AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 8
MONTGOMERY – Tuscaloosa Academy senior quarterback Preston Lancaster and St. Michael Catholic sophomore quarterback Gunner Rivers are at their best when the pressure is on.
And their current career numbers through last week’s pressure-cooked games tell it best. Both find themselves in this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 8.
Lancaster, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior for Coach Josh Wright was nearly perfect last week with 27 completions in 34 attempts for 358 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Knights (7-1) suffered their first loss of the season falling to Sulligent in a key Class 2A, Region five battled 46-44. Despite the loss, Tuscaloosa Academy finished region play at 5-1 and clinched the region title and No. 1 seed heading into the state playoffs.
Lancaster, who led the AHSAA in passing last season and is current leader with 2,475 yards and 29 TDs this season, has led Tuscaloosa Academy to a 27-7 record since the Knights joined the AHSAA in 2022. His career passing totals are 618 completions in 884 pass attempts, an amazing 69.8% completion rate. He has thrown for 9,575 yards and 105 TDs, rushed for 584 yards and 18 touchdowns to give him 10,159 career total yards and 124 touchdowns accounted for. His career passing yardage currently ranked seventh all-time behind Piedmont’s Jack Hayes (11,024 yards), Williamson’s JaMarcus Russell (10,774), Pinson Valley’s Bo Nix (10,386), American Christian’s Chris Smelley (10,385), Colbert Heights’ Jeremy Yates (9,580). And Montgomery Catholic’s Caleb McCreary (9,549).
Among that group Nix was a Heisman Trophy finalist and is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the NFL. Russell was the player picked in the NFL Draft in 2007 by the Oakland Raiders, Smelley quarterbacked at South Carolina for Coach Steve Spurrier, and McCreary is freshman at Troy University after leading his high school team to the Class 4A state title in 2023. Hayes, also an outstanding catcher, is playing collegiate baseball.
As for Gunner Rivers, the son of NFL great Philip Rivers, completed 24-of-33 passes last week for 360 yards and four touchdowns in s 38-37 win over Pensacola (Fl), is stacking up numbers that would rival another former football prodigy in the AHSAA – Brodie Croyle. Croyle led his high school team to the state finals as an eighth grader and was on pace to shatter the career passing record in the AHSAA at that time but saw his senior season end in the first game when he suffered a knee injury. Croyle went on to start at the University of Alabama and in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs before finally returning home to take over management of his dad John Croyle’s Big Oak Ranch.
Rivers has completed 154-of-228 passes for 2,212 yards and 21 TDs this season for St. Michael (7-1) and 4-1 in Class 4A, Region 1 heading into the last region game of the season this week versus Orange Beach. A win will lock up the No. 2 seed for the Cardinals in Region 1. His career totals are 383-of-590 passing for 5,294 yards and 50 TDs – and is on pace to eclipse 10,000 passing yards in his career before he is through.
The two strong quarterback performances edged out two great rushing efforts in last week’s 50-47 win by Scottsboro over Arab in Class 5A, Region 8, and a super defensive effort by Jabarrius Garror for the state’s top defensive team, Vigor. Drew Puccio of Arab (5-3) had 23 carries for 301 yards and seven touchdowns for the Knights, and senior quarter Jake Jones of Scottsboro had 21 rush attempts for 105 yards and a school-record six touchdowns. He was also 11-0f-17 passing for 243 yards and a seventh TD. Junior fullback Jacobi Edmunson added 138 yards on 19 rush attempts for the Wildcats (7-2), and junior receiver Cohen Thompson caught five passes for 113 yards and a TD. Defensive back Quincie Franklin had six tackles, an interception he returned 36 yards to set up a TD, and had six kickoff returns for 130 yards. Scottsboro kicker Cole Rauechle was 6-of-6 on extra points extending his consecutive PAT kicks to 55 in a row – a school record.
Arab’s Puccio was also 8-of-15 passing for 168 yards and returned three kickoffs for 74 yards. Senior receiver Landon Strickland had six receptions for 122 yards.
