Claims AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week Zero
MONTGOMERY – Pike Road High School senior Jordan Holmes opened the 2025 football season with quite a performance last week at the AHSAA Kickoff Classic football clash between his Patriots and the Prattville Lions.
He had three interceptions and a touchdown and caught nine passes for 141 yards and another touchdown to give his team a 21-14 Pike Road win at Cramton Bowl. He also earned the AHSAA Week Zero AHSAA Football Spotlight.
Jordan had three interceptions on defense – the first one coming early in the game when he leaped in front of a Lions receiver at the 50-yard line to bat the Prattville past in front of him as he streaked toward his own goal line. He secured the ball snug in his clutches about 10 yards down the field and raced into the end zone to give his team the lead.
He came bac with two more picks – one he returned more than 80 yards inside the Prattville 15-yard line. That interception return was called back for a block in the back where he caught the ball at the Patriots’ 13-yard line. It still snuffed out what was looking like Prattville’s best drive of the first half.
Then, late in the game – after the Lions had tied the game at 14-all, Holmes, lining up at wide receiver, made sensational catch in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown reception for what turned to be the winning score with 1:16 remaining.
The Patriots, coached by Granger Shook, played well on offense and defense –Patriots of Coach Granger Shook the win.
Quarterback Gunner Gibbs was 20-of-30 passing for 197 yards with a 40-yard pass to Omari Smith, who had six catches for 61 yards. Elias Holtsclaw added three catches for 23 yards – with a TD reception for 26 yards.
Prattville (0-1), coached by Bobby Carr, struggled early but battled back thanks to the outstanding play of its special teams. Punter Paxton Genola had five punts for a 48.6-yard average with his first kick traveling 68 yards.
Holmes’ play in the season-opening 19th annual Kickoff Classic edged out a number of top performances last weekend. Most notable was the play of Jaylen Ganger of Class 3A Sheffield High School in Tuscumbia. rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, added a TD pass reception and punt return for another score to finish with six scores in a 70-36 victory over Decatur Heritage. The Class 3A Bulldogs of Coach Michael Parker and Class 2A Eagles combined for 106 points in the season-opening game.
And at Spring Garden High School, Brady Ruark made his first start for the Panthers in the season opener versus Sand Rock. The junior rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries as the Panthers outscored Sand Rock 44-28 in the season opener. Senior tailback Clayton Sadler added 155 yards on 22 carries and also scored three TDs.
The game was an emotional one for Spring Garden, said sportswriter Shannon Fagan. He said the team learned not long before the game Spring Garden sisters Lilly and Libby McCain had been killed in a car accident earlier that afternoon. Both had been schoolmates with the players on the team.
Lilly, who played softball at Spring Garden, graduated last May and was already attending Jacksonville State University.
“We’ve got to play this game, but as soon as it’s over, we’ve got to flip a switch and be a loving neighbor, be a loving classmate, and be supportive,” Spring Garden coach Barrett Ragsdale said he told his players. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the McCain family. I was proud of how our guys came out here and handled the football game.”
In other top performances last week:
MILESTONES
CY DILIAPREE, ONEONTA: Rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and nabbed a 66-yard touchdown pass as the Redskins Ran 11 times for 206 yards and 3 TDs and caught a 66-yard scoring pass in the win over Locust Fork. The victory was the school’s 729th all-time win – which ranks second to T.R. Miller (739). TR Miller beat Reeltown 35-21 Friday night to up its all-time record to 739-336-20. Oneonta’s all-time record improved to 729-376-33 with last week’s victory.
Other schools posting milestone wins included Class 6A Fort Payne and Class 1A Addison – each notching their 600th wins. Fort Payne (600-411-30) edged Scottsboro 21-19, and Addison (600-309-13) toppled Winston County 41-20.
Class 7A defending state champion Thompson also beat Carver-Montgomery 37-6 to notch its 499th overall win. The Warriors 499-391-14 since fielding their first team in 1928. Coach Mark Freeman has coached 106 of those wins since 2015 compiling a 106-23 overall record during that span with five Class 7A state titles over the last six years.
Hall-of-Fame coach Larry Simmons (98-32-1) led Thompson to its only other state crown (1982) during his coaching which spanned from 1971-1982. He served the school has principal for two decades. Rickey Seale, who quarterbacked Thompson to a 10-1 record in 1972, ranks third all-time with a 96-81 record as head coach from 1988-2004.
