AHSAA Week 7 Football Spotlight

MONTGOMERY – Two defensive backs share this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight.
And for good reason. Straughn High School defensive back Parker Black and Geraldine High School’s Jon Beck Wade each managed three interceptions as both teams posted big wins in Class 3A.
    Black, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior for the Tigers of Coach Ashley Kilcrease, returned two of his picks for touchdowns covering 43 and 52 yards as Straughn beat New Brockton 42-12 in Class 3A, Region 2 to improve to 5-0 in region play. He now has five interceptions on the season.
    Geraldine High School beat Westbrook Christian 30-7 in a Region 6 contest thanks in big part to Beck, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound eighth grader. He returned one pick 102 yards for a touchdown in the second half – helping the Bulldogs break open a game that was 14-7 at the half.  Geraldine (6-1), coached by  Michael Davis, improved to 4-1 in Class 3A, Region 6  with the win. Westbrook Christian (3-4), coached by Steve Smith, dropped to 1-4 in Region 6.
    Beck’s return was the longest in the AHSAA since Autaugaville’s Kenneth Brown and Lexington’s Wyatt Prado each returned interceptions 100 yards for scores in the 2022 season. The state record belongs to Notasulga’s Jimmy Pitts and Demopolis’ Tommy Wilson, who had 108-yard returns in 2018 and 2012, respectively.
    Both defensive backs edged out a clutch performance by Florence High School quarterback Leo Glover, who delivered in the clutch three times as Florence edged Huntsville 23-20 in two overtimes.  His 10-yard touchdown pass to Amadric Tensley won the game in the second overtime. In the fourth quarter, his 37-yard TD pass to Kedrick Triplett tied the game at 10-10 and sent the Class 7A, Region 4 battle into overtime. He had a 1-yard sneak for a TD in the first extra period to give his team the lead 17-10. Jacks McClung of Huntsville score on an 8-yard keeper to knot the game again 17-17.
    Other top performances reported from week 7 include:

MILESTONES
BRENDAN CONNER, CORNER: Accounted for 226 yards and four touchdowns in the Jackets’ 42-13 victory over Oak Grove in 4A, Region 5 as the Yellow Jackets (7-0) opened the season with seven straight victories for the first time in school history.
    Conner’s performance didn’t dampen an the reunion of Oak Grove’s 1983 football team, which was honored prior to the game. That team captured the 1983 Class 2A state championship. The Tigers’  27 players,  coached by Ronnie Gilliland, now deceased, beat Cottonwood 6-3 in championship game played at Oak Grove with almost eight inches of rain falling during the contest in the finals – when championship games were still being hosted by one of the two teams playing. Oak Grove team captain Greg Hoven was among those attending Friday’s celebration.
    He intercepted his 16^th pass of the 1983 season to set a state record that night – and helped preserve Oak Grove’s only state football title in history.
   In Friday’s game, Corner used a balanced offense with Conner completing 9-of-14 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, adding 108 rushing yards on nine carries with three more scores. Carlin Austin had eight tackles on defense, including three for-loss and a sack while C.J. Brown had 11 tackles.
CAMERON JENNINGS, PARKER: Moved into the quarterback slot when starter Malik Muhammed was injured. Jennings then drove the Thundering Herd 80 yards on a 16-play drive for the winning TD as Parker beat Mountain Brook for the first time in eight tries 13-10 in a key Class 6A,  Region 5 battle. Na’eem Offord scored the winning TD on a 1-yard run with 34 seconds remaining. Jennings kept the drive alive, however, picking up a key first down by scooping up a teammate’s fumble in the final minute of play and advancing the ball past the chains for the first down.
MYLES KHATRI, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Had nine tackles, four for losses, and an interception as the Knights  (8-0) won 32^nd straight regular season game with a 38-0 win over Bullock County in 4A, Region 2. The shutout was also the fifth in a row and sixth this season for Catholic – which leads the state allowing just 18 points all season for a 2.3 ppg average.
PEYTON FLOYD, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Known more for his passing ability, the senior QB rushed for 257 yards and five touchdowns as the Huskies beat Vestavia Hills 55-27 in  Class 7A, Region 3. He was also 18-of-23 passing for 169 yards and sixth TD – giving him 426 total yards and six TDs accounted for.
JALEN CORBITT, DOTHAN: Caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minutes to lift the Wolves to a 21-14 win over Enterprise in 7A, Region 2. With the score tied at 14 all, quarterback Sam Broadway passed  to Jaden Barnes in the backfield, and he completed the double pass play with a perfect strike to Corbitt for a 70-yard TD strike. The winning score came on the  first play from scrimmage after Enterprise’s Eric Winters had streaked 78 yards for a TD to tie the game.
CLAY-CHALKVILLE SCORES 51 IN FIRST QUARTER: The unbeaten Cougars (7-0) downed Huffman 72-0 scoring 51 points in the first quarter and leading 65-0 at the half. The 51 points in one quarter rank fourth all-time according to the AHSAA Record Book  behind