Vigor’s Garror, a University of Alabama commitment, had 12 tackles, seven for losses and 4.5 quarterback sacks to lead the Class 5A Wolves (8-0) to a 19-2 win over Williamson to clinch the Region 1 title. He forced two fumbles, deflected two passes, and had six quarterback hurries in one of the state’s top defensive efforts of the 2024 season. Vigor has allowed just 42 points all season for a Class 5A-leading 5.3 points allowed per game. Williamson (8-1) has allowed just 62 points in nine games for a 6.9-points per game allowed average. The Lions also have clinched a playoff berth in Region 1.
In other top performances reported:
MILESTONES
ELBA’S HENDERSON GETTING CLOSER: Elba senior running back Alvin Henderson is on the verge of becoming the AHSAA’s career rushing record after picking up 243 yards in last week’s 49-22 Class 1A, Region 2 win over Georgiana. Alexandria’s Mac Campbell set the current record (9,839 yards) in 1997 — a career that ended 27 years ago. After earning 243 yards in last week’s 49-22 win over Georgiana, Henderson, an Auburn commitment, moved to within 139 yards from the AHSAA record of 9,839 yards by Campbell from 1993-97. Henderson, who now has 9,736 career rushing yards counting his eighth-grade year (2020-2024), is averaging 269.6 yards a game this season, according statistics provided by Elba High School. He needs 104 yards to move into first place – could set the record in Friday’s game against Florala at Elba’s Tiger Stadium at Mack Wood Field. He passed No. 3 on the all-time rushing list Wadley’s Terrance Wilkes (9,668) last week. No. 2 on the all-time rushing leader chart is Berry of Fayette’s Terrance Hollingsworth (9,819 yards). Henderson also rushed four touchdowns in last week’s game and had 72 yards on three punt returns and 39 yards on two kick returns, giving him 354 all-purpose yards. Entering this week’s game, Henderson has 2,426 yards rushing for this season with 42 rushing touchdowns and 260 total points. He led the nation last year with 68 total touchdowns and was second in rushing yards with 3,523 yards – a new AHSAA single-season record.
ANDERSON SPARKS FYFFE’S MILESTONE WIN: Senior Logan Anderson, a Clemson commitment, gained 198 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns on just 10 carries as the Red Devils of Coach Paul Benefield beat Holly Pond 61-18 to win the school’s 600th victory since starting football back in 1933. Benefield recorded his 312th coaching win at Fyffe 359 games with the victory over the Broncos. His Class 3A Red Devils (6-2) have compiled a 168-15 region record during his tenure for a 91.8% winning rate. His teams have ranked second in the state in wins in this decade, 200-2024 going 60-5 for 92.3%; were 128-9 and ranked No. 1 in the state from 2010-2019 with winning percentage of 93.4% and ranked 19th overall from 2000-2009 with a 101-22 record and winning percentage of 82.1%. His 86.9% winning rate at Fyffe in 28 seasons at Fyffe ranks first among coaches in the AHSAA. Fyffe leads the state in winning percentage for the past 25 years with a 289-36 record (88.2%). Hoover is ranked second in winning percentage during that span with a 297-50 slate and 85.6% winning rate. Benefield has a 357-58 career record overall – which ranks third in wins behind UMS-Wright’s Terry Curtis (358-103) and Central of Clay County’s Danny Horn (360-97). Benefield’s career winning percentage of 86.0% leads the AHSAA.
OXFORD’S MASON SPOILS CLAY-CHALKVILLE STREAK: The senior quarterback was 14-of-17 passing for 195 yards and two TDs as the Jackets (8-0) posted a 21-10 victory over defending Class 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville (8-1) to clinch the Class 6A, Region 6 title. The win also snapped the Cougars’ winning streak at 21 in row. and Clay’s region games winning streak at 22 in a row.
MARY MONTGOMERY WINS 16TH REGION GAME IN A ROW: Vikings quarterback Shondell Harris scored the winning TD on a two-yard run on fourth down as the Vikings beat Baker in OT 34-31 to claim its second straight Class 7A, Region 1 championship. The win was Mary Montgomery’s 16th straight region win since 2022. He passed for 150 yards and a TD and ran for 89 yards and two scores on 22 carries. Head coach Zach Golsan is 16-2 in region play since taking over the Vikings’ program after the Vikings went 0-10 in 2021. In fact, the Vikings won just 17 region games from 2008-2021 – compiling a 17-87 region record during that stretch. Mary Montgomery reached the Class 7A state playoff semifinals for the first time last season and will be the No. 1 seed from Region 1 in this year’s state playoffs. Baker’s Speedy Wheeler scored on runs of 8, 31 and 60 yards and caught a 64-yard TD pass to led the Hornets (6-2), which can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over Fairhope this week.
