AHSAA Football Round 3 Playoff Spotlight
MONTGOMERY – Fyffe High School junior running back Logan Anderson set a school record and fell just one shy of the AHSAA state record for touchdowns in a game to lead the defending Class 2A state champion Red Devils (12-1) to a 63-33 over previously unbeaten Locust Fork (12-1) last Friday to grab the AHSAA Football Playoff Spotlight for round three of the 2023 playoffs.
His extraordinary performance was rivaled by Class 1A Elba junior running back Alvin Henderson and quarterback Brandon Musch of Class 4A Westminster Christian. Both are writing their names into the AHSAA Record Book with their amazing efforts.
As for Anderson, his comeback from a season-ending knee injury in last year’s semifinals has been extraordinary. His performance last week came exactly one year after seeing his season come abruptly when suffered a major knee injury in the semifinal versus Pisgah. As a sophomore he rushed for more than 1,800 yards before the knee injury in the semifinals sent him to sidelines. Ironically, Fyffe faces Pisgah (12-1) in this week’s semifinals – which come a week later than last year’s contest.
He has been working diligently to get back to top form – and as Coach Paul Benefield describes his junior standout who has rushed for 2,000 yards already this season, “He is amazing, just amazing.”
Against Locust Fork, a super effort was needed to offset Locust Fork’s talented quarterback Dylan Embry, who rushed for 138 yards and one TD on 20 carries and was 14-of-22 passing for 187 yards and two more scores – with no interceptions. Anderson delivered. He rushed for 312 yards on 28 carries and scored eight touchdowns. He had rushing TDs of 21, 12, 4, 10, 43, 41 and 9 yards to give the defending state champions a comfortable 56-33 lead late. The visiting Hornets scored their final TD, and anticipating an onside kick, Benefield said he had Anderson lined up deep on the kickoff.
The ball was kicked deep instead, however, straight to Anderson, and he instinctively ran 82 yards for his eighth and final TD of the night.
The state record for touchdowns scored in a single game (9) was set in 2008 by Hubbertville’s Tommy Haley-Hicks in a 76-52 Class 1A victory over Vina. That broke the previous record (8) set first by Jack Golson of Lowndes County in a 1950 victory over Loretto (61-13) with Golson returning a national record six punts for touchdowns — a mark that still stands. Sylacauga’s Golinsky Smith equaled that mark with eight rushing TDs in a 1997 win over Chelsea. Frisco City’s John Tucker also equaled that total in a win over Sweet Water the next year in 1998. Parrish’s Dixon tied the mark with eight scores in three quarters as the Tornadoes beat Hubbertville 81-58 in 2003. He also set the AHSAA single-game yards rushing record (531 yards on 21 carries) in that game. Gaston’s Demont Buice equaled the eight TD mark in a 2007 win over Collinsville, and the next year Haley-Ricks established the new record with nine in the win over Vina.
Things quietened down for the next 11 years when Jaylen Nobles of Slocomb scored eight TDs versus Geneva, and Lee Witherspoon of North Jackson equaled that mark twice – in big wins over Priceville and Fairview.
Jalen White of Daleville equaled the mark a year later with eight rushing TDs and 463 yards in a 78-36 win over Barbour County – remarkably on just nine carries. Bayden Kyle of Decatur Heritage became the first player to score eight TDs in the state playoffs with a 358-yard rushing effort in a 76-60 win over Ragland in 2021. He also passed for 271 yards in that game for 629 total yards.
Anderson is the first to reach that mark since then, just in time for the Fyffe Red Devils as they host the Class 2A north semifinals this week against their region rivals Pisgah.
In Class 1A, Elba High School junior Alvin Henderson set a new single-season AHSAA rushing touchdown record last week with another sensational effort as the Tigers (13-0) of Coach Marc Sieving, beat Maplesville (8-5) in the Class 1A quarterfinals 49-14. He had 315 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 21 carries – giving him 58 rushing TDs this season. He now has 3,203 yards rushing this season on 194 carries and currently ranks third in the nation for rushing yardage, according to MaxPrep’s national statistics database.
Daniel Thomas of Bell County (KY) leads the nation with 3,483 yards on 321 carries in 13 games. He has 49 TDs. Hunter Babb of Caruthers (CA) is second with 3,245 yards and 45 TDs on 303 carries in 11 games. It is important to note that Henderson, who is averaging 16.5 yards per carry, has had 127 less carries than Thomas 109 less than Babb.
