Alabama high school football head coach gets suspended over improper conduct against future opponents: Reports

Enterprise High School coach Ben Blackmon has been handed a one-game suspension by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) for violating regulations during the 2024 football season. The suspension stems from Blackmon and an assistant coach being caught improperly recording footage of a future opponent's game, as first reported by News4 and WKRG.

A video showed Blackmon and his assistant filming Opelika High School’s game against Dothan, which violates AHSAA rules.

According to the AHSAA, schools are prohibited from filming any games in which they are not directly involved unless they obtain consent from both participating teams. Blackmon acknowledged the ruling, stating,

“We received a letter stating that I am suspended for Friday’s game. I accept the ruling and will not appeal,” Blackmon said. “I did not direct our young coach to record that video, but I didn’t stop the action either. I’ve scouted games thousands of times… there’s never been video taken. This is the first time and the last time.”

Blackmon’s suspension applies to Enterprise’s upcoming regional matchup against Opelika. The Wildcats are currently 4-2 this season, with wins against teams like Andalusia, Pike Road, Dothan and Carver. Their only two losses were to top-ranked Auburn and fourth-ranked Phenix City Central.

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Alabama high schools prepare for top-15 clash as playoff push intensifies

Ranked No. 12 in Alabama, Enterprise High School is heading into a critical period of the 2024 season as it pushes for a playoff spot. The Wildcats’ defense, ranked No. 10 in the state, is anchored by a trio of future Power 4 athletes.

Leading the defensive charge is four-star safety Eric Winters, who has committed to Auburn. Winters is ranked as the No. 64 overall player and No. 7 safety in the 2025 recruiting class.

Also playing key roles are Zion Grady, an edge rusher committed to Ohio State and ranked as the No. 117 prospect in his class, and three-star cornerback Andrew Purcell, who will be heading to Kentucky.

With just a few games remaining in the regular season, Enterprise will face a major test against No. 9 Opelika in one of this week’s four matchups between teams ranked in the top 25 of the On3 Massey Ratings.

The Wildcats, standing at 4-2, are eager to claim a top victory in the home stretch of the season.

Elsewhere in Alabama football, Thompson maintains its hold on the state’s top defense after a narrow 15-10 win over Hewitt-Trussville. Saraland, ranked 5, still had a very powerful season by defeating Baldwin County 55-7 and now has a record of 6-0.

The Spartans, who are averaging over 42 points per game, are supposed to meet with Number 17 St. Paul's Episcopal, another undefeated team, at a major event.

Other notable matchups include No. 16 Montgomery Carver taking on No. 4 Phenix City Central after suffering its first defeat of the season.