CONNER HUGHES ‘ALMOST’ PERFECT FOR FORT PAYNE: Was 7-of-7 on PAT kicks and booted all four of his kickoffs into the end zone as the Wildcats (6-2) improved to 5-0 in Class 6A, Region 8 with a 56-29 win over Hazel Green. Hughes has now made 111 of 112 extra-point kicks in his career – with the only missed extra point coming on a blocked kick by Mortimer Jordan just two weeks ago – leaving him just shy of the AHSAA state record of 110 in row with 94. He also 24 of 26 on field goals for his career over the last three years. Ironically, one of his misses was another blocked kick by Mortimer Jordan.
J.J. BUSH SHINES FOR BOBCATS IN THE CLUTCH: The Theodore High School receiver caught a tipped ‘Hail Mary’ pass at the buzzer to lift the Bobcats to a 16-14 Class 6A, Region 1 victory over Gulf Shores. It also moved Theodore (4-4), coached by Steve Mask, into a tie for fourth place at 3-3 with McGill-Toolen (4-4) in the Region 1 standings heading into the final two weeks of the season. Theodore has region games left with No. 1 seed Saraland and Blount. McGill-Toolen, which beat Theodore 18-16 with a last-second field goal earlier in the season, still has Spanish Fort and Baldwin County remaining.
COY PARAMORE IGNITES ASHFORD OFFENSE: The Yellow Jackets’ quarterback completed a 98-yard touchdown pass to receiver Zay Johnson to lead Ashford (4-5) to a 41-16 win over Opp (6-2) in Class 4A, Region 2. He finished with 200 yards passing on an 8-of-15 completion effort and rushed for 142 yards and four touchdowns. He added four tackles on defense, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble, and punted for a 40-yard average with two of his kicks downed inside the 20-yard line.
PASSING
T.J. RUSSELL, CARVER-MONTOMERY: Was 31-of-52 passing for 408 yards and on TD in a 29-14 setback to Class 7A, Region 2 leader Auburn.
DAX VARNADORE, FT. PAYNE: Passed for 350 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 56-29 win over Hazel Geen in Class 6A, Region 8.
REID McBRIDE, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: The freshman quarterback was 7-of-11 passing for 281 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles beat Prattville Christian 34-5 in Class 3A, Region 2. He went over 2,000 yards passing on the season with the performance and now has 2,013 passing yards.
KADYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: The senior completed 12-of-14 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns as the Raiders (7-1) beat Northside Methodist 57-7 in Class 3A, Region 2. The senior now has 7,723 career passing yards – which moved him past former Muscle Shoals quarterback Logan Smothers (7,489) and former Thompson quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (7,608) into 22nd place on the AHSAA career passing leaders list.
K.J. LACEY, SARALAND: In his second game back from injury, Lacey had 270 yards passing and six touchdowns to lead Saraland (8-0) to a 58-7 victory over Murphy in Class 5A, Region 1.
LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: Went over 2,000 yards passing for the season (2,005) completing 11-of-14 passes for 267 yards and two TDs as the Aggies beat W.S. Neal 48-0 in Class 4A, Region 1 to clinch the region title.
TYLER PIERCE, BOAZ: Raced 11 yards on a quarterback keeper to score the winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining as the Pirates downed previously unbeaten Guntersville 42-35 in Class 6A, Region 8. Pierce was 15-of-30 passing for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
TITAN PARTLOW, WES MORGAN: Passed for 243 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-26 win over Class 4A, Region 7 foe Central-Florence.
LEVI PINDER, GLENWOOD: Passed for 238 yards and four touchdowns with an 18-of-22 performance as the Gators (8-0) beat Lee-Scott 41-14 in Class 3A, Region 4 to clinch the school’s first AHSAA region title.
