AHSAA Week 5 Football Spotlight

     MONTGOMERY – Wenonah High School senior Makhi Fowler made a special night even more special last when with two touchdowns and 83 yards rushing on nine carries as the Dragons (4-1) beat Huffman 28-6 on a very special night at Bell-Culpepper Stadium in Birmingham. It was a night of celebration as Sam Shade, a 1990 graduate and favorite son of the Wenonah athletic program, was honored by having his No. 4 Dragons jersey retired. It was a Wenonah night  indeed!
          It was the fourth time Wenonah’s defense had held an opponent to 14 points or less this season, reminiscent of the Sam Shade era, and was, you guessed it, win No. 4 for the Dragons (4-1) this season. The Wenonah win on this special night for Sam Shades grabs the AHSAA Week 5 Football Spotlight.
     As for Shade, the current head football coach at nearby Miles College, it was a night to remember not only his high school career but his collegiate years at the University of Alabama and his long tenure in the NFL.  Shade earned All-State and All-Southern honors in high school as an outstanding running back and defensive back. He was selected the overall 1990 Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the first black student to earn that award. He moved on to the University of Alabama where he helped the Crimson Tide win the National Championship in 1992 and earned All-SEC honors in 1994.
     He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and embarked on an eight-year pro career from 1995-2002 where he amassed 528 career tackles with the Bengals and later the Washington Redskins. He also had 10 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and 8.5 sacks. Following his playing days, he returned to Birmingham as a member of the Samford University staff serving as special teams and defensive passing  game coordinator. During his time there, he mentored three players who reached the NFL. He then moved to the staff at Georgia State before returning to the NFL on the Cleveland Browns staff. In 2020, he returned to the state as the head coach at Pinson Valley replacing Patrick Nix, whose son Bo Nix was a Heisman Trophy finalist in the 2023 and is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
    In Shade’s first year at Pinson, the Indians finished 12-2 and won the Class 6A state title. Leading that team was Ga’Quincy ‘Kool-aid’ McKinstry, who earned Mr. Football honors in 2020, All-America honors at the University of Alabama two years later and is now a defensive back in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Shade left the high school ranks to take over the Miles College football program in 2022. His first team finished 1-9 but his 2023 team tied for second in the SIAC with a 7-3 overall record and 6-2 conference slate. He is currently in his third season as head coach.
   Most importantly, Shade continues to be a prime role model and inspiration for student-athletes in Alabama for his commitment to academics and athletics. In the win, Jsean Bailey intercepted a pass and Eldridge Shelton, Kasaan Abrams and Edmund Jones had one sack apiece. Abrams led the defense with seven tackles, and Joran Spencer added six stops.
    Several other top performances, by Williamson’s Taijh Overton, Clarke County’s JaMarcus Washington and Collinsville’s Quintavious Rogers, earned special consideration for this week’s Spotlight.
    Overton led the Lions to their third shutout of the season in a 47-0 win over Murphy. It was also the 98^th shutout in the school’s history. Overton had 12 tackles, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and blocked a punt that resulted in another score in the Lions’ dominating win. Unbeaten Williamson (6-0) also won another game 6-2 – a safety charged to the offense – as the Lions, coached by Antonio Coleman, are having their best start since 2000. That team was 10-0 in the regular season and finished 12-1.
     JaMarcus Washington scored three touchdowns with plays of 78 yards or longer in a hard-fought 30-27 victory over Millry. He scored on a 78-yard touchdown run and had two TD receptions of 80 and 85 yards to lead  the Class 2A Bulldogs to the victory.
     And Quintavious Rogers accumulated 179 yards on 10 carries with four touchdowns (2, 15, 82 and 49 yards) in Collinsville’s 51-0 victory over Sand Rock. He also caught a pair of passes for 54 yards and a 23-yard score. It was the third straight game he has accounted for five total touchdowns. Quarterback Mason McAteer completed 10-of-20 passes for 188 yards and the TD pass to Rogers. Kyler Beene also had five catches for 113 yards – and place-kicker Jan Segura booted a 50-yard field goal in the victory.
    Other outstanding performances reported this week include:

MILESTONES
ELBA’S HENDERSON LEADS NATION IN RUSHING: Elba’s senior running back topped the 300-yard mark for the fifth time in six games on the season and for the fourth straight game, finishing with 344 yards on 26 carries in a 48-34 win over Goshen. Henderson also had four touchdowns on runs of 58, 64, 22 and 32 yards with the last score sealing the win late in the fourth period. He has gained a nation-leading  1,958 yards this season on 152 carries for 33 rushing touchdowns, according to statistics reported to MaxPreps, His total is also 536 yards more than Clearfield (PA) running back Brady Collins, who ranks No. 2 with 1,452 yards.