MALACHI GRANT, OPELIKA: Produced a sack on fourth down inside his team’s 30-yard line late in the game to seal Opelika’s 25-20 win over Benjamin Russell. The victory spoiled the Wildcats’ head-coaching debut of Kirk Johnson. The former Montgomery-Catholic head coach, who led the Knights to the Class 4A state title in 2003 with a 15-0 record and to the Class 5A state championship last season with a 14-0 slate, came into Friday’s contest with a 55-2 career record including a 39-0 slate in regular-season games as Catholic’s head coach from 20021-2024.
PIEDMONT TAKES SERIES LEAD IN BATTLE ON HIGHWAY 9: Quarterback Cole Austin helped the Bulldogs beat Cherokee County 24-8 in the Battle on Highway 9 with 144 yards rushing on 20 carries and completed 11-of-14 passes for 93 yards and another TD. The win snapped the series tie between the two schools. Piedmont now holds a 40-39 edge in the rivalry. The schools have tied in the series three times. Cherokee County won the series’ first game 20-0. From 1996-2009, the Warriors won 8-of-10. Since then, Piedmont has won 12-of-14. The two teams did not play from 2004-2007 and 2018 and 2019.
DESHLER WINS WITH FOURTH-QUARTER DRIVE: With time running out, the Tigers culminated a clutch fourth-quarter drive in the final minutes with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Price Thornton to Brady Richey to beat Russellville 15-14. The TD pulled Deshler to within one point, and Garrett Reid scored the game-winning two-point conversion as the Tigers clinched their 49th win in the 99th meeting with their oldest running rivalry. Deshler holds a 48-46-4 edge in the series which was first played in 1923.
RUSHING
MO WINSTON, RANDOLPH COUNTY: Opened the 2025 season with 263 yards rushing on 13 carries and scored five touchdowns – four scoring runs covering 54, 16, 78 and 67 yards. He also added an 85-yard kickoff for a TD in Randoph County’s 44-21 win over Woodland.
KIERVIN HOUSTON, STRAUGHN: Had 13 carries for 260 yards and two TDs in a 30-12 win over Highland Home.
JACK SENTELL, GAYLESVILLE: Ran for 242 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 30-6 win at Donoho. His scoring runs covered 88, 36 and 52 yards.
J.B. POTTER, ASHVILLE: Piled up 242 rushing yards on 21 carries and passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 27-21 win over Springville. He totaled 389 yards for the game. Teammate Jamon Williams also ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns and caught touchdown pass.
JAXON PENN, MARS HILL BIBLE Top of Form
: Rushed for 170 yards and five touchdowns in 51-27 win over Madison Academy to open the 2025 season. His TDs covered 3, 59, 1, 1 and 62 yards. He also had two pass receptions for 50 yards, and on serving on special teams, he had two kickoff returns for 56 yards. He finished the night with 276 all-purpose yards, and he turned in 11 tackles on defense.
BRADEN GILLILAND, APPALACHIAN: Had 25 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 25-0 shutout win over Holly Pond.
PRESLEY FANT, BOAZ: Rushed 30 times for 218 yards and scored all four touchdowns in the Pirates’ 28-7 season-opening win over Madison Academy. His TD runs covered 8, 11, 3 and 18 yards.
SPENCER UNRUH, CORNER; The husky runner picked up right where he left off in 2024 in the Yellow Jackets’ 34-20 win over Winfield. He ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and also had a 15-yard pass reception.
JOHNWIL SPRUIEL, SULLIGENT: Opened the season with a workhorse effort totaling 28 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 22-14 victory over Marion County.
ELIJAH ROBERTS, ADDISON: The Bulldogs’ quarterback rushed for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries and passed for a TD in Addison’s 41-6 win over Winston County to start the 2025 season. Teammate Seth Hammack also had 100 yards and three scores on 11 carries. The victory was the 600th in school history.
JAYLIN WRIGHT, EUFAULA: Accounted for 252 yards and three touchdowns in leading Eufaula to a 32-18 win over Booker T. Washington. Wright rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown and was 5-of-12 passing for threw for 56 yards and two TDs.
ISAIAH BENNETT, SIPSEY VALLEY: Gained 195 yards on 10 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead his team to a 69-6 win over Greene County.
JAKE HARPER, FAIRVIEW: Totaled 191 yards rushing and four scores on 13 carries in Fairview’s 48-0 win over Fultondale.
ETHAN JONES, OAK GROVE: Managed to gain 190 yards on 13 carries in the Tigers’ eason-opening 40-3 victory over Weaver.