Henderson’s total TDs this season are 64 – including one receiving, two punt returns and three kickoff returns – which sets the AHSAA all-time single-season record for TDs scored. He has passed for another TD. He also has totaled 384 points this season – which shattered the previous record (354) set by North Jackson’s Lee Witherspoon in 2018. Witherspoon also held the previous season TD record (59) and season rushing TD record (53), which was set that same season.
Henderson’s 3,203 rushing yards this season ranks third all-time in the AHSAA behind Jalen White of Daleville (3,519 yards in 11 games in 2019); Jamarius Henderson of Dale County (3,483 yards in 15 games in 2014); and moved past De’Marion “Fluff” Bouthwell of Oneonta, who was ranked third with 3,112 yards on 256 carries in 14 games after last season. Kendal Gibson of Aliceville (3,083 yards in 2000), Lee Cagle of Lynn (3,018 yards in 1996), and the AHSAA’s first 3,000-yard rusher Sherman Williams of Blount (3,004 yards in 1990) are the only other players in AHSAA history to top 3,000 yards rushing in a single season.
Henderson’s career totals also are moving closer to the top in the AHSAA Record Book. He currently has 139 total TDs, which rank third all-time behind Wadley’s Terrance Wilkes (160 from 2003-2006), and Alexandria’s Mac Campbell (153 from 1993-1997). His rushing total, which has at least one more playoff game this season and his senior year still remaining, ranks 11th already. Campbell currently holds the career record with 8,829 yards in five seasons at Alexandria.
Westminster Christian senior quarterback Brandon Musch also moved up in several AHSAA Record Book categories. He led the Wildcats of Coach Louis Leblanc to a 48-27 victory over Brooks (8-5) in the Class 4A quarterfinals. He ran for 261 yards and six touchdowns on 25 carries and completed 10-of-12 passes for 68 yards in the win. He scored on runs of 17, 10, 11, 6, 54, and 56 yards. Heading into this week’s 4A semifinals versus Cherokee County at Huntsville, Musch has accounted for 62 touchdowns – 36 rushing and 26 passing – which ranks tied for third all-time in the AHSAA behind record-holder Brayden Kyle of Decatur Heritage (68 in 2021) and previous record holder Chris Nickson of Pike County (67 in 2003). Musch joins LaFayette’s Jartavious Whitlow (2016) and Clay-Chalkville’s Tyrell Pigrome (2015), who also accounted for 62 TDs in a single season.
Westminster’s Musch has completed 712-of-1,226 passes for 8,697 yards and 106 TDs for his career. He has also rushed for 5,139 yards on 675 carries and 86 TDs in 44 varsity games thus far. His 192 total TDs accounted for rank second behind Piedmont’s Jack Hayes, who had 223 from 2018-2022. Musch’s total yardage this season (3,904 yards rushing, passing and pass receiving) is 21st all-time. The state record (5,342 yards) was set in 2022 by Southside-Selma’s Christopher Thomas. Musch has amassed 13,827 total yards in his career thus far, however, which ranks second behind Hayes’ 15,104 yards. He needs 1,288 yards the rest of the season to surpass that mark.
In other third-round playoff highlights:
CLASS 7A
KALEB HARRIS, THOMPSON: The senior linebacker had 12 tackles with two sacks – giving him 270 tackles for his career – as the Warriors’ defense led the way in a 21-10 victory over Hewitt-Trussville (9-4) in the Class 7A semifinals. Quarterback Trent Seaborn led an efficient offense with an 18-of-24 passing performance for 152 yards. While he was unable to throw a touchdown pass in a game for the first time this season, he had no turnovers and rushed for his second TD of the year in the victory over Region 3 rival Hewitt-Trussville The triumph clinched the Warriors’ sixth straight Super 7 championship game appearance in a row.
Thompson (11-1), which faces unbeaten Central-Phenix City (12-0) in the Class 7A finals Dec. 6, also won its 19th straight playoff game – and the seventh in a row for Seaborn, a freshman. Senior running back A.J. Green had 31 rush attempts for 91 yards and two TDs in the semifinal win over Hewitt. Receiver Deuce Oliver also had 11 catches for 92 yards. Defensive back Anquon Feagans had seven tackles, returned an interception 59 yards to set up a TD, and had two kickoff returns for 66 yards. He now has 16 picks in his prep career.