CHARLIE TAAFFE, VESTAVIA HILLS: The sophomore quarterback completed 11-of-15 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and ran six times for 89 yards and two more scores in a 42-0 Class 7A, Region 3 win over Tuscaloosa County.
NELSON THOMPSON, FOLEY: Passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns as the Lions (4-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 34-18 victory over Davidson in Class 7A, Region 1.
KEATON WILLIAMS, SPARKMAN: Passed for 219 yards to lead Sparkman to a 48-10 victory over Grissom in Class 7A, Region 4.
JAKE ROBERSON, OHATCHEE: Was 12-of-17 passing for 219 yards and two TDs as the Indians downed Glencoe 46-21 in Class 3A Region 6.
BROCK BRADLEY, SPAIN PARK: Was 9-of-13 passing for 209 yards and four scores as the Jaguars (8-0) clinched the Class 6A, Region 3 title with a 42-7 win over Calera.
ADAM SMITH, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Was 4-of-7 passing for 204 yards and two TDs covering 79 and 74 yards in a 4A, Region 6 championship-clinching 35-7 win over Alexandria.
HUNTER STALLINGS, CEDR BLUFF: Still battling back from an early season leg injury, Stallings led the Tigers to a 28-26 Class 2A, Region 7 win over Sand Rock with more than 200 yards total offense. He ran for 105 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, completed 3-of-6 pass attempts for 102 yards, and most importantly, had an interception on defense near the goal line in the closing minute of the game that sealed the two-point win and ended a three-game year losing streak to their Cherokee County rivals. Teammate Hunter Jenkins also had 129 yards rushing on 15 carries and scored one TD.
DALLAS HEDSTROM, DALE COUNTY: Passed for 197 yards and four touchdowns with a 20-of-35 passing effort and added 56 yards on 12 carries and a fifth TD as the Warriors beat Pike County 43-34 in Class 4A, Region 2.
GAGE DAVIS, FLORALA: Was almost perfect completing 12-of-13 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 51-0 Class 1A, Region 2 victory over Red Level.
CRAIG PITTMAN, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN: Was 7-of-14 passing for 169 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 58 yards and another TD on seven carries in the Eagles’ 42-17 Class 2A, Region 2 win over G.W. Long.
CHARLESTON OWENS, MADISON ACADEMY: Completed 7-of-8 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-7 win of St. John Paul II Catholic in Class 4A, Region 8.
JORDAN WARD, MONTEVALLO: Totaled 274 yards offense and accounted for three TDs in the Bulldogs’ 51-27 loss to Sipsey Valley in Class 5A, Region 3. He passed for 141 yards and rushed for 133 yards.
J.L. DAVIS, AUSTIN: Passed for three touchdowns to lead unbeaten Austin (8-0) to a 31-28 victory over James Clemens to clinch the Class 7A, Region 4 title and No. 1 seed for the upcoming playoffs. His TD passes covered 46, 30 and 17 yards.
RUSHING
ARTHUR McQUEEN, STANHOPE ELMORE: Set the school record for yards rushing in a single game with 420 yards and five touchdowns on 21 rush attempts in a 47-21 Class 6A, Region 2 win over Rehobeth. He only played 32 minutes of the 48-minute game. His longest TD run covered 85 yards.
JAYDEN GRIFFIN, DORA: The senior running back had just seven carries to pick up 302 rushing yards and five touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Curry 54-9 in Class 4A, Region 5. He went over 2,000 yards for the season in the process – upping his season totals to 2,113 yards and 30 touchdowns on 168 carries.
JACK HARPER, FAIRVIEW: Rushed 13 times for 251 yards and one TD as the unbeaten Class 5A Aggies (7-0) beat Sardis 38-18 in a non-region win.
CAM PHINIZEE, RUSSELLVILLE: Totaled 221 yards rushing on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Golden Tigers to a 44-13 win over West Point in Class 5A, Region 7. His long run was 82 yards for one of his scores. The junior now has 1,981 yards this season on 177 carries with 24 rushing touchdowns.