behind Maplesville and Homewood, which scored 55 each in the first quarter of wins over Barbour County (2021) and Ramsay (2012), respectively, and 54 by Thomasville in a 2014 victory over Gulf Shores.
   Last week’s results produced five games that totaled more than 100 points scored by both teams including Gardendale over Minor 61-49 (110); St. John Paul II beating New Hope 67-38 (105); Deshler over Central-Florence 57-47 (104); Dora beating Hamilton 62-40 (102); and Coosa Christian over Cedar Bluff 94-7 (101). 
Tanner and Lexington totaled 98 in the Rattlers’ 64-34 win; Arab and Boaz totaled 98 in the Knights’ 63-35 victory; Jasper and Carver-Birmingham combined for 92 points in the Vikings’ 50-42 win; Pike Road and Russell County totaled 90 points in the Patriots’ 63-27 win. 

RUSHING
JAYDEN GILBERT, CLEMENTS: Ran for 350 yards and five touchdowns and threw a pair of TD passes in a 47-12 win over Elkmont in Class 3A, Region 8. It marked the third time this season he has rushed for more than 300 yards.

KOLTON NERO, FOLEY: Rushed for 289 yards and three TDs on 22 carries as Foley pulled away from Alma Bryant in the fourth quarter for a35-22 victory in Class 7A, Region 1.

RI FLETCHER, HARTSELLE: Turned in a clutch performance with 267 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a key 21-14 victory over Athens in Class 6A, Region 7.
ROCK SAINSBURY, WEST END: Ran for 277 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-24 win over Holly Pond in Class 2A, Region 6.

A.J. LOWE, SULLIGENT:  Gained 246 yards and accounted  for five touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils to a 48-6 win over rival Lamar County in Class 2A, Region 6. He had 12 carries for 196 yards and three TDs – giving him 1,420 rushing yards and 22 TDs on 131 carries for the season. He also scored on a 48-yard pass reception and 65-yard interception return in the win.
ALVIN HENDERSON, ELBA: The junior running back upped his career touchdown total to 103 (99 rushing) with 226 yards and four TDs on 22 carries as the Tigers (7-0) took sole possession of first place in 1A, Region 2 with a 38-6 win over Georgiana. He has had at least 12 touchdowns between 50 and 97 yards during his career already.
DAVID ORTIZ-RAMIREZ, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Gained 207 yards on 18 rushing attempts and scored one TD as ACA beat Prattville Christian 44-14 in 3A, Region 3.  Teammate Charles Snipes also scored five touchdowns in the win.
TRISTAN SMITH, DALE COUNTY: Ran for 205 yards on 32 carries with two touchdowns, including a game-winning 5-yard run with 45 seconds left, to give the Warriors a 37-30 win over Genev in 4A, Region 2. He also caught two passes for 38 yards, including an 18-yard TD catch, and ran in a 2-point conversion.

BRAYLON MORRIS, COTTONWOOD: Accounted for seven touchdowns to lead Cottonwood (6-0) to a 48-15 victory over G.W. Long in Class 2A, Region 2. He rushed for 204 yards and six touchdowns and added 49 yards passing with an 11-yard TD pass.

TAE FUQUA, DESHLER: Had 193 yards rushing and two touchdowns – both coming in the fourth quarter, as the Tigers downed Central-Florene 57-47 in Class 4A, Region 7.
JORDAN GODSEY, LAMAR COUNTY: Picked up 191 yards rushing on 17 carries and scored the  Bulldogs’ lone touchdown in a 48-6 loss to Sulligent in 2A, Region 5.
AJ. GREEN, THOMPSON: Had seven carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns, three Warriors QBs combined for four touchdowns and four-time defending Class 7A state champion Thompson beat Oak Mountain 68-7 in Region 3 to set a school single-game points record.
TREVOR PIKE, PIEDMONT: Ran for 171 yards on just four carries and scored two touchdowns covering 48 and 70 yards as the Bulldogs beat Glencoe 58-12 on homecoming night in 3A, Region 6.
GAVIN FUQUA, AUSTIN: Piled up 167 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries in a 28-7 win over James Clemens in Class 7A, Region 4.