JAMARION WILLIAMS, GENEVA COUNTY: Gained 184 yards rushing on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 20-12 win over Pleasant Home.
JAILEN WHEELER, BAKER: The Hornets’ running back had 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a 42-31 win over Theodore. He also scored a third TD on a 9-yard pass reception.
CAMERON HAMMONDS, FAYETTEVILLE: Sparked the Class 1A Wolves to a 35-28 win over Class 3A Childersburg with 183 yards rushing and one TD on 22 carries.
MICAH HARDY, ROBERTSDALE: Rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown on 25 rush attempts to lead the Golden Bears past LeFlore 31-20.
JAMRION SMTH, ABBEVILLE: The Jackets running back had 175 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries in Abbeville’s 42-14 loss to Beulah.
JAXON PENN, MARS HILL BIBLE Top of Form
: Rushed for 170 yards and five touchdowns in 51-27 win over Madison Academy to open the 2025 season. His TDs covered 3, 59, 1, 1 and 62 yards.
JACCARIOUS DAVIS, LEEDS: Managed 170 yards rushing and three TDs on 24 carries as the Green Wave beat Mortimer Jordan 45-28.
ELI HARRIS, HAMILTON: Totaled 169 yards rushing and four scores in a 42-13 victory over Hale County.
LAYTON POHL, NEW HOPE: The offensive standout had 11 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns while hauling in two catches for 37 yards and a score as New Hope beat Ohatchee 43-32 on Friday.
JAYSHAUN WOODHOUSE, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Opened his junior season with a sensational 95-yard touchdown run and finished the 59-16 win over Pinson Valley with four carries, 116 yards and two scores.
BROOKS ZACHARY, LEE-SCOTT: Rushed for four touchdowns in Lee-Scott’s 40-20 season-opening win over Alabama Christian. His TD runs covered 65, 22, 5 and 71 yards.
PASSING
LINCOLN SMOTHERS, JASPER: Totaled 357 yards for the Vikings in a 41-6 win over Brookwood. The Jasper quarterback was 9-of-13 passing for 222 yards and two TDs and rushed four times for 135 yards and two scores. His rushing TDs covered 76 and 35 yards, and his passing scores covered 39 yards to Brodey Garrett and 57 yards to Tamarcus Parham.
SHAMAR TOODLE, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Had 323 yards total offense to lead the Warriors past Washington County 47-26 in the season opener. He was 19-of-23 passing for 234 yards and three touchdowns, and he also rushed for 89 yards and a fourth score on eight carries.
DYLAN REESE, PARKER: Passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns p\on a 16-of-23 passing performance as the defending Class 6A state champions defeated Ramsay 41-13.
BROCK BRADLEY, SPAIN PARK: Led the Jaguars to a 48-21 win over Sparkman with a 16-of-24 passing performance totaling 330 yards and four touchdowns.
BRYSON RIGGINS, RUSSELL COUNTY: Was 17-of-25 passing for 303 yards and four TDs to lead the Warriors past Carroll of Ozark 42-13. He also rushed for 62 yards on four carries for 62 yards and a fifth TD.
TRENT SEABORN, THOMPSON: Was 18-of-28 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns as the defending Class 7A Warriors downed Carver-Montgomery 37-6.
ELAM MAYSON, NORTHRIDGE: Was 14-of-20 passing for 270 yards and two TDs in the Eagles’ 59-3 win over Tallassee.
GAGE DAVIS, FLORALA: Turned in a big game in the season opener completing 14-of-20 passes for 268 yards and two TDs in a 48-20 loss to Monroe County.
REID McBRIDE, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Threw for 268 yards completing 14-of-20 passes and had two TDs in the Eagles’ 59-3 win over Tallassee.
SAM GARRISON, SUSAN MOORE: Accounted for 355 total yards and four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ season-opening 44-28 loss to J.B. Pennington. He passed for 209 yards and two scores, and he rushed for 146 yards and two additional TDs. He tacked on nine tackles on defense.
JOEY ROSS, ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Was 9-for-11 passing with 282 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 119 yards and another TD on 12 tries as the Falcons downed Elkmont 62-27. He finished with 401 total yards.
KELLEN STEWART, CHARLES HENDERSON: The Trojans quarterback was 9-of-25 passing for 282 yards and one TD in a 51-27 loss to Chelsea.
HOLDEN PAWLIK, CARROLL: Finished 20-of-32 passing for 278 yards and two scores in 42-14 setback to Russell County.