BRENDAN HALL, GENEVA COUNTY: Inched closer to Geneva County High School’s single season rushing record with 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-34 Class 2A, Region 2 loss to Houston County. He has rushed for 1,817 yards and is just 318 yards behind the Bulldogs’ all-time leader Andre Golson, who held the mark with 2,195 yards since 1999. Hall has 28 touchdowns on the season.
GRAHAM BATEY, RANDOLPH: Rushed for more than 200 yards and had two TDs as Randolph (6-2) beat Madison County 49-14 in Class 4A, Region 8 improving to 6-0 in region play. He also had 11 tackles on defense.
SKYLER JOHNSTON, SHEFFIELD: Ran for 189 yards on 15 carries, caught four passes for 122 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 45-16 win over Clements in Class 3A, Region 7.
JAYDEN MARTIN, RAMSAY: Picked up 185 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored a touchdown in a 41-8 Class 5A, Region 5 victory over Birmingham-Carver for the Rams (5-3).
T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Rushed 12 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns and had three receptions for 78 yards and a score in the Titans’ 30-23 loss to Southside-Gadsden. Worthy’s 60-yard TD run in the second quarter broke the school career rushing mark set by Alonzo Harris in 2010.
SPENCER UNRUH, CORNER: Picked up 180 yards rushing on 31 carries and scored one TD as the Jackets (7-1) beat John Carroll Catholic 34-27 in Class 5A, Region 5.
BRAXTON YOCOM, OAK GROVE: The senior running back had 12 rush attempts for 171 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-6 win over American Christian in Class 4A, Region 4. He also had seven tackles for the Tigers (6-2).
JEREMY SPRATLING, HELENA: Gained 162 yards on 16 carries and scored two first-half touchdowns as the Huskies (5-3) beat Chelsea (6-2) in a key Class 6A, Region 3 battle 38-28.
JAMISON SCISSUM, ETOWAH: Rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries In the Blue Devils’ 28-21 victory over White Plains in Class 4A, Region 6.
JAKE BOGGS, GLENCOE: Rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in the Yellow Jackets’ 46-21 loss to Ohatchee in Class 3A, Region 6.
BRYCE WHITAKER, HOKES BLUFF: Led a trio of Eagles rushers who went over 100 yards in Hokes Bluff’s 56-19 Class 4A, Region 6 win over Ashville. Whitaker gained 150 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts. Blaine Barron had 15 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns, and Brenton Hale ran for 108 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
CONNER NELSON, LEEDS: Had 18 rush attempts for 161 yards and four touchdowns as the Green Wave posted a 49-24 victory over Center Point in Class 5A, Region 6.
STUART ANDREWS, MOUNTAIN BROOK: The junior running back had 18 carries for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ 42-0 win over Huffman in 6A, Region 6.
ALEX BATY, GAYILESVILLE: Led the Trojans with 152 yards on 16 carries with a pair of touchdowns and also posted 13 tackles on defense in a 27-20 loss at Ragland.
KOAL GARRETT, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Rushed 24 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 30-23 win over Gadsden City in Class 6A, Region 8.
LUKAS McGATHA, SPRING GARDEN: Led the Panthers with 123 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns in a 61-6 homecoming win over Ider in Class 1A, Region 8. Teammate John Welsh caught two TD passes covering 24 and 20 yards in the win.
JUSTIN MURRAY, FAIRFIELD: The Tigers (6-2) posted a big 30-28 win over Class 4A, Region 4 opponent Bibb County (7-2) with Murray rushing for 132 yards on 14 carries for two TDs. He also returned an interception 25 yards for a third score.
EMERIAN DAVIS, B.C. RAIN: Scored on runs of 28, 8 and 40 yards and caught a 37-yard TD pass for a fourth score as the Red Raiders defeated Faith Academy 52-28 in 5A, Region 1.
PASS RECEIVING
D.J. VINSON, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Had an amazing 222 yards receiving on just three catches – all resulting in touchdowns – as the Eagles beat Prattville Christian 34-6 in Class 3A, Region 2. His longest catch was 80 yards.
C.J. DURBIN, CHELSEA: The Hornets’ senior receiver grabbed 12 passes for 201 yards and one TD in a 38-28 loss to Helena in Class 6A, Region 3.
BRODY JONES, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Caught 12 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Class 4A Cardinals (7-1) past Pensacola (FL) 38-37.
