It doesn’t get much tougher than 5A Region 8 where four boys teams were ranked in the latest Alabama Coaches Soccer Poll. Athens, Cullman, East Limestone and Hartselle are ranked sixth through tenth with four weeks remaining in the regular season.

Athens (10-5-1, 3-1) is the top ranked team at No. 6. The Golden Eagles have victories over East Limestone, Muscle Shoals and Hartselle, but lost to Cullman.

No. 8 Cullman (8-4-2, 4-0) has the upper hand with region games against Athens, Hartselle and East Limestone left on the schedule.

No. 9 East Limestone (8-6-1, 1-3) will need to win its remaining region slate to make the playoffs. The Indians play Hartselle, Cullman and Athens in consecutive games beginning April 8 at No. 10 Hartselle (11-3-2, 3-1).

In the girls poll, Athens (9-5-1) is the top ranked team at No. 3 in 5A while East Limestone (6-6-1) remained at No. 9.