SHAMARION LANDRUM, BUCKHORN: Managed 158 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 29 carries in a 34-22 win over Lee-Huntsville in Class 6A, Region 8.

JACOB CORNEJO, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Had 32 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Fultondale in Class 4A, Region 6 for the unbeaten Warriors (7-0). He also tossed a 22-yard pass to Ben Moseley for a third touchdown.
JAVIAN MOSLEY, ALICEVILLE: Gained 145 rushing yards on five carries and scored three touchdowns in a 58-14 Class 2A, Region 5 victory over Cold Springs.
CONNOR BATES, SPRING GARDEN: Led the Panthers to a 39-14 victory over Pleasant Valley with 11 rush attempts for 144 yards and  two touchdowns covering 19 and 45 yards. Spring Garden ran for 450 total yards in the win with John Welsh adding 132 yards on four carries with TDs on runs covering 55 and 70 yards. Chapel Pope contributed 91 yards on 16 carries and scored on a 4-yard run.
TYREN WASHINGTON, BOB JONES: Keyed the Patriots’ big 31-13 victory over Sparkman in Class 7A, Region 7 with 34 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He also converted a pair of 2-point conversion runs.
E.J. CROWELL, JACKSON: Had five touchdowns, three rushing and two receiving, as the unbeaten Aggies (6-0) beat Satsuma 49-6 in Class 4A, Region 1. He rushed for 113 yards on just six carries and caught passes for 46 yards – averaging 19.9 yards per touch.
JAXON WILLIAMS, HEADLAND: Led the Rams to a 52-22 victory over Carroll in Class 5A, Region 2 with four touchdowns, two rushing and two passing. He finished with 181 total yards.
 

PASSING
D.J. WADE, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Completed 20-of-35 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns in a 50-44 loss to Jasper in 5A, Region 5.
 

KAI YOUNG, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Was 21-of-29 passing for 334 yards and six touchdowns in a 44-31 win against West Blocton in Class 4A, Region 3.
KAYDYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Was 12-of-15 passing for 298 yards and four touchdowns Raiders’ 42-7 Class 3A, Region 2 win over Northside Methodist.

AARON MARTIN, MIDFIELD: Was 10-of-14 passing for 296 yards and six touchdowns in the Patriots’ 50-13 Class 3A, Region 5 victory over Tarrant.

WILL MYERS, HOMEWOOD: Rolled up 325 total yards with a 24-of-30 passing performance for 223 yards and 102 rushing yards on 15 carries to lead the Patriots past Chilton County 34-13 in Class 6A, Region 3 for their fourth straight win. He scored four rushing TDs.
DEON MOORE, CENTER POINT: Led the Eagles to 32-19 victory over Pinson Valley in Class 6A, Region 6 with a 15-of-20 passing effort for 288 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 126 yards on 15 carries to finish with 414 total yards had an interception on defense.
ERIC HANDLEY, PLEASANT GROVE: Completed 19-of-21 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-6 win over Fairfield in 5A, Region 5.  He upped his season passing totals to 104-of-150 for 1,753 yards and 16 TDs with just two interceptions.
TERRELL RUSSELL, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Passed for 277 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-7 Class 6A, Region 2 win over Wetumpka with a 16-0f028 passing performance.
CORNELIUS HUDSON, WOODLAWN: Completed 20-of-40 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns, added nine carries for 70 yards and another TD as the Colonels beat Jackson-Olin 38-36 in Class 6A, Region 5.
MAC BEASON, GARDENDALE: Passed for 262 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rockets to a 61-59 win over Minor in Class 6A, Region 5. He also rushed for 93 yards on six carries for a fourth score.
AMARI YELDING, B.C. RAIN: Passed for 236 yards and five TDs as the Red Raiders defeated UMS-Wright 31-21 in a Class 5A, Region 1 battle.

CRAIG PITTMAN, PROVIDENCE CHRISTAN: Was 10-of-18 passing for 259 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles beat Pike County 46-26 in Class 3A, Region 2.
BROWNING ANDERSON, EUFAULA: Completed 18-of-27 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ 51-31 loss to Charles Henderson.