GABE GLOVER, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Caught four passes for 150 yards (37.5 average) with three touchdowns in the Raiders’ 57-7 win over Northside Methodist. Glover also had an interception on defense for the Raiders in the Class 3A, Region 2 win.
COREY BARBER, SPAIN PARK: The Jaguars’ junior wide receiver caught four passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns – all in the first half as undefeated Spain Park (8-0) beat Calera 42-7 in Class 6A, Region 3.
LAMONT RICHARDSON, ETOWAH: Had six catches for 140 yards and two TDs, and he also returned a punt 60 yards for a score as the Blue Devils beat White Plains 28-21 in Class 4a, Region 6.
SAGE BENNETT, BOAZ: Snagged eight passes for 132 yads and two touchdowns with scoring catches of 5 and 55 yards in the Pirates’ 42-35 Class 5A, Region 8 win over Guntersville.
ROLLIE PINTO, PIEDMONT: Caught eight passes for 124 yards and an 18-yard TD in the Bulldogs’ 26-21 win over Weaver in Class 3A, Region 6. He also had a 73-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Vinson has 51 receptions for 1,072 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
SCOTT MYLES, DAPHNE: Had six receptions for 101 yards and returned a punt 62 yards for a TD in the Trojans’ 35-22 victory over Fairhope in Class 7A, Region 1.
DEFENSE
KEVIAN KING, OPELIKA: The Bulldogs’ defensive back halted three Central-Phenix City drives as the Opelika beat the defending state champion Red Devils 23-14 to clinch a playoff berth in Class 7A, Region 2. He had a pass breakup on the Red Devils’ first drive to force a turnover on downs; an interception on the goal line to keep Opelika up two possessions later in the game; and a tackle on a fourth down in the fourth quarter forcing another Central turnover on downs.
TRISTAN BROWN, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Posted 17 tackles, including three for loss, with a sack, in the Warriors’ 35-7 victory over Alexandria in Class 4A, Region 6 to clinch their third straight region championship. He also had seven carries for 71 yards and scored on a 31-yard touchdown run.
A.J. SMALLWOOD, OPP: Finished with 15 tackles in the Bobcat’s 42-16 loss to Ashford in Class 4A, Region 2.
DAWSON PEAOCK, NEW BROCKTON: Returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown, tying an AHSAA record held by several others, in a 36-33 Class 4A, Region 2 Gamecocks loss to Straughn. Teammate Bryant Crumpler also had 13 tackles for New Brockton.
TY BOOKER, COTTONWOOD: Had 16 tackles, including three for losses and one quarterback sack, as the unbeaten Bears (9-0) captured the Class 2A, Region 2 title with a 62-12 win over Abbeville. Teammate Aly Baker also had 15 tackles.
NOAH WRIGHT, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Had 15 tackles, including three for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Warriors’ 33-30 loss to J.B. Pennington in Class 3A, Region 6.
HUNTER ALLMOND, GAYLESVILLE: Recorded 15 tackles on defense in a 27-20 loss at Ragland in Class 1A, Region 8. Teammate Jared Butts also had nine tackles and two sacks.
ZACH MORGAN, CITRONELLE: The senior defensive end had 12 tackles, two sacks and six QB hurries in the Wildcats’ 27-18 win over LeFlore in Class 5A, Region 1.
ETHAN HENSON, CLARKE COUNTY: Totaled 10 tackles and a fumble recovery on defense and rushed for 73 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries as the Bulldogs clinched a playoff berth in Class 2A, Region 1 with a 33-0 win over St. Luke’s Episcopal.
AIDEN GASAWAY, VINCENT: Totaled 10 tackles on defense and rushed for 121 yards and three TDs on offense to lead the Jackets (7-1) to a 49-0 in over Isabella in Class 2A, Region 5.
RYAN REESE, RAMSAY: The powerful defensive lineman had six sacks among his eight tackles and also broke up a pass as the Rams beat Carver 41-8 in Class 5A, Region 5.
GARDNER DUNN, ENTERPRISE: Intercepted two passes, returning one 32 yards for a touchdown, and had five tackles and a pass break-up Iin the Wildcats’ 48-0 win over J.A.G.