     Henderson’s career rushing total is now 9.232 yards, which ranks fourth all-time and moved him past former Dale County High School star Jamarius Henderson, who had 9,207 rushing yards from 2010-2014. Mac Campbell of Alexandria is the AHSAA’s all-time leader with 9,839 yards from 1992-1997. Terrance Hollingsworth of Class 1A Berry is second with 9,819 yards from 2009-2013, and Wadley’s Terance Wilkes had 9,668 yards from 2003-2006 to rank third. Elba’s Henderson needs 613 more yards this season move all the way to No. 1.
     Henderson, who had 3,523 yards and 68 total TDs last season, also has rushed for a state-record 165 career touchdowns and has scored a state-record 174 overall – with the rest of  the 2024 season remaining. He is averaging 13.5 yards per carry for his career, which also tops the AHSAA. His career rushing total has come on just 684 carries – 573 less than Campbell, who holds the state record for durability with 1,157 career rush attempts.
HARVEY SPARKS MARY MONTGOMERY STREAK: Defensive back Hunter Harvey led a Vikings defense that hasn’t yielded a touchdown pass all season with a pick-six interception as Mary Montgomery thumped Baldwin County 42-0. Aarin Hill also had an interception. The Vikings have won 13 straight home games dating back to a 38-23 loss to Fairhope on Sept. 8, 2022. Mary Montgomery (5-1), coached by Zach Golson, is 23-7 since 2022. The Vikings were 5-25 the three previous years (2019-2021) and had just 23 wins from 2013-2021. Last year’s12-1 season ended in the Class 7A semifinals with a 21-7 loss to eventual state champion Phenix City.
JUSTICE BALDWIN, OPP: The Bobcats’ quarterback was 9-of-16 passing for 188 yards and one TD to lead the Opp (5-0) to beat Destin (FL) 39-0. The win gave Opp its first 5-0 start since 1991.
LYLES HELPS TALLADEGA END STREAK: The Tigers’ multi-talented Zae Lyles had 218 all-purpose yards with two rushing touchdowns and a 60-yard TD pass to sophomore  receiver Malik Smith as Talladega beat Ashville 35-28 to snap a 26-game losing streak dating back to 2021. The last win came in week 9 of that season with a 51-37 victory over Elmore County.
ABBEVILLE SCORES TWO DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS: Jackets’ defenders Eric Williams and Jamarion Smith each scored a touchdown on defense in Abbeville’s 68-6 win over Barbour County. Williams had a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown and Smith had a 36-yard interception return for a TD. Xavier Harris and Ahmod Billins also returned punts 46 and 42 yards, respectively, for Abbeville’s special teams.
EDWARDS GOES OVER 1,000 YARDS: Senior running back Keilyn Edwards had 16 carries for 164 yards and scored both touchdowns in the Linden’s 16-14 win over previously unbeaten Southern Choctaw. He also went over 1,000 yards on the season for the Bears (4-2) in the process. He now has 1,013 yards on just 72 carries – and is averaging 14.1 yards per carry.

RUSHING
JASON TODD, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: The durable running back had 32 carries for 286 yards, two touchdowns and added a 2-point conversion in Mobile Christian’s 28-25 loss to St. Stanislaus (MS),
A’RON LEE, RAGLAND: Picked up 280 yards rushing and  three touchdowns on 27 carries to lead Ragland past Fayetteville 35-0. His longest run of the night was a 94-yard TD scamper.
SPENCER UNRUH, CORNER: The workhorse running back had 28 rushes for 236 yards and a touchdown as Corner downed Jacksonville 35-28.
BRYCE WHITAKER, HOKES BLUFF: Rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in the Eagles’ 35-0 victory over Glencoe.
JOHN FORD, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Had 41 carries for 214 yards and four touchdowns on offense in the Cavaliers’ 27-7 win over Montevallo.
STUART ANDREWS, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Had 30 rush attempts for 211 yards and a touchdown in the Spartans’ 27-22 win over Homewood.
JAYDEN MARTIN, RAMSAY: Gained 207 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns in the 34-0 win over Minor.
CHASE STRACENER, CHELSEA: Ran 25 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-12 win over Paul  Bryant. He had a long run of 50 yards for the unbeaten Class 6A Hornets (5-0).