JOHN DAVID JUSTUS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Completed 13-of-23 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 110 yards and three more scores as the Conquerors beat Cedar Bluff 94-7.
MASON STEWART, ZION CHAPEL: Was 8-of-11 passing for 239 yards and a touchdown and added 122 yards rushing and a touchdown as Zion Chapel beat Geneva County 18-0 in 2A, Region 2. He also had eight tackles on defense, including three for losses.
K.J. JACKSON, SAINT JAMES: Accounted for seven touchdowns to lead the defending Class 3A state champion Trojans to a 47-8 win over previously unbeaten Trinity Presbyterian in Class 3A, Region 3. He was 11-of-19 passing for 237 yards and four touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 54 yards and three scores.
LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: Led the Aggie (6-0) to a 49-6 victory over Satsuma completing 11-of-14 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. He also scored on a 29-yard run as Jackson improved to 5-0 in Class 4A, Region 1.
JACOB ROWELL, BROOKWOOD: Managed 15-of-27 completions for 217 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 45-35 Class 6A, Region 4 loss to Paul Bryant. He also rushed 18 times for 56 yards and three touchdowns to account for all five scores for the Panthers.
JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: Passed for 201 yards two touchdowns completing 13-of-19 attempts and rushed for two scores to lead the unbeaten Vikings to a 35-14 win over Baker in Class 7A, Region 1.
K.J. LACEY, SARALAND: The Texas commitment completed 10-of-13 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns as the defending 6A state Spartans (8-0) downed Baldwin County 56-7 in Region 1 action.

MASON HOLCOMB, PISGAH: Passed for four touchdowns and 187 yards on a 5-of-6 performance in a 54-13 win over North Sand Mountain in Class 2A, Region 7 for the undefeated Eagles (7-0). He also added a pair of 2-point conversion pass completions.
SAMMY DUNN, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: WAS 12-of-13 passing for 209 yards with touchdown passes of 17 and 65 yards to Tait Moore and 36 yards to Miles Uter as the Admirals beat Orange Beach 35-14 in Class 4A, Region 1.

PASS RECEIVING
DAVIS DARE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Snagged nine pass receptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots beat West Blocton 44-31.
HOLDEN INMON, RED BAY: Snagged six receptions for 177 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-22 win over Falkville in 2A, Region 8. The TD passes from QB Gage Edgmon covered 33, 37, 29 and 58 yards.
ROD JACKSON, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Grabbed five passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, had one punt return for 21 yards and two tackles on defense in the Raiders’ 42-7 win over Northside Methodist in  Class 3A, Region 2.
TABOR OFFORD, SAINT JAMES: Caught five passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 47-8 win over previously unbeaten Trinity Presbyterian. He has 12 touchdowns among his 19 receptions this season.
MALIK BROWN, CENTER POINT: Hauled in six passes for 144 yards and two TDs as Center Point (7-1) beat Pinson Valley 32-19 in 6A, Region 6.
LAQUENTON UNDERWOOD, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Led the Wolverines past Wetumpka 38-7 in Class 6A, Region 2 with seven catches for 123 yards.
DEITRIC YOUNG, WOODLAWN: Caught six passes for 100 yards and two TDs in the Colonels’ 38-36 win over Jackson-Olin in 6A, Region 5.
COOPER ESTES, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Had four pass receptions for 100 yards and raced 90 yards for a TD on a kickoff return in the Saint’ 54-14 triumph over Robertsdale in 6A,  Region 1.
JAMARCUS HOWARD, SIDNEY LANIER: Caught four TD passes from Jacques Thompson as the Poets beat Stanhope Elmore 32-24 in 6A, Region 2.
JAYLEN MANUEL, MILLRY: Helped the Wildcats beat J.F. Shields 67-0 in Class 1A, Region 1 with three touchdowns – a 30-yard pass reception, 50-yard punt return and 40-yard interception return.

DEFENSE
 LEVI MARTIN, SARDIS: Had 19 tackles in the Lions’ 41-21 loss to Scottsboro in 5A, Region 7.
DRUW SMITH, SCOTTSBORO: Had 14 tackles as the Wildcats bet Sardis 41-21.
CALEB LOCKRDGE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Led the Patriots defense with 14 tackles in  a 44-31 win over West Blocton in Class 4A, Region 3.
 DREW McCARVER, HOKES BLUFF: Had 13 tackles and an interception and teammate Colton Shields had 12 stops with two sacks in the Eagles’ 35-6 victory over Ohatchee in Class 3A, Region 6.
JACE HATHCOCK, GORDO: Managed 10 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as Gordo (7-1)  downed Fayette County 35-6 in Class 3A,  Region 5.
BLAKE PETERSON, NEW BROCKTON: Recorded 13 tackles and forced a fumble in a 41-12 loss to Straughn in 3A, Region 2.
PRESTON STEVENS, DALE COUNTY: Totaled 12 tackles in the Warriors’ 37-30 win over Geneva in 4A, Region 2.
ASIM WHITE, DOTHAN: Had earned a team-high 10 tackles in Dothan’s 21-14 win over Enterprise in 7A, Region 2.

