Preston Lancaster Will Chase Record in State Finals
The Tuscaloosa Academy quarterback aims for the single-season passing record at Protective Stadium this October.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Football
Tuscaloosa Academy quarterback Preston Lancaster will compete in the Class 2A state finals on October 13, 2026. Lancaster enters the matchup in Birmingham having already secured the AHSAA career passing yards record.
Why it matters
The upcoming championship appearance provides Lancaster a final opportunity to surpass the state single-season passing record. He currently needs 153 yards to eclipse the mark after a strong performance in the semifinal victory over Sulligent.
Preston Lancaster holds the AHSAA record with 11,129 career passing yards and 122 touchdowns over 51 games. He has recorded 4,029 passing yards this season and requires 153 additional yards in the finals to set a new single-season record.
The players
Preston Lancaster
He is a high school quarterback at Tuscaloosa Academy who recently became the all-time leader in career passing yards for the AHSAA.
Jack Hayes
He is the former record holder for AHSAA career passing yards who established the previous benchmark of 11,024 yards.
The details
Lancaster earned his spot in the finals after completing 23 of 30 passes in the team's recent semifinal win. Across his current season, he has successfully completed 256 of 353 pass attempts, contributing to his total of 29 career interceptions.
Timeline
Jack Hayes held the career passing record between 2018 and 2022.
Preston Lancaster has been active in his high school career from 2021 to 2024.
The Class 2A state finals are scheduled for October 13, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Lancaster's ascent to the top of the AHSAA record books reshapes the competitive landscape for Alabama high school football. His performance in the upcoming state finals could further cement his standing as the most prolific passer in state history.
Lancaster needs exactly 153 passing yards in the championship game to claim the state single-season passing record. Fans attending the game at Protective Stadium will see if he can maintain his 72.5% season completion rate against the final opponent.
The takeaway
Records in high school football are often defined by the intersection of individual skill and team success deep into the playoffs. Following Lancaster's journey demonstrates how focused training leads to tangible milestones that impact historical state rankings.
What happens next
Preston Lancaster is scheduled to play in the Class 2A state finals at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on October 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on high school athletics in the state, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ahsaa.
