-2, 2-2)On the outside: Brooks (4-3, 2-2)Long shot: Lawrence County (3-4, 1-3), Ardmore (2-4, 1-3), West Point (0-7, 0-4)Outlook: Deshler defeated West Morgan last week to take over first in the region and all but lock up the region title. West Morgan has Priceville this week, which has lost to Deshler and Hamilton the last two games by a combined 96-14. Should the Rebels win, it would set up a game with Hamilton that would decide the second and third seeds in the region. Priceville and Brooks will meet on Oct. 23 in a game that will probably decide the region’s last playoff spot.—Class 3A, Region 7Top four: Central Florence (5-1, 4-0), Rogers (5-1, 4-0), Lauderdale County (3-3, 3-1), Wilson (4-2, 3-1)On the outside: West Limestone (3-3, 2-2)Long shot: Clements (1-5, 0-4), Elkmont (1-5, 0-4), Colbert Heights (0-6, 0-4)Outlook: Central Florence sits at the top of the region while Rogers still has to play Lauderdale County and Wilson as well as Central. West Limestone is still in the race but the Wildcats have Wilson and Central Florence in their next two games.—Class 3A, Region 5Top four: Hatton (6-0, 4-0), East Lawrence (4-2, 3-1), Fayette County (4-2, 3-1), Curry (4-3, 2-2)On the outs