TYLER THOMAS, OAKMAN: Ran for five touchdowns as Oakman beat Carbon Hill 41-0. He had 18 carries and finished with 197 yards – pushing him over 1,000 yards on the year. He now has 1,106 yards on 106 carries for 10.4 yards per carry.
DALTON JORDAN, PIKE LIBERAL ARTS: Had 25 carries for 197 yards highlighted by a 52-yard touchdown run as the Patriots beat Notasulga 35-6.
JAYDEN GRIFFIN, DORA: Totaled 194 yards rushing on 20 carries and score one TD in the Bulldogs’ 42-14 loss to Jasper.
LUKE GILBERT, PISGAH: Piled up 181 yards rushing and passed for 35 yards as the unbeaten Eagles blanked Randolph 29-0. His fumble recovery on defense set up the Eagles’ first touchdown.
LADARIAN MILLER, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Rushed for 180 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns and caught a TD pass to lead Yellow Jackets past Davidson 42-13.
BRODY BLEVINS, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Gained 173 yards and scored four touchdowns on 22 rush attempts and was 7-of-9 passing for 160 yards and a fifth TD to lead the Warriors to a 52-21 win over Munford. He finished with 330 total yards.
LUKE REYNOLDS, BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN: Rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries as the Lions handed Leeds its first loss of  the season 31-12.
GABRIEL HATAWAY, KINSTON: Led a strong running game for the Bulldogs in a 63-27 win over Samson with 165 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns. Colby Tew also had 133 yards on 22 rush attempts and two scores, and Brant McCollough had eight carries for 100 yards and one TD.
KOAL GARRETT, SOUTHSIDE: Led the Panthers with 157 yards rushing on 21 carries and scored three touchdowns in a 41-34 double-overtime win over rival Etowah. Teammate Jevontae Strong also gained 120 yards and a touchdown on six carries. 
JAYDEN ROBERTS, VINCENT: Had 24 Rush attempts for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-0 win over Childersburg.
JULIAN RILEY, HEADLAND: Picked up 144 yards rushing with a 67-yard touchdown run in the Rams’ 21-14 win over Ashford. He also had six tackles and a fumble recovery on defense.
KARVIEON BLACK, HATTON: Rushed 21 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns as Hatton (3-2) rolled up 498 total yards in its 42-25 win over  Westminster Christian. His scoring runs covered 78 and 4 yards.
MYLES JOHNSON, T.R. MILLER: The Tigers’ senior running back had 21 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns to lead T.R. Miller (6-0) to a 28-14 victory over UMS-Wright (3-2).
CADEN COTTON, BILLINGSLEY: Scored three rushing touchdowns and picked up 121 yards on 19 carries in the Bears’ 42-28 loss to Isabella.
CONNOR BATES, SPRING GARDEN: Gained 116 yards on just six carries with two touchdowns (51 and 13 yards), and John Welsh caught three passes for 70 yards and two TDs (35 and 8 yards) in a 54-0 win over Cedar Bluff. Welsh also ran for a 27-yard TD and posted eight tackles on defense.
ALEX BATY, GAYLESVILLE: Score all four touchdowns in the Trojans’ 36-24 loss to unbeaten Verbena.

PASSING
SHAMAR TOODLE, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Led Cottage Hill to a 41-0 victory over Choctaw County with 346 yards passing and four touchdowns on a 21-of-27 completion performance.
CHASE RAY, SAMSON: Completed 20-of-31 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in a 63-27 loss to Kinston. Samson trailed 28-27 midway through the third quarter, but the Bulldogs rallied to score the final 35 points of the game.
COLE WILSON, PIEDMONT: Returning to the lineup after missing one game with an injury, Wilson completed 8-of-16 pass attempts for 313 yards and accounted for six touchdowns (5 passing,
1 rushing) as the Bulldogs beat B.B. Comer 58-16.
GAGE DAVIS, FLORALA: Completed 11-of-16 passes for 304 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (4-2) to a 45-14 win over Bayshore Christian.
He threw his scoring passes to five different receivers with five scores coming in the first half.
BRYSON RIGGINS, RUSSELL COUNTY: Threw for 301 yards and six touchdowns on a 19-of-26 passing effort to lead Russell County to a 45-27 victory over Valley.
BLAISE VICKERY, HACKLEBURG: Was 13-of-16 passing for 296 yards and three touchdowns and added two rushing scores in a 42-12 win over Phil Campbell.
JAVION JOHNSON, PAUL BRYANT: Passed for 286 yards and one touchdown on a 10-of-21 passing effort in the Stampede’s 49-12 loss to Chelsea.