LANDON SMITH, ST. CLAIR COUNTY: Turned in a 16-of-21 passing effort for 276 yards and three TDs in s 61-21 win over Jemison.
GAKOBEY GILL, BOB JONES: The Patriots’ quarterback completed 22-of-32 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-3 win over Cullman.
HOUSTON SCOTT, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Opened the season with a 19-of-29 passing effort for 267 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-34 victory over East Limestone.
KINGSTON PREYEAR, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Was 12-of-20 passing for 246 yards and two TDs in a 25-20 setback to Class 7A Opelika.
DAYTON COBB, CARBON HILL: Passed for 241 yards and two TDs on a 21-of-37 performance in a 36-14 loss to Curry.
GUNNER RIVERS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: The junior quarterback was 25-of-33 passing for 240 yards and five touchdowns as the Cardinals downed Bayside Academy 41-10 in the season opener.
JAYCE GIBBS, GASTON: Was 10-of-17 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns to lead Gaston past Asbury 34-6.
KALEB CARRON, HOMEWOOD: Led the Patriots to a 51-7 victory over John Carroll with a 13-of-20 passing effort for 227 yards and four TDs.
GUNNER GIBBS, PIKE ROAD: Helped the Patriots defeat Prattville 21-14 in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic big-school game with a 20-of-30 passing performance that totaled 222 yards and two TDs.
CALEB FOREMAN, VALLEY: Was 16-of-19 passing for 222 yards and one TD in Valley’s 20-14 win over Glenwood.
ALEC ASHLEY, SAND ROCK: Passed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-20 passing effort and added 54 rushing yards on six carries in a 44-28 loss to Spring Garden.
WHIT GOODWIN, RUSSELLVILLE: Goodwin was 21-of-30 passing for 217 yards and both his team’s touchdowns in a nail-biting 15-14 loss to Deshler.
TOMMIE BURTS, MINOR: Passed for 216 yards and four touchdowns on a 10-of-18 passing effort in the Tigers’ 46-0 win over Dora.
PEARCE YEARGAN, MAPLESVILLE: Opened the season with a 35-6 victory over Fyffe in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic with Yeargan completing 16-of-24 passes for 213 yards and two TDs. Eli Hubbert had six catches and one TD on an 11-yard pass, and Colby Mitchell had four catches including a 19-yard scoring reception.
WELSEY CREEL, NEW BROCKTON: Completed 6-of-13 passes for 213 yards and two TDs in a 24-7 win over Pike Liberal Arts. He tacked on a 60-yard TD run.
MASON BURKHARDT, ENTERPRISE: Burkhardt accounted for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the Class 7A Wildcats’ 31-10 season-opening win over Andalusia. He completed 9-of-14 passes for 133 yards and rushed for 79 yards and three TDs on 11 carries.
AARON BEASLEY, DALE COUNTY: Was 11-of-25 passing for 181 yards and one TD in a 33-20 loss to Headland.
CHRISTIAN SEGAR, DAPHNE: Passed for 179 yards and three touchdowns, including a 31-yard touchdown strike to C.J. Gardner with eight seconds remaining to set up the game-winning two-point conversion as Daphne squeaked out a dramatic 29-28 win over McGill-Toolen Catholic.
STREET SMITH, GUNTERSVILLE: Was a near-perfect 11-of-12 passing for 161 yards, including two TD tosses, as the Wildcat beat Southside 31-14. The victory was No. 600 in Fort Payne’s football history.
CARTER LEE, HARTSELLE: The Tigers’ quarterback was 10-of-14 passing for 175 yards and two TDs in a 39-7 season-opening win over Class 7A Austin.
JUDSON BAILEY, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Rolled up 247 total yards and four touchdowns in the Raider’ 35-26 season-opening win over G.W. Long. He rushed for 116 and two TDs on 12 carries. He was also 10-of-19 passing for 131 yards and two more touchdowns.
CHARLIE TAFFE, VESTAVIA HILLS: Completed 7-of-14 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rebels to a 49-7 victory over Westside (S.C.). Taffe also rushed for 96 yards and two more scores on eight carries.
PASS RECEIVING
COREY BARBER, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Snagged four pass receptions for 188 yards and 2 TDs and returned a punt 41 yards for a score in the Clougar42-15 season-opening win over Hueytown.
DOMINIQUE HEARD, GASTON: Caught six passes for 180 yards and three TDs as Gaston opened the season beating Asbury 34-6.
CEDARIAN MORGAN, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Caught seven passes for 177 yards and one TD in the Wildcat s’ 25-20 loss to Opelika.