CALEB SHORT, VERBENA: Had two first-half interceptions to help Verbena (7-1) scored 28 first-quarter points on the way to a 58-14 Class 1A, Region 4 win.
KEY’SHUN BARNES, GRISSOM: Intercepted two passes and rushed for 73 yards on four carries in a 48-10 loss to Sparkman in Class 7A, Region 4.
DRE WHITE, BLOUNT: Swiped a pair of interceptions, forced a fumble and finished with four tackles as the Leopards beat Baldwin County 12-3 in Class 5A, Region 1.
JACOB WATKINS, ELBA: Had 15 tackles and a sack, and Cayden Adkins added 14 tackles as the Tigers beat Georgiana 49-22.
JAY RAGLAND, ASHFORD: Totaled 12 tackles with six tackles for loss, including one stop in the end zone for a safety. He also had a fumble recovery in Ashford’s 42-16 win over Opp.
TRE GRIFFIN, HOUSTON COUNTY: Managed an interception and a fumble recovery return for touchdowns in the Lions’ 44-30 win over Geneva County in Class 2A, Region 2. Teammate Zykevious Culver also had 11 tackles.
BRUCE SCOINIERS, GENEVA COUNTY: Recorded 11 tackles and teammate James Wright had eight stops and two interceptions in the Bulldogs’ 44-30 loss in2A, Region 2.
JOEB BRADLEY, ZION CHAPEL: Forced a fumble, returned another fumble 72 yards for a touchdown and totaled nine tackles in the Rebels’ 35-0 win over Calhoun in Class 2A, Region 3. Brayden Benbow also had 14 tackles for Zion Chapel.
RYKER WOODALL, SAND ROCK: Returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter in the Wildcats’ 28-26 loss at Cedar Bluff in Class 2A, Region 7.
SPECIAL TEAMS
COOPER YANCEY, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Kicked a 41-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to give the Panthers a 24-23 lead and sealed its victory over Gadsden City with an interception return on the final play of the game in a wild Class 6A, Region 8 game finish.
ETHAN HALL, VERBENA: Blocked a punt, scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown in the Red Devils’ 58-14 win over Autaugaville in Class 1A, Region 4.
JOHN McGUIRE, THOMPSON: Kicked two field goals, one covering 50 yards, in the Warriors’ 27-26 overtime loss to Hoover in Class 7A, Region 3. He also punted three times for a 47.7-yard average, and he had three of his five kickoffs sail into the end zone for touchbacks.
ANTHONY SILAR, NEW BROCKTON: Rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in the Gamecocks’ 36-33 loss to Straughn in Class 4A, Region 2.
KING CAMPBELL, COTTONWOOD: Had 253 yards rushing and receiving with five touchdowns in the Bears’ 62-12 win over Abbeville. Campbell rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 103 yards with two TDs. He also had 10 tackles on defense as the Bears clinched the Class 2A, Region 3 title.
A.J. ALEXANDER, DOTHAN: Gained 196 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries and completed 2-of-2 passes for 18 yards in the Wolves’ 48-0 win over Smiths Station in Class 7A, Region 2.
KADEN GOODEN, WEAVER: Raced 75 yards for a touchdown on a first-quarter kick return and also scored on a 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Bearcats’ 26-21 loss to Piedmont in Class 3A, Region 6.
QUINTAVIOUS ROGERS, COLLINSVILLE: Returned opening kickoff 69 yards to the 8-yard line, where Mason McAteer ran in for a touchdown on the first offensive play from scrimmage as Collinsville downed Brindlee Mountain 56-0 in Class 3A, Region 8. He finished with 80 yards rushing on just four carries and two touchdowns (8 and 19 yards). McAteer also fired two TD passes covering 56 yards to Gavin Lang and 66 yards to Kyler Beene.
KYLEN JOHNSON, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, intercepted a pass on defense and had four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown as the Conquerors beat West End 62-0 in Class 2A, Region 6.
JAYDEN CAPLE, ARITON: Had a 60-yard kick return for a touchdown in the Purple Cats’ 34-0 win over Samson. He added 85 yards on just two carries with one TD on offense.
Leave a Reply