7A Semifinals Highlight Round 3’s 26-game Slate
MONTGOMERY – Senior running back Spencer Unruh has the uncanny ability of pounding the football for time-consuming yardage that can push an opponent in a corner quickly.
Last week, Unruh had a career-high 41 rush attempts for a career high 379 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Corner High School to a 52-42 victory over Boaz in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Unruh’s workhorse performance earned the junior running back this week’s AHSAA Football Playoff Spotlight.
Corner head coach Trent Campbell has called on his 6-foot-1, 194-pound running back a total of 260 times this season in the first 12 games – an average of 7.5 yards per game. Unruh is averaging 26 carries per game as well.
His touchdowns covered 1, 58, 10, 15 and 21 yards. In his two playoff games, Unruh has had 72 rush attempts for 701 yards and nine touchdowns and for the season, he has 1,949 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Unruh has caught 11 passes for 98 yards and returned a kickoff versus Dora for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Corner squad is making history each week. The Jackets (11-1) are in the third round of the state football playoffs for the first time in school history with road game with Jefferson County rival Leeds (10-2) Friday. The Green Wave won 36-22 over previously undefeated Fairview (10-1) last week.
The 11 wins his season for Corner is another school record, and the seniors on this team have won 21 games and lost just three in 2023 and 2024 for another school mark. The seniors are 29-6 over the last three years and 31-14 over four years.
The team has also reached the state playoffs in Class 4A and Class 5A during their tenure.
The AHSAA state playoffs move into the third round Friday night – the quarterfinals for classes 1A through 6A. In Class 7A, defending state champion Central-Phenix City (9-2) is hosting Hoover (10-2), and Thompson (9-3) will be at home against Enterprise (8-4) in the semifinals. The winners of two 7A battles will open the 2024 Super 7 State Championships at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The AHSAA’s Flag Football championship games will be played earlier in the day with the 1A/5A finals at 11 a.m., and 6A/7A finals at 3 p.m. The girls are playing their quarterfinal round tonight and Thursday and the semifinal round, like the remaining boys’ classes, will hold semifinals next week.
A total of 26 games are on the playoff slate this week with all 26 being live- video streamed over the NFHS Network. The AHSAA TV/WOTM Game of the Week being produced by the outstanding WOTM crew led by Vince Earley, will be Hoover at Central-Phenix City. That game will kick off at 7 p.m., CST.
Other top performances reported this week in the boys’ second round include:
MILESTONES
ALVIN HENDERSON, ELBA: Rushed for 258 yards on 18 carries with four touchdowns and completed one pass for 15 yards in the Tigers’ 49-14 win over Linden (8-3). Elba (10-2) hosts Georgiana (8-4) in the third round of the state playoffs Friday. The senior running back’s season rushing totals are now 229 carries for 3,125 yards and 55 rushing TDs – 56 overall. He also became the first player in AHSAA history to rush for 3,000 yards in two consecutive seasons. His career rushing totals after the Linden win are 766 rush attempts for 10,434 yards and 187 touchdowns – pushing him to No. 6 all-time according to the NFHS Record Book online.
The all-time record belongs to Derrick Henry, who rushed for 12,144 yards from 2009-2012 for Yullee (FL) High School. Henry won the Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Alabama and is still going strong in the NFL. Henderson became the seventh high school player in U.S. history to eclipse 10,000 yards in round on of the 2024 state playoffs.
His 196 touchdowns overall and 187 rushing also rank among the national leaders. He ranks third behind Michael Hart of Nedrow Onondaga (NY), who holds the record with 204 from 2000-03, and Johnathan Gray of Aledo (TX), who rushed for 189 from 2008-2011. Henderson’s 196 total TDs rank third all-time behind the same two players. Gray is the all-time leader with 205 and Hart is second with 204. Henderson has also scored six 2-point conversion over his career giving him 1,188 total points. That figure ranked third behind Gray and Hart as well. Hart scored 1,246 points and Gray, 1,232.