B.J. CARTER, BOB JONES: Had four catches for 169 yards and three scores to help the Patriots beat Cullman 28-3
JAIDEN AYERS, BRINDLEE MOUNTAIN: Totaled four receptions for 163 yards and three TDs in a close 21-18 setback to DAR.
ANTHONY SILAR, NEW BROCKTON: Hauled in three passes for 161 yards and two scores and also accounted for a 60-yard rushing TD in the Gamecocks’ 24-7 win over Pike Liberal Arts. He also had three tackles and an interception on defense.
MASON McCLURE, SPAIN PARK: Had five pass receptions for 137 yards and three TDs in the Jaguars’ 48-21 victory over Sparkman.
DYLAN McDANIEL, CEDAR BLUFF: Caught three passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers’ 35-19 victory over Valley Head. Quarterback Kuper Bradley was 9-of-12 passing for 184 yards – with the duo hooking up for TDS covering 32, 16 and 85 yards. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak to Valley Head.
JUNIOR SMITH, DALE COUNTY: Had six receptions for 130 yards and snagged a 55-yard TD pass from in the Warriors’ 33-20 loss to Headland.
LUCAS BEARD, SUSAN MOORE: Had four receptions for 127 yards and one score in a 44-28 loss to J.B. Pennington.
PRYCE LEWIS, THOMPSON: Caught six passes for 119 yards to spark the defending Class 7A Warriors to 37-6 win over Carver-Montgomery. The victory was the 499th in the Alabaster school’s history. Thompson is 499-39-14 according to the historical website AHSFHS.org.
BRENDON LINDSEY, SAND ROCK: Caught three passes for 102 yards with a 56-yard touchdown in the Wildcats’ 44-28 loss to Spring Garden.
JORDAN KINSEY, HEADLAND: Caught an 88-yard TD pass from Ashton Trammell to lead the Rams past Dale County 33-20.
DEFENSE
ASHTON TRAMMELL, HEADLAND: Trammel was in on 20 tackles, including nine solos and two tackles for losses, in leading the Class 5A Rams to a 33-20 win over Class rival Dale County. He also threw for 88 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 56 yards and a TD.
CALEB MASSEY, BILLINGSLEY: Totaled 16 tackles in a 22-0 win over Greensboro.
TRISON KILPATRICK, KINSTON: Accounted for 16 tackles in a 28-0 loss to Zion Chapel.
RYDER GIPSON, FYFFE: Managed 15 tackles in the Red Devils’ 35-6 loss to Maplesville in the Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl.
CHARLES CHAPPELLE, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Had 14 tackles in the Wildcats’ 25-20 loss to Opelika.
CASEY JUSTICE, DECATUR: Opened the season with a game-high 14 tackles in a 28-7 loss to Buckhorn.
JARED BUTTS, GAYLESVILLE: Managed 13 tackles in the Class 1A Trojans’ season-opening 30-6 win over Donoho.
JAYLEN GRIFFIN, DALE COUNTY: Had 13 tackles and teammate Junior Smith had nine tackles, including a sack, in the Warriors’ 33-20 loss to Headland. Griffin also rushed for 123 yards and one TD on offense, and Smith had six pass receptions for 130 yards and one score.
BRIAN ROBINSON, G.W. LONG: Robinson had a hand in 11 tackles and also recovered a fumble in the Rebels’35-26 loss to Houston Academy.
ZAY JOHNSON, ASHFORD: Swiped two interceptions, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown, and added four tackles in a 32-15 win over Rehobeth. He also subbed at quarterback and rushed for 68 yards on four carries with a TD. Teammate Zorren Peterson also had an interception he returned for 70 yards for a touchdown and finished with 10 tackles for Ashford.
JAOB BELL, CORNER: Had two interceptions – returning one for a and finishing with 115 total interception return yards– as the Yellow Jackets downed Winfield 34-0.
ELIJAH MALONE, GULF SHORES: Had two picks in the Dolphins’ 21-14 loss to Choctawhatchee (FL). He returned one of his interceptions for a TD.
FORD COLE, NORTHRIDGE: Swiped two passes, returning one for a score, in a 41-21 win over Calera.
LUKE BREWER, ASHVILLE: Had 10 tackles in the Bulldogs’ 27-21 victory over Springville.
GAVIN WHITSIDE, ENTRPRISE: Totaled 10 tackles, including one for a loss, in the Wildcats’ 31-10 win over Andalusia. Teammate Walker Turner also had nine tackles, a sack and fumble recovery.