JACOB WELSH, SPRING GARDEN: Recorded nine tackles and two sacks in the Panthers’ 39-14 win over Pleasant Valley.
GARRETT WITHERINGTON, BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN: Had five tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, two sacks and two safeties in 30 defensive snaps against Calera.
GRAYSON GULDE, VINCENT: Had 20 tackles with four tackles-for-loss in the Jackets’ 41-7 win over Woodland in 2A, Region 4.
JI LANG, VIGOR: Managed 16 tackles, four tackles for losses, an interception, two sacks and two quarterback pressures in the Wolves’ 31-0 shutout win over LeFlore in 5A, Region 1.

CARLTON DUNCAN, PARKER: Had two interceptions and eight tackles as the Herd beat Mountain Brook 13-10 in 6A, Region 5.
J.J. BUSH, THEODORE: Intercepted a pair of Blount passes as the Bobcats won 35-0 over the Leopards in 6A, Region 1.
JARIUS BENJAMIN, CITRONELLE: Returned an interception 93 yards for the winning TD to lead the Wildcats to a 14-8 victory over Williamson in 5A, Region 1.
JAMAR MOULTRIE, HOOVER: Returned an interception 62 yards for Hoover’s first TD of the night as the Bucs posted a 37-10 victory over Tuscaloosa County in 7A, Region 2.
JaMICHAEL GARRETT, GULF SHORES: The linebacker had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown, added six tackles with 2.5 sacks in the Dolphins’ 55-7 win over Elberta in 5A, Region 1.

SPECIAL TEAMS
TUCKER CORNLIUS, NORTHRIDGE: Kicked four field goals in five tries with a long od 52 yards in a 13-12 loss to Central-Tuscaloosa in Class 6A, Region 4.
DRE KIRKPATRICK, GADSDEN CITY: Scored three touchdowns with an 85-yard interception return, a 55-yard punt  return and a 26-yard TD reception in the Titans’ 42-13 win over Mae Jemison in Class 6A, Region 8.
QUINTAVOUS ROGERS, COLLINSVILLE: Returned a punt 46 yards for one TD and scored rushing touchdowns on runs covering 12, 4 and 83 yards as the Panthers beat Ider 54-0 in Class 2A, Region 7. Teammate Gavin Lang also raced 68 yards on a punt return for another Collinsville special  teams score.
TAYLOR GAITER, LEEDS: Scored the first two times he touched the ball as  the Green Wave beat Alexandria 48-14 in Class 5A,  Region 6. He turned a bobbled pitch into a 64-yard TD run on the  game’s third play from scrimmage and after a three-and-out series that followed, returned an Alexandria punt 80 yards for another score.
COLE RAEUCHLE, SCOTTSBORO: Was 5-of-6 on PAT kicks and booted all six kickoffs into the end  zone for touchbacks as the Wildcats beat Sardis 41-21 in Class 5A, Region 7.
DREW PUCCIO, ARAB: Raced 81 yards on a kickoff return to set up one touchdown, added a rushing score, a TD pass reception and passed for two more scores to lead the Knights past Boaz 63-35 in 5A, Region 7.
BISHOP BURKHALTER, SPANISH FORT: The junior linebacker returned a blocked field goal 88 yards for a touchdown and ran a punt back 42 yards for a TD in the Toros’41-19 victory over McGill-Toolen Catholic in Class 6A, Region 1.
BRADEN JACKSON, GULF SHORES: Jackson blocked a pair of Elberta punts in the  Dolphins’ 55-7 Class 5A, Region 1 win. He also caught a 59-yard TD pass from freshman QB Jud Harris. Teammate Ronnie Royal also returned four punts for 154 yards, including 38 yards on  one return for a touchdown.
SHOOTER HOLYFIELD, MILLRY: Kicked a 38-yard field goal and eight extra points as Millry beat J.F. Shield 67-0 in Class 1A, Region 1.
JADAN BURNS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Kicked a 33-yard field goal and was 12-of-12 on extra-point kicks in the Conquerors’ win over Cedar Bluff.
ALEX WISECUP, ELBA: Kicked a 32-yard field goal and was perfect on 5-of-5 point-after kicks in the Tigers’ 38-6 win over Georgiana.

AZARIEL TODD, HOUSTON COUNTY: Averaged 44 yards off four punts in the Lions’ 35-7 win over Pleasant Home.