PEYTON FLOYD, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Closed out his senior season with 211 total yards versus the four-time defending Class 7A state champion Warriors’ defense. He was 14-of-28 passing for 132 yards and rushed 27 times for 79 yards and one TD in the 21-10 setback. The Huskies’ senior closed out his career with 6,091 passing yards and 61 TDs and 2,152 rushing yards with 39 TDs – 8,243 total yards and 100 touchdowns accounted for.
DAYLYN UPSHAW, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Led the Red Devils (12-0) in to the Class 7A state finals with nine catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns as Central-Phenix City beat previously undefeated Mary Montgomery (12-1) in the 7A semifinals 21-7. Upshaw has 58 receptions for 1,174 yards and 12 TDs season. Sidekick Cam Coleman, who managed three catches for 34 yards and the other Central TD, has caught 56 passes for 1,229 yards and 17 TDs heading into next week’s Super 7 finals versus Thompson on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Quarterback Andrew Alford was 17-of-26 passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns. He has 269 completions in 258 attempts (66.8%) for 3,384 yards this season. He has thrown 44 touchdown passes with only two picks.
JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: Closed out the best season in school history for Mary Montgomery (12-1) with a 16-of-29 passing performance for 196 yards in the 21-7 loss to Central. He led the Vikings to 16 straight regular season wins over the last two seasons after an 0-4 start in 2022.
His career passing totals (2022 and 2023) are 306-of-453 pass completions for 4,901 yards and 50 TDs with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 645 yards and 12 scores.
CLASS 6A
JAYLEN MBAKWE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Completed 21-of-27 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Cougars (12-0) past Muscle Shoals (11-1) and into the Class 6A semifinals versus Parker this week. Marlon Compton caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, Mario Cravers had five receptions for 81 yards and two scores Seven Clay receivers caught at least one pass in the win.
NA’EEM OFFORD, PARKER: Ran seven times for 40 yards and three touchdowns added four punt returns for 125 yards as the Thundering Herd (12-1) moved into the semifinals to host Clay-Chalkville this week. Offord returned one punt for a 45-yard TD.
DRE KIRKPATRICK, GADSDEN CITY: Had 188 return yards in the Titans’ 35-20 loss to Parker. He also had six tackles and a pass broken up.
RYAN WILLIAMS, SARALAND: Alabama’s 2022 Mr. Football caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in the Spartans’ 31-21 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. He also had six rush attempts for 45 yards. Quarterback K.J. Lacey, who has passed for 6,127 yards and 77 touchdowns in his prep career, was 16-of-24 for 234 yards and two TDs in the victory. He and the Spartans (13-0) take a 19-game winning streak into the semifinals versus Pike Road Friday night. Lacey is 171-of-251 passing this season for 2,734 yards, 36 TDs and only seven interceptions.
BRYSON KIMBROUGH, HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA: Fired TD passes to Jackson Henderson and Chemar Moore in the Patriots’ 31-21 loss to defending Class 6A state champion Saraland (13-0) in the Class 6A quarterfinals. Kimbrough, a junior, led the Patriots (12-1) to 12 straight wins this season and was 71-for-108 passing for 1,587 yards and 12 touchdowns through the first 11 games. He will be back next year to lead Hillcrest, which is graduating 34 seniors from the 2023 team.
JORDAN KING, PIKE ROAD: Pulled down seven passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns to help the Patriots beat Benjamin Russell 31-28 in the 6A quarterfinals. He has 52 catches for 1,005 yards and 11 scores this season. He has totaled 11 receptions, 222 yards and four scores in Pike Road’s last two playoff games. Place-kicker Shane Ikerman delivered the winning points, however, with a 25-yard field goal coming on the final play of the game.
MALCOLM SIMMONS, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Closed out his senior season with five receptions for 152 yards and two TDs and rushed once for a 7-yard score in the Wildcats’ 31-28 setback versus Pike Road in the 6A quarterfinals. Simmons caught 60 passes for 1,279 yards and 14 touchdowns this season and had 117 catches for 2,536 yards and 28 TDs for his career. Quarterback Gabe Benton, also a senior, was 15-of-35 for 249 yards and two TDs in the loss. He was 171-of-272 for 2,934 yards, 29 TDs and only four interceptions. His career numbers were 443-of-739 passing for 7,267 yards and 73 TDs. He also had 731 rushing yards and 10 scores – giving him 7,998 total yards and 83 scores accounted for.
