Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga Academy baseball team won the Class 1A Area 7 Championship for the second season in a row. The Generals were one of only two teams in Autauga County to make the postseason, and the only team to win a playoff series and advance to the 2nd round. Based on the successful season, the Elmore Autauga News has named Autauga County baseball coach Jason Devaughn as the Autauga County Baseball Coach of the Year.
“I am very honored and blessed to receive this award, but I couldn’t have received this recognition without the support of my staff, administration, and parents. Mostly importantly all my guys. They are the ones who have bought in and made this possible,” said Coach Devaughn.
In just their first two seasons competing in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, after moving over from the Alabama Independent School Association, the Generals have hosted, and won, a playoff series in each season. In 2025, the Generals were one of the final 8 teams after advancing to the 3rd round of the Class 1A Playoffs. In 2026, the Generals again hosted, and won, their first round series.
“Winning the area for the second year in a row and making the playoffs, hosting multiple rounds in just the two years of moving to the AHSAA (is the best team accomplishment). As far as individual accomplishments, we’ve had multiple guys sign to play at the next level,” said Coach Devaughn.
The Autauga Academy coach cited the turning point in the team’s season as a local spring break tournament.
“It’s hard to get a team to focus during spring break, and we were playing teams way above our class and competition. We saw really good pitching and overall play. I feel like it prepared us for the rest of the season and played a major role in the success we had through area play and playoffs,” said Coach Devaughn.
The Generals dominated against their opponents from Area 7. They beat Notasulga 12-1 and 24-0, and they beat Verbena 17-5, 12-2, and 1-0. In the 1st round of the Class 1A playoffs, the General defeated Woodland 15-0 and 7-2 to advance to the Class 1A Sweet 16.
With the AHSAA separation of private school and public schools next season, the Generals will compete in Private School Class A. They have been placed in Area 3 against Ellwood Christian, Holy Spirit Catholic School, Pickens Academy, and Tuscaloosa Academy.
“We are graduating a lot. We will be young but experienced, and our goals will be the same. We want to compete for the area, which will be totally new to us with the new AHSAA private/public split. To make the playoffs in our new area in the first year, which has some really great teams, would be a huge success,” said Coach Devaughn.