BERRY BEATS SPRING GARDEN IN SURPRISING 6-0 WIN: Berry High School, coached by Danny Raines, and Spring Garden High School, coached by Barrett Ragsdale, had been dominating the Class 1A scoring competition this season. Berry (11-1) was averaging 53.5 points per game after beating Addison 54-38 in the first round, and the Panthers (11-1) were unbeaten and averaging 44 ppg after defeating Victory Christian 54-21 in their playoff opener.
However, their expected offensive slugfest was anything but that as the Wildcats squeezed out a 6-0 win to advance to the quarterfinals this week.
Connor Bates managed 16 tackles and an interception on defense for Spring Garden, the kind of numbers he has been putting up each week. Berry countered, however, will a ball-control offense led by Ayden Norris with 144 yards rushing on 27 carries, and quarterback Acelynn Norris, who was 7-of-12 passing for 75 yards. He also had 45 yards rushing on 21 carries and scored the game’s only touchdown on an 8-yard run.
Berry will need their defense to be at its best this week, however, with a quarterfinal battle Friday at Wadley (10-0). The Bulldogs, coached by Shenan Motley, have scored 123 points in two playoff wins and come into Friday’s game averaging 53 ppg. After the 6-0 victory last week, Berry’s average dropped to 49.6 ppg.
DAVID LOTT DELIVERS IN CLUTCH FOR UMS-WRIGHT: The Bulldogs’ defensive standout blocked Andalusia’s only extra point attempt in the first half and intercepted a pass in the second half to thwart another Bulldogs’ drive and UMS-Wright squeaked out a 7-6 win over the Bulldogs (7-5) in the Class 5A playoffs. The victory was No. 361 for UMS coach Terry Curtis, who has compiled a 361-104 record in 36 seasons.
The win sends UMS-Wright (6-6), the No. 4 seed from Region 1, against No. 1 seed Vigor this week at Prichard. Vigor (11-1) has giving up only 52 points in 12 games this season – a state-leading 4.3 ppg. However, the Bulldogs are the only team to score two touchdowns on the year, losing the regular-season game 30-14 to the Wolves of Coach John McKenzie. Vigor beat Eufaula 41-0 in its second-round playoff game – limiting the Tigers to minus 10 yards rushing and also didn’t allow single first down in the win.
RYDER GIPSON STEPS UP FOR FYFFE: Ran for 230 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries as Fyffe (9-2) beat Gordo (10-2) in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs 42-14. Gipson stepped in at tailback for the Red Devils after senior Logan Anderson, last year’s Class 2A Super 7 MVP, suffered a knee injury. The win was the 360th victory for head coach Paul Benefield. He is the third coach in the AHSAA this season to reach that lofty milestone. He ranks third in all-time coaching wins with a 360-58-0 career record. UMS-Wright’s Terry Curtis is one win ahead of him at 361-104, and Danny Horn of Central, Clay County is the current AHSAA wins leader with a 363-97-0 record. Benefield’s 86.1% winning percentage is the tops in AHSAA history for coaches with more than 150 wins. Horn has a 78.9% winning rate and Curtis has a 77.8% winning percentage. All three coaches have advanced their teams to the third round. Horn and Curtis have each coached eight state championship teams and Benefield has coached seven.
PASSING
ANDREW ALFORD, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Led the defending state champion Red Devils to 41-21 win over Vestavia Hills (6-6) in the Class 7A quarterfinals completing 21-of-31 passes for 340 yards and three TDs. His season totals are 129-of-213 for 1,992 yards and 24 touchdowns. Central (9-2) will be hosting Hoover (10-2) in the semifinals Friday night.
BRAYLON MORRIS, COTTONWOOD: Sparked the unbeaten Bears (12-0) to a 52-24 victory over Goshen (8-3) with his strongest passing performance of the season. He was 8-of-12 passing for 322 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Ethan Simmons caught two passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. Cottonwood is at Reeltown (11-1) Friday in the third round of the Class 2A playoffs.
LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: Completed 13-of-22 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns as the Aggies (11-1) beat Bibb County (8-4) in the Class 4A playoffs 51-0. He also ran for 65 yards and a fifth TD. The junior quarterback heads into this week’s quarterfinal battle at home with Tallassee (9-2) Duckworth heads into Friday’s game with 2,370 yards passing this season and 27 TDs. He is 117-of-178 overall.
COLE WILSON, PIEDMONT: Completed 15-of-23 pass attempts for 293 yards and three touchdowns covering 67, 97 and 24 yards as Piedmont (12-0) beat Lauderdale County 21-6 in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
DAX VARNADORE, FORT PAYNE: For the second straight week, the Wildcats’ senior quarterback pulled his team out in a very close battle beating Homewood (9-3) in the second round of the 6A playoffs 35-32. He was 23-of-25 passing for 277 yards and one TD in the win. Varnadore’s career totals are now 467-of-762 passes completed for 6,209 yards and 55 touchdowns. This season he is 208-of-327 for 2,551 yards and 24 TDs. Fort Payne (10-2) is at Oxford (12-0) Friday.
GUNNER RIVERS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: The Cardinals’ talented sophomore was 25-of-41 for 274 yards and one TD in last week’s 38-24 win over Pleasant Grove in the Class 4A playoffs. He is 229-of-350 on the season with 3,336 yards and 32 TDs with only four picks. His career totals –with two more seasons to go – are 458-of-712 for 6,413 yards and 61 TDs with only eight interceptions. St. Michael (11-1) heads back to Birmingham Friday to face powerful Fairfield in quarterfinals.
CHARLIE JOHNSTON, MOODY: Threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns on a 16-of-24 passing performance as the Blue Devils (9-2) beat Wenonah (8-4) in the Class 5A playoffs 34-0. Moody will host Ramsay (8-3) Friday night in the quarterfinal round. Johnston heads into that game with 126-of-190 passes completed this season for 2,298 yards and 26 TDs. He has thrown just six interceptions.
MASON MIMS, OXFORD: The Jackets’ senior quarterback completed 20-of-25 passes for 257 yards and five touchdowns last week as Oxford (12-0) beat Hartselle 34-14 in the Class 6A playoffs’ second round. The Jackets are at home this week hosting Fort Payne (10-2). Mims upped his season passing totals to 221-of-308 for 3,037 yards and 33 TDs. He has varsity career passing totals are 453-of-623 for 5,996 yards and 64 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
PRESTON LANCASTER, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: The senior was 13-of-21 passing for 255 yards and three TDs in the Knights’ 34-9 win over Susan Moore in the Class 2A playoffs. Lancaster, who led the AHSAA in passing last season, is back on top again this season currently with 212 completions in 299 attempts for 3,388 yards and 41 TDs and just three interceptions.
His career totals after last week’s win are 682-of-983 for 10,488 yards and 118 TDs. Tuscaloosa Academy (10-2) will be at home in round three facing Pisgah (11-1) Friday night.
KADYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Led the Raiders (11-1) to a 45-33 Class 3A playoff win over previously undefeated Thomasville (11-1) completing 13-of-16 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 116 yards and a TD on 11 carries – giving him 296 total yards. Houston Academy advanced to the quarterfinals to play unbeaten T.R. Miller (12-0) Friday night.
TRENT SEABORN, THOMPSON: The sophomore quarterback was 19-of-23 passing for 205 yards and two TDs in the Warriors’ Class 7A victory over previously unbeaten Auburn 34-21. Hs biggest play of the night, however, was a 73-yrd run that set up the clinching TD. It was the longest run of his career. He also connected Darion Moseley for a 19-yard TD and fired a 72-yard scoring strike to Dedrick Kimbrough.
