Class of 2027: The Top Returning Junior Boys

As the 2025 cross country season approaches, Alabama high school fans have plenty of reasons to be excited-especially when it comes to the rising talent in the AHSAA Class of 2027. Last season's crop of sophomores produced some eye-popping times and thrilling finishes, and many of them are poised to emerge as major contributors for their teams-and potential state podium contenders-as sophomores.

Here's a breakdown of the top returning juniors based on 5K cross country performances from their sophomore year:

Elite Front-Runners Under 16:00

Four rising sophomores broke the 16-minute barrier as freshmen-a rare feat that signals elite-level potential:

• Noah Jordan (Hewitt-Trussville HS) - 15:38.99 The fastest returning junior in the state. Jordan had a breakout year and could challenge for individual state honors in 2025.
• Daniel Johnson (Vestavia Hills HS) - 15:43.00 Johnson adds depth to Vestavia's powerhouse program and has already established himself as a top-tier threat.
• Nehemiah Johnson (Hazel Green) - 15:55.65 One of the biggest surprises last fall, Nehemiah proved he's not just fast-but ready to lead Hazel Green into contention.
• Jamie McCarthy (Hoover) - 15:56.65 Hoover's depth continues with McCarthy, who brings toughness and speed to an already loaded team.

Chasing the Sub-16 Club

These athletes are knocking on the door of the elite mark and will be contenders in every major invitational:

• Sawyer Burgess (Hoover) - 15:56.87
• Henry Bowden (Hoover) - 16:00.22
• Mason Alexander (Huntsville HS) - 16:02.65
• Lelan Neal (Hewitt-Trussville HS) - 16:03.93
• Jackson Morris (Hewitt-Trussville HS) - 16:04.33
• Oliver Mange (Mountain Brook HS) - 16:05.30

These athletes all finished within seconds of each other in 2024 and are poised to make another leap forward. Expect major fireworks from Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville in team competitions.

Powerhouse Programs Dominate the List

Several schools are well-represented in the top 100, pointing to deep and talented teams:

• Hewitt-Trussville HS - With 6 runners under 17:30, including the state leader Noah Jordan, this is a team with championship aspirations.
• Hoover - 6 runners under 17:10, including McCarthy, Burgess, Bowden, and more. Hoover is built for dominance.
• Hazel Green - 3 under 17:00, led by Nehemiah Johnson, plus Josiah Johnson and John Moltz.
• Cullman - With Henry Crocker, Connor Robinson, Cyrus Dawsey, and Benjamin Stidham, Cullman has a deep core ready to push for a strong season.

Other Standout Sophomores to Watch

• Daniel Deleon (Fort Payne) - 16:05.40
• Keyton Allen (Scottsboro HS) - 16:07.82
• Tyler Morring (Ardmore) - 16:16.82
• Zack Joyce (Oak Mountain HS) - 16:22.73
• William Gill (St. Paul's Episcopal) - 16:38.50
• JP McDonald (Saraland High School) - 17:00.81
• Danny Doerr (Saraland High School) - 17:32.17
• Both Saraland runners ended their sophomore seasons strong Doerr especially made noise at RunningLane and is poised for big improvements in 2025.

Final Thoughts: A Rising Wave

The Class of 2027 is one of the deepest Alabama has seen in years, with over 100 runners clocking sub-18:00 times during their sophomore campaigns. Many of these athletes didn't just participate-they led their teams and set course records at local and regional meets. With another summer of training and varsity-level competition, the 2025 season could see these juniors pushing into all-state territory-and potentially rewriting AHSAA record books.

Coaches and fans should keep a close eye on this group, because the next state champions may already be sharpening their spikes.