Athens High baseball coach Chuck Smith was in for a surprise when he arrived for practice Monday afternoon. All 25 of his players were sporting a striking new hairstyle, just in time for the playoffs, which begin today.

“Last Sunday night, one player texted me and asked if I had seen any pictures (online) of any players yet,” Smith said. “I said no, and he told me I would see at practice Monday. So what I saw when I got there was all 25 of the players who dress out for games blonde-headed.”

The dye job epitomizes a team that is not only close but full of confidence after sweeping Florence last weekend to clinch the Class 6A, Area 16 championship.

“This group has an unbelievable chemistry with each other,” Smith said. “They all hang out with each other when they leave the field. A lot of teams aren’t that way, but I’ll hear about them playing Fortnite against each other all hours of the night.”

Athens (24-9) will host Pell City (11-16) in the first round of the 6A playoffs, with the first two games of the three-game series set for 5 and 7 p.m. An if-necessary third game would take place at noon Saturday.

Athens is riding high after the sweep of Florence and enters the playoffs on a six-game winning streak. They have allowed one total run in those six games. Smith said playing in a very tough Area 16 is a great help heading into the postseason.

“After taking care of business against Florence, our confidence is at an all-time high,” Smith said. “Going into the season, you’re always looking forward to the area games first, and knowing our area is one of the toughest in the state, it’s like a playoff series each time. Facing the amount of talent on each team in our area puts us at an advantage when we get to the playoffs.”

While Athens High is full of confidence heading into the playoffs after winning its area, Athens Bible is looking for a little redemption after losing a series to rival Decatur Heritage, which cost them a Class 1A, Area 15 championship.

ABS, ranked No. 1 in the state in 1A most of the season, said his team has plenty of motivation to try and face Decatur Heritage again, which would be in the semifinal round. If the Trojans and Eagles meet in the semifinals, it would be a rematch of last season’s semis, which Decatur Heritage won.

“Most of these boys were on the team last year that went through the same scenario,” Athens Bible coach Bill Murrell said. “They know that if they play like they are capable, they can get back to the semifinals against Decatur Heritage.”

But before the Trojans (16-9) can worry about a semifinal matchup with their rivals, they have to get through the first round series against Cedar Bluff (16-8). Because they are area runner-ups, the Trojans will play on the road in the first round. The first two games will take place at 4:30 and 7 p.m. with a possible third game taking place at noon Saturday.

“I think the boys are mature enough to realize you play one series at a time,” Murrell said. “Nothing is guaranteed this time of year.”

Ardmore is also looking to start their playoff run successfully, as the Tigers (18-12) will host Arab (13-17) in the first round. The first two games will take place at 5 and 7:30 p.m. with the possible third game set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Ardmore went undefeated in Class 5A, Area 15, but had a poor performance in a 10-9 victory over Elkmont Monday night. Tigers coach Andrew Smith said his team has put that behind them and are ready to go tonight.

“We have had two good days of practice after that game, so hopefully we are ready to go now,” Smith said. “(Arab) has some good hitters, so our pitchers are going to have to do a good job of hitting their spots and locating the ball well. They are going to put the ball in play, so our defense will have to be strong as well.”

West Limestone will also be hosting a first-round series, as the Wildcats (18-13) also went undefeated in the three-team Class 4A, Area 15. West will host Randolph (17-6) in the first round series, with the first two games taking place at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. today and the if-necessary third game set for noon Saturday.

Perhaps the surprise playoff participant from Limestone County is Clements. The Colts are making their first baseball playoff appearance in 10 years and clinched the spot with a 6-0 victory over area rival Elkmont last week.

As the Class 3A, Area 15 runner-up, Clements (14-8) will travel to face Area 14 champion Plainview (12-7).

“They are just a great group of guys who have bought into the process,” Clements coach Kirk Murphy said after the Colts clinched a postseason trip. “It’s been a building process, and these guys have really bought into what we’re trying to do around here. To turn it around like we have with these guys just makes it really special for me.”