Seaborn has completed 186-of-289 passes this season for 2,399 yads and 22 touchdowns. His career totals are 486-of-709 for 6,177 yards and 64 TDs. Thompson (9-3) will host Enterprise (8-4) in the Class 7A semifinals Friday.
MAC BEASON, HOOVER: Passed for 189 yards and directed a crucial fourth-quarter drive to send the Bucs’ Class 4A quarterfinal game with Opelika into overtime. His leadership helped Hoover (10-2), coached by Chip English, secure a dramatic 32-29 triple overtime victory advancing the Bucs to the 7A semifinals to face Central-Phenix City Friday night. The Bucs are making their 14th semifinal appearance in the large-school playoffs in 15 years – not making the semifinals last year to snap a 13-year streak dating back to 2009.
K.J. LACEY, SARALAND: Led the unbeaten Spartans (11-0) to a 49-14 win over McAdory in the Class 6A playoffs completing 16-of-24 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns – upping his season totals to 139-of-225 for 2,203 yards and 31 TDs. He has played in nine games and has thrown no interceptions. His career totals are also impressive. He has completed 578-og-877 passes for 9,044 yards and 114 touchdowns heading into Friday’s quarterfinal battle with unbeaten Spain Park (12-0).
MASON BURKHARDT, ENTERPRISE: Was 10-of-13 passing for 163 yards and one touchdown, rushed for 120 yards including a key 75-yard in the fourth quarter to seal the victory as the Wildcats beat Baker 30-14 to advance to the Class 7A semifinals. Enterprise (8-4) will be on the road at Thompson (9-3) Friday night – making its first semifinals appearance in the playoffs in 31 years (1993). Burkhardt also caught a 7-yard TD pass in the win.
DYLAN JACKSON, VIGOR: Jackson, subbing injured starting quarterback Sammy Dunn, threw three touchdown passes as the Wolves shut out Eufaula 41-0 in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs for the defense’s fifth shutout of the season.
RUSHING
JAYDEN MARTIN, RAMSAY: Accounted for 342 total yards and five touchdowns as the Rams (8-3) beat Scottsboro 40-27 in the Class 5A playoffs. He had 304 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries and had two catches for 38 yards and a fifth TD in the win.
GARRETT KIMBROUGH, BROOKS: The senior quarterback accounted for 318 total yards and three touchdowns in the Lions’ 41-35 victory over Alexandria (8-3) in the Class 4A state playoffs. He had 208 yards rushing and one score on 11 carries and completed 11-of-16 passes for 110 yards and two TDs for Brooks (10-2). He has totaled over 3,000 yards on the season with 1,304 yards rushing on 128 carries and 1,714 yards passing (150 of 225) with eight TDs. Brooks is at home in the third round this week to face Cherokee County (11-1).
NOAH MOSS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: The junior running back rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries as the Cardinals (11-1) knocked off Pleasant Grove (9-2) 38-24 on the road in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. St. Michael, coached by Philip Rivers, heads back to Birmingham this week to face Fairfield (9-3), a 23-22 winner over W.S. Neal. Moss, who has 1,575 yards rushing on 199 carries and 26 touchdowns this season, was two yards shy of the school rushing record (237 yards) he set as a junior versus Elberta. He also has caught 38 passes for 493 yards and three additional scores.
TERENCE GAINES, PARKER: Managed 186 yards rushing on 14 carries, including a 63-yard touchdown run on the game’s third play, and the visiting Thundering Herd (11-1) beat Mountain Brook 28-7 in the second round of the state playoffs. in the win against Mountain Brook. Parker, coached by Frank Warren, will host Muscle Shoals (10-2) in the quarterfinals Friday. The Trojans knocked off defending 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville 31-21 in last week’s second round of the 6A playoffs.
JAKE HARPER, FAIRVIEW: Finished the season with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in the Aggies’ 36-22 loss to Leeds in the Class 5A playoffs. He had 1,901 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns on 160 carries this season for Fairview (10-1).