CLASS 5A
KAMERON KEENAN, RAMSAY: Completed 15-of-23 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns, adding nine rushes for 78 yards and two more scores as the defending Class 5A state champion Rams (11-2) beat Moody 40-27 in the Class 5A quarterfinals. Receivers Tremell Washington and Kristian Stinson were his top receivers. Washington caught six passes for 92 yards and one TD and had two punt returns for 79 yards. Stinson caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Teammate Fletcher Taylor returned an interception for a TD. Keenan is 172-of-280 passing this season for 2,781 yards and 28 TDs.
Moody quarterback Charlie Johnston, who passed for 261 yards on a 16-of-45 passing effort, fired a 57-yard connection to Braeden Wright to set up a 15-yard TD pass to Ka’Darius Barnes. Johnston tossed two TD passes to Barnes and one to Aidan Robinson for the Blue Devils (10-3). Johnson ended the season 181-of-296 with 2,559 yards, 29 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 13 games. Defensive standout Zane Smith also had 14 tackles for Moody.
ELI MORRISON, GUNTERSVILLE: Led the Wildcats (12-1) to a 31-21 Class 5A state playoff victory over Pleasant Grove (10-3) completing 19-of-33 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a TD. Cam Logan and Dale Peterson each hauled in a TD pass as Guntersville advanced to this week’s semifinals at Parker. Defensive back Treyvon Avery also returned an interception for a TD for the Wildcats.
CLARENCE TAYLOR, PLEASANT GROVE: The 6-foot-1 junior caught eight passes for 85 yards and a 33-yard TD in the Spartans’ 31-21 loss to Guntersville in the third round. He finished his season with 70 catches for a state-leading 1,621 yards and 25 TDs in the setback. His 25 TDs this season, which rank second in the AHSAA Record Book behind Westbrook Christian’s Brandon Greer, who had 30 as the favorite target of future Alabama and NFL quarterback Brodie Croyle in 1998. Montgomery Catholic’s Luke Harkless also had 25 last season for Montgomery Catholic – one more than Saraland’s Ryan Williams.
Pleasant Grove quarterback Eric Handley was 22-of-36 for 246 yards and two TDs in the loss and finished his career 392-of-584 for 6,547 yards and 82 TDs. Even more amazing, he and Taylor hooked up this season on TD passes covering 99, 80, 79, 74, 73, 60, 53, 52, 46, 38, and 33 yards – all coming in 11 different games.
KINGSTON LOWE, GULF SHORES: Had five tackles for a loss and four sacks as the Dolphins (13-0) beat Headland (10-3) in the 5A quarterfinals 35-14 to move to the semis for the first time in school history. Gulf Shores will host Eufaula (10-3) Friday night.
COOPER WINGATE, EUFAULA: Kicked the game-winning 18-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining to lift the Tigers (10-3) to a 20-17 victory over Demopolis in the 5A quarterfinals. Keviyon Lamons also had a big defensive play with a tackle in the end zone for a sack resulting in a safety to cut Demopolis’ lead to 10-9. Quarterback Browning Anderson struck quickly following the safety free kick delivering a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lekeveyunte Pugh, who also scored the 2-point conversion, and the Tigers took the lead 17-10. After Demopolis tied the game 17-17, the Eufaula defense stopped the Aggies on a key fourth-down play to set up Wingate’s winning kick.
CLASS 4A
ELIJAH HALL, B.T. WASHINGTON: Scored the game-winning TD on the final play of the game to lift the Eagles (9-4), a third seed heading into the Class 4A state playoffs, to a 20-17 win over previously unbeaten Jackson (12-1) in the quarterfinals. He finished the night with 127 yards rushing on 27 carries and completed 13-of-28 passes for 188 yards and two TDs as the Eagles came from behind in the final two minutes to win. Teammate Marquez Daniel led the BTW defense with five tackles and his seventh interception of the season, and James Phillips totaled 10 tackles. Hall has passed for 1,418 yards and 19 TDs this season and has rushed for 1,232 yards and 12 scores. The victory sends the Eagles of Coach Lawrence O’Neal into the Class 4A state semifinals to face Montgomery Catholic this week. The game will be in Montgomery.
CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY-CATHOLIC: The senior quarterback led the Knights (13-0) to a 44-20 victory over Jacksonville on the road with 262 total yards, two passing TDs and three rushing TDs. He was 11-of-14 for 136 passing yards and rushed 11 times for 126 yards. Teammate Josh Griffin had 76 yards rushing on eight carries and scored one touchdown to up his season totals to 1,646 yards and 22 TDs on 184 carries. McCreary is 81-of-126 passing this season for 1,410 yards and 17 TDs and has rushed 78 times for 853 yards and 19 scores. Catholic will host Region 2 rival Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee in the semifinals Friday.
JACOB CORNEJO, CHEROKEE COUNTY: The Warriors’ workhorse running back lined up at quarterback due to an injury to starter Carson Tittle and picked up 203 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 38 carries as Cherokee County (12-1) nipped previously unbeaten West Morgan (12-1) on the road in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Teammate Tia Diamond ran for 133 yards, and Alex Johnson had a key interception on defense with 2:59 remaining to seal the Class 4A quarterfinal win. Diamond also had 16 tackles with two sacks and four other stops for losses, and Tristan Brown had 12 stops with a fumble recovery and three tackles for losses.
BRAXTON PETERS, WEST MORGAN: Passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one as the Rebels (12-1) closed their season with a 28-27 loss to Cherokee County (12-1) for their only defeat of the season. He connected with Ti’arrius Mosley, who closed the season with 54 catches, 1,151 yards and 14 TDs, to tie the game at 14-14 with scoring tosses covering 58 and 53 yards. Peters scored the Rebels’ final TD on an 8-yard TD run in the final quarter. He finished 6-of-10 passing for 148 yards and rushed for 70 yards. Mosley finished with two catches for 111 yards and two scores. ShaMarvion Mosley led West Morgan on defense with a game-high 20 tackles.
JIM OGLE, JACKSONVILLE: Completed 16-of-29 passes for 163 yards and two TDs and rushed for 57 yards on eight carries in the Golden Eagles’ 44-20 loss to unbeaten Montgomery Catholic. Ogle finished his season with 210 completions in 311 attempts for 3,095 yards and 44 touchdowns – and only six interceptions. Demonte Sinclair was the leading receiver for the Eagles (10-3) with dix catches for 79 yards.
GARRETT BURROUGH, BROOKS: Was 9-of-14 passing for 126 yards and rushed for 116 yards and a TD to lead the Lions (8-5) in their 48-27 loss to Westminster Christian in the 4A quarterfinals. Omar Joyner also had 117 yards rushing on 21 carries and scored twice. However, a six-touchdown performance by Westminster senior quarterback Brandon Musch was too much to overcome.
CLASS 3A
DAMIEN GATSON, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Completed 15-of-18 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns as the unbeaten Leopards (13-0) downed Trinity Presbyterian (11-2) in the 3A quarterfinals 42-21. Antonio Brown added 119 rushing yards on 26 carries, and linebacker Kentonio Kelly delivered 15 tackles, including three for losses giving him 17 for the season. He also has three interceptions this season. Trinity Presbyterian was led by Ross Sanders, who had 30 carries for 144 yards and two TDs.
K.J. JACKSON, SAINT JAMES: The defending Class 3A state champions pulled out a 28-26 victory over Thomasville with Jackson tossing two TD passes and rushing for a third score. He has thrown for more than 2,600 yards this season with 40 touchdowns with his favorite targets Tabor Offord and Clint Houser leading the Trojans (11-2) with one TD reception each. Offord has 16 TD catches and Houser has 10 on the season for Saint James.
KEN CHERRY, MADISON ACADEMY: Managed 165 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 14 carries and converted a 2-point run in the Mustangs’ 35-28 Class 3A quarterfinal win over Sylvania. The victory sets up a semifinal battle for Madison Academy (13-0) at Geraldine (12-1).
AIDAN PARHAM, SYLVANIA: Ran for 323 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries to lead the Rams (10-2). He finished the season with more than 2,400 yards rushing.
CARLOS MANN, GERALDINE: Ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries and caught seven passes from Jaxson Mann for 89 yards three more scores to lead the Bulldogs (12-1) to a 55-20 win over previously unbeaten Lauderdale County (12-1) in the Class 3A quarterfinals. Mann had TD runs of 49, 32 and 51 yards and TD receptions of 27, 16 and 17 yards. Kicker Moses Garcia also booted field goals of 42 and 47 yards in the win. Micah Christensen scored two touchdowns on runs of 65 and two yards to lead Lauderdale County.