TAESAN LOVE, HATTON: Passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 82 yards and another score as Hatton (3-2) beat Westminster Christian 42-25. Love accounted for 359 of his team’s 498 total yards. Eli Harris also went over 100 yards rushing for  the Aggies with 17 carries totaling 113 yards. He scored on a 9-yard run.
REID McBRIDE, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Led the Eagles to a 36-8 victory over Luverne completing 11-of-18 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
MASON HOLLOWAY, HAMILTON: Was 9-of-13 passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed 10 times for 151 yards and three more scores as the Aggies (4-1) downed Sulligent 42-28.
HOLDEN PAWLIK, CARROLL: Was 12-of-19 passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-17 overtime win over Pike County.
DAX VARNADORE, FORT PAYNE: Led the Wildcats to a 16-6 win over Mortimer Jordan with a 21-of-25 passing effort for 231 yards and one touchdown.
PRICE THORNTON, DESHLER: Passed for 219 yards and three touchdowns to lead Deshler past Colbert County 28-21.
CARSON WALLS, DOUGLAS: Led his team to a 48-21 win over New Hope with a 15-of-21 passing effort for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
MILLER BAUMAN, CHELSEA: Completed 9-of-20 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns as the Hornets (5-0) beat Paul Bryant 49-12.
JAKE ROBERSON, OHATCHEE: Led the Indians to a 54-13 victory over Donoho with an 11-of-16 passing performance for 203 yards and two scores.
LANDON JONES, BILLINGSLEY: The freshman quarterback was 13-of-19 passing for 203 yards and rushed for 82 yards and on TD in the Bears’ 42-28 loss to Isabella.
CUB JONES, BEAUREGARD: Completed 21-of-25 passes for 188 yards and three scores in a 28-27 loss to Andalusia.
KALEB FREEMAN, PLEASANT HOME: Passed for 188 yards and two touchdowns completing 9-of-17 passes as the Spartans defeated Anniston 30-0.
DAYLON EDWARDS, CITRONELLE: Was 8-of-19 passing for 180 yards with one touchdown in a 29-6 win over Alma Bryant. He also rushed for 103 yards one TD to finish with 283 total yards in the win.
KAI FRANLIN, GADSDEN CITY: Finished with 257 total yards and three touchdowns in the Titan’s 40-27 win over Bob Jones. He was 14-of-24 passing for 159 yards and two TDs and had four rush attempts for  98 yards and a touchdown.
DAWSON PEACOCK, NEW BROCKTON: Accounted for 218 yards and four scores in a 30-7 win over Monroe County with a 12-of-15 passing effort for 133 yards with two TDs and 85 yards rushing and two scores on just five carries.

PASS RECEIVING
JAQUAN REEDER, HACKLEBURG: Grabbed seven receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers downed Phil Campbell 42-12.
CHRIS CLEMONS, WINSTON COUNTY: Had six catches for 186 yards and one TD – an 80-yard connection – in Winston County’s 46-0 win over Curry.
KELIN HORNSBY, SAMSON: Grabbed caught eight passes for 166 yards with one touchdown in the Tigers’ 63-27 loss to Kinston. He added 92 yards rushing plus a two-point conversion.
JUNIOR SMITH, DALE COUNTY: Caught five passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the Warriors’ 28-12 win over Ariton. He also had six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery on defense.
ROLLIE PINTO, PIEDMONT: Made four catches for 160 yards and scored three touchdowns covering 31, 50 and 59 yards in the Bulldogs’ 58-16 victory over B.B. Comer. Teammate Ishmael Bethel also caught two TD passes covering 24 and 46 yards and finished with three receptions for 152 yards.
HOUSTON TIBBS, HAMILTON: Hauled in four passes for 154 yards and one TD – a spectacular 83-yard connection – as Hamilton posted a 42-28 victory over Sulligent.
CEDERIAN MORGNAN, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Caught eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 29-0 win over Charles Henderson.
JAYLEN ROBERTS, CARROLL: Reeled in four pass receptions for 122 yards with one touchdown in the Eagles’ 24-17 overtime win over Pike County.
BRANDON JOHNSON, PAUL BRYANT: Caught three passes for 120 yards and rushed 15 times for 130 yards and a TD in the Stampede’s 49-12 loss to unbeaten Chelsea.
JARVARIUS MARKS, SELMA: Pulled down seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ 31-16 loss to Fairfield.
QUINDERIUS BOLDING, HATTON: Caught two passes for 106 yards and touchdowns covering 76 and 30 yards in Hatton’s 42-25 win over Westminster Christian. Teammate Jackie Porter had three receptions for 99 yards and  40-yard TD. Teammate Coley Gilstrap had five catches for 93 yards and a 45-yard TD.