CONNER NELSON, LEEDS: The senior running back ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to lead the Green Wave (10-2) to a 36-22 victory over previously unbeaten Fairview in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. He now has 296 carries for 1,674 yards and 33 touchdowns rushing on the season Leeds will face Corner (11-1) in the third round Friday.
MYLES JOHNSON, T.R. MILLER: The senior running back/linebacker who as committed to the Florida Gators, had 23 rush attempts for 160 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers (12-0) remained undefeated with a 21-7 road victory over Trinity Presbyterian (8-4). The win was the 241st coaching victory for head coach Brent Hubbert, who learned earlier in the day that he had been selected to be inducted into the AHSAA Sports Hall of Fame in the Class off 2025. Hubbert’s father Jim Hubbert was inducted in 2006. Brent Hubbert’s coaching record is now 2451-58 in 24 seasons – a winning percentage of 80.6%.
C.J. COWLEY, SPAIN PARK: Had 19 carries for 155 yards and three rushing touchdowns and caught a 13-yard TD pass as the unbeaten Jaguars (12-0) beat Russell County (9-3) in the Class 6A state playoffs. The home win sends Spain Park, coached by Jim Vakakes, on the road to Saraland (11-0) Friday night in a battle of unbeatens in the 6A quarterfinals.
JAYDEN McNABB, GOSHEN: Rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries and added 108 yards passing off completing 6-of-12 attempts in Goshen’s 52-24 loss to Cottonwood in the 2A playoffs.
WELLS GANEY, ARITON: Gained 152 yards rushing and scored one touchdown on 18 carries, caught one pass for 17 yards, and had 11 tackles on defense to lead the Purple Cats (7-5) to a 23-7 win over Clarke County (804). He had three tackles for losses and recovered a fumble in the Class 2A second-round playoff win. Ariton takes on Highland Home (12-0) in the third round Friday.
COLLIN MOORE, PLEASANT GROVE: Had 13 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard scoring run, in the Spartans’ 38-24 loss to St. Michael Catholic of Fairhope.
SAM GARRISON, SUSAN MOORE: Ran for 143 yards and one TD on 29 carries in Susan Moore’s 34-9 Class 2A playoff loss to Tuscaloosa Academy. The freshman quarterback finished the season with 1,833 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on 222 carries.
KING CAMPBELL, COTTONWOOD: Rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and recorded seven tackles on defense in the Bears’ 52-24 win over Goshen in the Class 2A playoffs.
TAE DIAMOND, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Managed 109 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns (18 and 30 yards) in the Warriors’ 41-14 Class 4A playoff win over Central-Florence. Teammate Tristan Brown also had 12 carries for 101 yards and led the defense with 17 tackles, a sack and interception.
PASS RECEIVING
ROLLIE PINTO, PIEDMONT: Caught five passes for 195 yards and two long-distance scores covering 67 and 97 yards in a 21-6 win over Lauderdale County in the Class 3A state playoffs. Teammate Ishmael Bethel added nine receptions for 92 yards and a 24-yard touchdown.
GABE GLOVER, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Grabbed six pass receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 45-33 win over previously unbeaten Thomasville (11-1) in the Class 3A playoffs. Houston Academy (11-1) takes on T.R. Miller (12-0) Friday in the 3A quarterfinal round.
JAYDEN CAPLE, ARITON: Reeled in seven catches for 135 yards and had a kick return of 66 yards that set up Ariton’s first score in the Purple Cats’ 27-7 win over Clarke County.
C.D. GILL, SARALAND: The senior receiver caught nine passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ Class 6A 49-14 playoff win over McAdory (7-4).
TY JONES, WEST MORGAN: Finished with a 32-yard touchdown catch and two scoring runs of 1 and 13 yards as West Morgan (12-0) beat Madison Academy 28-7 in the Class 4A playoffs.