Geraldine, which hosts Madison Academy in the semifinals, already has victories this season of two other teams playing this week in the semis – Class 1A Coosa Christian and Class 2A defending state champion Fyffe.
CLASS 2A
DEVIN HARVEY, B.B. COMER: Completed seven passes, all to receiver Raelon Sims, who finished with 180 yards receiving and three TD receptions covering 35, 41, and 12 yards as the unbeaten Tigers (13-0) downed Clarke County 42-22 in the Class 2A quarterfinals. Harvey also scored on a 1-yard run for a fourth score. He finished the night rushing for 151 yards on 14 carries. Clarke County (7-6) was paced by Jayshaun Stokes’ 75 yards rushing and two touchdowns on five carries.
LUKE GILBERT, PISGAH: Ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, caught three passes for 84 yards and a TD and converted a 2-point run in a 36-29 win over Tuscaloosa Academy. Legion McCrary also had 82 rushing yards and two scores. The Eagles’ win sets up a Region 7 final rematch in the Class 2A semifinals with Fyffe (12-1). The Red Devils handed Pisgah its only loss 55-42 during the regular season. The 42 points scored against Fyffe are the most points allowed by defending Class 2A state champions in 156 games – dating back to Nov. 6, 2012 when Fultondale won in the second round of the state playoffs 49-28 to eliminate the Red Devils that year.
PRESTON LANCASTER, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: The junior quarterback closed out the season completing 29-of-50 passes for 426 yards and one TD with no interceptions in a hard-fought 36-29 loss to Pisgah in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A stat playoffs. He finished his season with a state-leading 3,941 passing yards. He was 254-of-365, a 69.6% pass completion rate, with 46 TD passes and just 10 interceptions. Miles Powell had seven catches in the playoff loss for 118 yards and closed the season making 66 catches for 1,165 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Lancaster has passed for 7,100 yards and 77 touchdowns in his prep career with another year remaining. His pass completion rate (68.7%) with 470-of-684 passes completed currently ranks second in the AHSAA behind the leader, James Raines of Berry, who finished his prep career which spanned from 2014-2016 with a 72.0% with 622 completions in 864 attempts. Hewitt-Trussville’s Paul Tyson, who completed 68.2% of his passes from 2017-2018 at Hewitt Trussville (463 of 678), ranks third all time.
ANDREW WOODS, REELTOWN: Rushed for two touchdowns and Tae Martin accounted for three scores as the Rebels (12-0) downed Cottonwood (10-2) in the Class 2A quarterfinals 41-22. Finn Henderson added nine tackles, including two sacks, in the win over the Bears. Woods now has 2,027 rushing yards and 28 TDs on the season on just 132 carries – 15.4 yards per rush. Martin has 613 receiving yards and seven scores on 25 catches – 24.5 yards per catch.
CLASS 1A
ROZOWICZ CUNNINGHAM, PICKENS COUNTY: Had 15 tackles as the Tornadoes (10-3) beat Wadley (11-2) in the Class 1A quarterfinals 18-14 – just one week after Wadley had scored 81 in a playoff win over Region 5 Pickens County rival South Lamar in the second round. The victory lands the Tornadoes, coached by Pickens County alum and former University of Alabama and NFL standout tight end Michael Williams, into the Class 1A semifinals for the eighth straight year – and all six years in Williams’ tenure as head coach. Williams has the rare distinction of coaching in a state championship game (twice), playing on three national championship teams at the University of Alabama, and in Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots.
JOHN DAVID JUSTUS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The Conquerors’ quarterback completed 13-of-22 passes for 173 yards and one TD as Coosa Christian (8-5) beat Hackleburg 63-13 to advance to this week’s North semifinals to host Pickens County (10-3), which downed Wadley 18-14. Kanon Wilson also ran for 192 yards and five touchdowns in Coosa’s win, and Grayson Malone caught four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. For Hackleburg, Blaze Vickery fired a 40-yard RD pass to Cam Ingram, and Edge Weeks ran for a 60-yard touchdown.
BRAYDEN HUEBNER, LEROY: Completed 11-of-16 passes for 154 yards and two TDs and rushed for 43 yards and two more scores in defending Class 1A state champion Leroy’s 40-18 Class 1A quarterfinal win over Brantley (8-5). The Bears (12-0) will host unbeaten Elba (13-0) in the semifinals Friday.
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