BAYLON FOSTER, NEW BROCKTON: Had six receptions for 104 yards with two touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ 30-7 win over Monroe County. He also rushed for 80 yards and one TD on three carries.
D.J. VINSON, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Made four catches for 93 yards and two scores on offense and had an interception on defense in the Eagles’ 36-8 win over Luverne.

DEFENSE
CAYDEN ADKINS, ELBA: Led the Tigers’ defense with 20 tackles in a 48-34 win over Goshen. Teammate Jacob Watkins also had 20 stops and Jerod Anderson, had 12 and an interception.
ADAM YAZEL, GARDENDALE: Delivered 18 tackles in the Rockets; 33-28 win over Central-Tuscaloosa. He also had two sacks.
SHADARIUS TOODLE, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Had 17 tackles in a 41-0 victory over Choctaw County.
GRAYSON GULDE, VINCENT: Recorded 16 tackles in a 30-0 victory over Childersburg for the Yellow Jackets (5-0).
CLETE O’BRYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The senior linebacker had 16 tackles, including six for a loss, in the Conquerors’ 29-2 victory over Fyffe. Teammate Cade Mickler had eight tackles and two sacks, while Radley Mays had seven tackles and recovered two fumbles. 
FYSHER PATTERSON, WEST END: Totaled 16 tackles in a 36-6 loss to Vinemont.
LONNIE MILLER, SAMSON: Had 15 tackles and a fumble recovery in a 63-27 loss to Kinston.
HAYDEN ABLES, HAMILTON: The Aggies’ linebacker had 13 tackles and two sacks in Hamilton’s 42-28 victory over Sulligent. Teammate Blake Vaughn had two interceptions, recovered a fumble, and recorded seven tackles.
WILL HATTON, SLOCOMB: Hatton had 13 tackles and teammate Dylan Owens also had 13 stops in the Red Tops’ 10-0 shutout win over Geneva.
JAYLAN GRIFFIN, DALE COUNTY: Recorded for 13 tackles plus two pass deflections in the Warriors’ 28-12 win over Ariton.
CONNOR FORD: HOKES BLUFF: Led the Eagles to a 35-0 win over Glencoe with 11 tackles from his linebacker position on defense.
CALEB MASSEY, BILLINGSLEY: totaled 11 tackles  and a sack in the Bears’ 42-28 loss to Isabella.
TAE DIAMOND, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Had 10 tackles with a pair of sacks on defense and rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries as the Warriors beat Shades Valley 20-6 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools’ football teams. Teammate Tristan Diamond also had 15 tackles and rushed for 93 yards on offense with one score.
DEYSHAUN WYNN, HOUSTON COUNTY: Had 10 tackles on defense and rushed for 119 yards and two TDs on offense in the Lions’ 33-18 loss to Baker (FL).
JAMARION MATTHEWS, SPARKMAN: Had eight tackles, three for a loss and one a quarterback sack, and had two quarterback hurries to lead the Senators’ defense in Sparkman’s 31-7 win over Mae Jemison at Huntsville’s Milton Frank Stadium.
WHIT FLOYD, KINSTON: Returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown and had seven tackles in Bulldogs’ 63-27 win over Samson.
C.C. NOYD, CITRONELLE: Returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown in a 29-6 win over Alma Bryant.
NEWTON GARDNER, SPANISH FORT: His interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter sealed the Toros’21-7 win over Baldwin County rival Daphne.
KYLEN RADCLIFFE, NEW BROCKTON: Had three quarterback sacks in the Gamecocks’ 30-7 win over Monroe County.
CODY TORNOW, AUTAUGA ACADEMY: Made two interceptions on defense and scored two TDs on offense, one rushing and pass receiving, in a 36-20 victory over Prattville Christian.

SPECIAL TEAMS
ELIJAH McMEANS, FLORALA: Returned a punt 78 yards in Florala’s 45-14 victory over Bayshore Christian. He also had two pass receptions for 128 yards and two TDs covering 80 and 48 yards.
ISAIAH SHINGLETON, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Raced 49 yards for a touchdown on a punt return for Westminster Christian in a 42-25 loss to Hatton.
GAVIN RECOR, CARROLL: Drilled a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter and was 3-of-3 on extra-point kicks in the Eagles’ 24-17 overtime win over Pike County.
JOHN McGUIRE, THOMPSON: Punted four times for a 46.8 average in the Warriors’ 14-13 overtime loss to Clay-Chalkville.