DEFENSE
GRAYSON GULDE, VINCENT: Contributed 20 tackles in the Jackets’ 26-20 loss to unbeaten Winston County (12-0) in the Class 2A state playoffs. He finished the season with 202 tackles. In three seasons, his career numbers included 435 tackles in 41 games with one interception seven sacks, five fumbles caused, and four fumbles recovered.
CHRISTIAN PRITCHARD, MUSCLE SHOALS: With the Trojans holding on precariously to a 24-21 lead with less than a minute to play, the Muscle Shoals defensive end scooped up a Clay-Chalkville fumble at Muscle Shoals’ 26-yard line and sped 74 yards for the game-clinching touchdown in a 31-21 victory to advance too the third round of the Class 6A state playoffs. The Trojans (10-2) will face Parker (11-1) Friday at Birmingham.
BILLY NEILL, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: The middle linebacker had 21 tackles on defense and rushed for 84 yards and two scores on offense as the Admirals (9-3) beat Alabama Christian (7-5) at Faulkner University’s John David Stallings Stadium in Montgomery 23-7. Neill has 173 tackles this season and 296 for his career. The Admirals advanced to the round of the Class 3A state playoffs with the win and will face Southside-Selma (10-2) Friday.
JAGGER LUDOLF, MOODY: Upped his season tackles toral to 166 on the ear with 14 tackles and two sacks in the Blue Devils’ 34-0 shutout win over Wenonah in the 5A playoffs. He has 281 career tackles in 34 games
TYLER McLENDON, GOSHEN: Totaled 14 tackles in the Eagles’ Class 2A playoff 52-24 loss to Cottonwood.
WALKER TURNER, ENTERPRISE: Had 13 tackles with one for a loss in the Wildcats’ 30-14 win over Baker in the 7A quarterfinals. Teammate Eric Winter also had seven stops.
TYLER SHARP, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN: Had 13 tackles in the Eagles’ 42-6 loss to unbeaten Highland Home (12-0) in the 2A state playoffs. PCA’s David McClurkin, Colson Love and Calvin McClintock
each had 11 tackles.
TATE KILCREASE, ARITON: Kilcrease and teammate Tristan Silavent each had 13 tackles to help the Purple Cats defeat Clarke County 27-7 in the Class 2A playoffs. Trey Connell and Addison Senn also added 10 tackles with one for a loss each. Ariton hosts Highland Home (12-0) in the quarterfinals this week.
HUGHES WILLIAMS, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Williams and Thomas Buntin made 10 tackles in the Raiders’ Class 3A 45-33 playoff over Thomasville (11-1). Williams had two tackles for loss and also blocked a point after kick
CAYDEN ADKINS, ELBA: Had 16 tackles and two quarterback pressures in Elba’s 49-14 Class 1A playoff win over Linden (8-3). Jacob Watkins also had 15 tackles for the Tigers (10-2). Adkins has 381 career tackles with 159 this season. He also has 20 career sacks heading into Friday’s quarterfinal game with Georgiana.
CALEB HARBOUR, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Posted 11 tackles, including one for loss, with a sack and defensive touchdown when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 24 yards for a Warriors TD just before halftime. Cherokee County (11-1) won over Central-Florence 41-14 in the Class 4A playoffs’ second-round action. Teammate Keshawn Thomas also had 11 tackles in the win.
JAY GARRETT, COTTONWOOF: Jay Garrett, Posted nine on defense and rushed for 82 yards and a TD on five carries and caught two passes for 60 yards in the Bears’ 52-24 win over Goshen in the 2A playoffs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
MATTHEW DAIBES, HOOVER: Kicked three field goals including a 20-yard boot in third overtime as Hoover (10-2) edged Opelika 32-29 in the Class 7A quarterfinals.
JOSE ROCHA, ENTERPRISE: Kicked a season-high three field goals – from 36, 34 and 36 – and made all three extra-point kicks in a 30-14 EHS win over Baker.
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