​The Montgomery Advertiser conducted a reader poll to determine which new Montgomery-area high school football coach would accumulate the most wins during the 2026 season. The survey ran from July 12 to July 16, and readers were allowed to vote once per hour. The poll was presented by The Vance Law Firm as part of the Advertiser’s coverage.
Montgomery Catholic offensive coordinator Aubrey Blackwell emerged as the top choice, claiming the poll’s endorsement for the 2026 season. Blackwell is returning to lead the Knights after former coach Jonathan Chandler accepted the coaching position at Opelika. Blackwell’s hiring in 2015 marked a turning point for Montgomery Catholic’s program. After a 4-6 record in his initial season, Blackwell guided the team to five consecutive playoff appearances and culminated in a trip to the Class 3A championship game in 2020. In the poll, Blackwell secured a commanding 98 percent of the overall votes, well ahead of Saint James’ Hayden Stockton, who received 1 percent.
The poll results were shared in conjunction with Montgomery Catholic’s football coverage, including features and updates on spring practice and season preparations. The Montgomery Advertiser’s coverage highlighted how Blackwell’s return signaled continuity and expectation for continued success at Montgomery Catholic, where he previously helped reshapes the program and earned recognition for the team’s performance in recent years. The publication carried accompanying notes on the Knights’ spring football activities, including drills and practice sessions on the Catholic campus in Montgomery, Alabama, as reporters documented the early-season momentum.
Jaeden Day, a writer for the Montgomery Advertiser who covers high school sports, Alabama State football, and Auburn recruiting, contributed to this article. Day is reachable on X (formerly Twitter) at @dayjaeden12, and via email at JDay@montgome.gannett.com. This feature initially appeared under the Montgomery Advertiser’s banner, presenting the poll results from The Vance Law Firm as part of the publication’s SEO-optimized coverage of high school football coaching prospects for the 2026 season.