10. Gulf Shores hosted the AHSAA Class 4A-6A Track and Field in April, and hundreds of student athletes from around the state visited Baldwin County to compete.

Spanish Fort’s boys captured the 5A state championship, part of a run track and field and cross country’s titles under head coach Chris Schmidt. Schmidt left the program to coach at Scottsboro after the season, but he left the Toro track and field and cross country teams as one of the top programs in the state.

9. On the first Saturday in September three former Foley Lions started for defending national champion Alabama in its season opener against San Jose State. Wide receiver Julio Jones, safety Robert Lester and offensive tackle D.J. Fluker started for the Crimson Tide, who defeated the visiting Spartans 48-3.

8. In September the Robertsdale Golden Bears got their first region win under head coach Scott Phelps. The Bears had not won a region game since 2004 before defeating Williamson 17-13 on Sept. 10.

Robertsdale’s Caleb Sumrall threw to Justin Vaughn for the go-ahead score with just 42.3 seconds left in the game, and the Bear defense held Williamson to secure the win.

7. The Gulf Shores Dolphins accomplished two great things in February The Dolphins, under the direction of then new head coach Dru Powell, won 20 games for the first time in school history and took the school’s first 5A Area 2 tournament championship.

Gulf Shores defeated Vigor 52-45 in the Area 2 title game and advanced to host a sub-regional.

6. In October, Baldwin County sent four teams to the AHSAA volleyball Elite Eight at the Pelham Civic Complex. Bayside Academy, Gulf Shores, Daphne and Robertsdale sent teams to the state championship tournament.

Bayside Academy won the 3A state championship, Gulf Shores fell in the semis and Daphne and Robertsdale were knocked out in the first round.

5. The Eastern Shore sent three teams to the AHSAA soccer championships in Huntsville in the spring.

Fairhope’s boys, along with Spanish Fort and Daphne’s girls advanced to the state championship tournament. Hoover defeated Fairhope in the semis, while Spain Park defeated Daphne in the semis. Spanish Fort’s girls advanced to the championship match, where they lost to perennial power Briarwood Christian.

4. In May, the Spanish Fort Toros defeated Hartselle in the Class 5A baseball championship series in Montgomery.

It was the school’s first baseball championship in history. Spanish Fort’s Patrick McGavin, who signed to play baseball for the University of Alabama, was named the MVP of the championship series.

3. In October, the Bayside Academy Lady Admirals won their ninth-straight, and 19th overall, volleyball state championship.

Coach Ann Schilling’s Lady Admirals defeated Winston County in five games to win the Class 3A championship match. Bayside sophomore Gabby Deshotel was named the MVP of the tournament.

2. In December, the Daphne Trojans beat Hoover 7-6 to win the school’s second Class 6A state championship.

T.J. Yeldon’s fourth-quarter touchdown, set up by a first down run by Tyrell Holloway, and Brandon Roberts’ subsequent extra point gave Daphne the lead for good.

Daphne’s defense, led by 6A MVP Michael Pierce, held powerhouse Hoover to its lowest point total since 1997.

1. In December, Spanish Fort capped a remarkable sports year for the school with a Class 5A state championship.

Coach Bryant Vincent’s Toros beat Briarwood 14-0 to win the title after playing just five years of varsity football. Quarterback Ameriol Finley, who rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, was named the game’s MVP. The Toro defense shut out a Briarwood team that had not been held scoreless since 2005.