SAWYER MISSIDINE, COTTONWOOD: Led the Bears’ defense with 10 stops in a 14-14 tie at Randolph-Clay (GA).
DONTEZ BLAND, ABBEVILLE: Had 10 tackles, with three resulting in losses, in Abbeville’s 42-14 loss to Beulah.
ISAIAH OWENS, MARS HILL BIBLE: The Panthers’ defensive back intercepted a pass and raced 77 yards for a touchdown as Mars Hill posted a 51-27 victory over Madison Academy. Owens scored three touchdowns on interceptions in 2024.
TRISTAN LYLES, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Had one sack for a 9-yard loss in the Red Devils’ 59-16 win over Central-Phenix City – bringing him just six sacks shy of breaking the school record set by current Clemson University defensive end T.J. Parker.
DEITRIC YOUNG, WOODLAWN: Totaled eight tackles, including one for a loss, and he picked off a pass returning it for a touchdown in the Colonels’ 15-12 setback at Shades Valley,
DAVIAN SINEGAL, BUCKHORN: The Bucks’ defensive standout intercepted two passes, five tackles, two for losses, and also scored a touchdown in a 27-12 win over Decatur.
SAM STIDHAM, APPALACHIAN: Raced 64 yards for a touchdown with an interception in the Eagle’ 25-0 victory over Holly Pond.
BRAYDEN CLIFTON, SARALAND: Recovered two Jackson fumbles to lead Saraland to a 17-6 win over the defending Class 4A state champion Aggies. The Spartans forced five turnovers in the win.
HAYDEN TUCKER, CEDAR BLUFF: Had seven tackles, including two for losses, to lead the Tigers’ defense in the 35-19 win over Valley Head.
CONNOR CHILDS, GENEVA COUNTY: Had an interception, fumble recovery and seven tackles in the Bulldogs’ 20-12 win over Pleasant Home.
KINSON JONES, DOTHAN: Recorded a sack among his seven tackles and returned an interception 25 yards for a TD as the Wolves downed Layton Chiles (FL) 42-17 in the season opener. Ja’Davious Lemene also had nine tackles with one stop behind the line of scrimmage.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PAXTON GENOLA, PRATTVILLE: Drilled his first punt of the season 68 yards and finished the night with five kicks and a 48.6-yard average in the Lions’ 21-14 loss to Pike Road at the AHSAA Kickoff Classic. Genola also had three kicks that were fair-caught after sailing inside the Patriots’ 15-yard line. His 68-yarder ranks 17th all-time in the AHSAA Record Book.
AYDEN HEINRICH, GAYLESVILLE: Started the 2025 season with a bang returning the opening kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown in the Trojans’ 30-6 victory over Donoho. He also had nine tackles and an interception on defense in the win.
KHATORI MARION, BAKER: Had three kickoff returns for 135 yards – including a 90-yard jaunt for a TD in the Hornets’ 42-31 victory over Theodore. He also had three punt returns for 23 total yards giving him 168 return yards on the night. His longest punt return was for 29 yards.
FRISCO ROBERTSON, WADLEY: Touched the ball only three times in defending Class 1A state champion Wadley’s 46-0 win over B.B. Comer, and he scored three touchdowns. He returned a punt 41 yards for a special team TD and caught two passes for touchdowns covering 34 and 37 yards.
AIJALON SANDERS, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: The sophomore returned a Pinson Valley onside-kick attempt 70 yards for a TD in Central’s 59-16 victory over Pinson Valley.
CAYSON McELRATH, VALLEY HEAD: Returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score in the first half of the Tigers’ 35-19 loss at Cedar Bluff.
QUINTAVIOUS ROGERS, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Dashed 62 yards on a kickoff return for a touchdown with 6:39 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 24-8 loss at Piedmont on Friday.
ALEX LIVELY, JAMES CLEMENS: The wide receiver and return specialist had 120 kickoff return yards, 38 punt return yards, and 66 yards receiving for 224 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ 35-21 win over Gardendale.
KAM COTTON, DALE COUNTY: Returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and had 10 tackles on defense in the Warriors’ 33-20 loss to Headland.
LOGA HAGLER, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN: Had four punts for a 40.0 average, and teammate Craig Pittman had three kicks for a 39.3-yard average in the Eagles’ 20-14 win over Wicksburg.
JOSE SEGURA, ENTERPRISE: Connected on a 31-yard field goal and converted all four extra-point attempts in the Wildcats’ 31-10 win over Andalusia.
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