By David Holtsford, AHSAA
Cherokee County senior football standout Jacob Cornejo became just the third player in the AHSAA to rush for more than 400 yards in this decade last week when he ran for 420 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 73 yards to lead the Warriors to a 49-21 victory over Oneonta. For his extraordinary effort, Cornejo grabs this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight. The Warriors (4-0), who advanced to the Class 4A Super 7 State Championship last season, improved to 2-0 in Class 4A, Region 6 with the win. Ironically, Da’Marion “Fluff” Bothwell, one of the other two players to crack the 400-yard rushing milestone, was in the lineup at running back for the Redskins. He ran for 146 yards and two scores on 16 carries in the loss. Bothwell had 436 yards rushing on 23 carries and scored six touchdowns in a 49-21 win over Good Hope last year. Another irony, the two game scores were exactly the same. Handley’s Jay Haynes also ran for 476 yards and five touchdowns on 30 carries in a 54-41 win over Jacksonville last season. Cornejo, who anchors the Warriors’ offense at running back for Coach Jacob Kelley, and Bothwell also each scored a touchdown in their 17th consecutive game. The AHSAA Record Book doesn’t have a category, however, for that accomplishment currently. – and joined Cornejo in reaching another major milestone. Both players have now scored at least
The state record for yards rushing in a single game is 531 yards set by Tony Dixon of Parrish High School in 2003 in a game won 81-53 over Hubbertville. The future University of Kentucky standout had just 21 carries in that Class 1A playoff win for the now-closed Walker County public school. Daleville’s Jalen White is the only player in AHSAA history to rush for 400 or more yards more than once, according the AHSAA Record Book. He rushed for 465 yards versus Geneva County and 463 yards versus Barbour County in the 2019 season. Cornejo’s 420-yard effort tied Hubbertville’s Tommy Haley-Hicks for 13th on the all-time list. Haley-Hicks accomplished the feat in 2008 in a 76-52 victory over Hubbertville. Cherokee County became the third school in state history to have more than one player eclipse 400 rushing yards in a single game. Michael Perry ran for 457 yards on 30 carries in a 48-20 victory over Hokes Bluff 32 years earlier in the 1991 season. Daleville and Keith high schools have had two different players reach that mark as well. Cornejo has 974 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through four games this season. The Warriors finished the night with 563 yards rushing, which ranks 12th best all time in the AHSAA. Keyshawn Woods added 84 yards on nine totes with three scores. Cherokee County’s defense was led by Tae Diamond, Tristan Brown, and Jace Turner, who had 13 tackles, 10 tackles and eight tackles, respectively. Turner also had his fifth interception of the season.
MILESTONES CEDAR BLUFF WINS ON SPECIAL NIGHT FOR CARPENTER: Running back Hunter Jenkins Totaled 176 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns (21, 10 and 28 yards) in the Tigers’ 42-12 Class 1A, Region 7 win over Gaylesville. The game also highlighted a special ceremony for longtime basketball coach Joe Carpenter, who retired in March of 2021. During the pre-game ceremonies, Cedar Bluff honored its boys’ and girls’ Final Four basketball teams. As part of the ceremony, the Tigers announced a resolution was passed by the Cherokee County Commission naming the basketball court in honor of Carpenter, who spent 37 years as an educator and coach at White Plains (1983-84), Ragland (1984-92), and Cedar Bluff (1993-2021). At Cedar Bluff, Carpenter coached a variety of sports at one time or another during his tenure at Cedar Bluff. He guided Lady Tigers’ track and field teams to seven Class 1A state titles (2000, 2007-12). He also coached the boys’ basketball team to state Final Four appearances in 2011 and 2012, and the Lady Tigers to the Final Four in 2013. He’s won a combined 730 basketball games in his coaching career with 23 winning seasons. Despite being retired, he is returned to the classroom this year teaching at Cherokee County High School filling in for a teacher on maternity leave. Alex Baty also contributed 97 yards rushing and two TDs on 12 carries and le the Tigers’ defense with eight tackles. LADAMIAN BOYD, CENTRAL, CLAY COUNTY: Scored on his first carry of the game and finished the night with 254 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 16 carries as the Volunteers handed Elmore County (3-1) its first loss of the season in the Class 5A, Region 4 win. The victory was the 344th win coached by Central’s Danny Horn, moving him just two wins behind retired Vestavia Hills Coach Buddy Anderson’s 346 victories. The AHSAA’s wins leader Terry Curtis of UMS-Wright dropped a 17-0 decision to Gulf Shores Friday and stands at 350-95-0. Anderson retired after the 2020 season with a 346-160-0record. Horn is now 344-96-0. Fyffe’s Paul Benefield is right behind at 339-56-0. RED MORGAN, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Returned a kickoff for a touchdown with 2:37 remaining – just moments after Opelika on an 80-yard pass play had scored to cut the Red Devils’ lead to 21-18. The kick return gave the Red Devils a 28-18 win in the tough Class 7A, Region 2 battle in the 81st playing of the East Alabama series. Central now leads the series 48-33. Leading 14-10 with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter, Jacob Tenney took the quick throw to the left side from quarterback Andrew Alford, shucked a defender and raced in from the 9-yard line to make it 21-10. Opelika countered following the kickoff with an 80-yard TD pass from Roman Gagliano to Jordan Torbert over the outstretched arms of Morgan, a standout defensive back, for an 80-yard TD connection at 2:43. Gagliano completed the 2-point conversion pass to his brother Drue Gagliano to pull within three points 21-18. On the ensuing kickoff, Central’s Morgan picked up the kickoff, which hit at the one and bounced back to the 6-yard line and ran 94 yards for the clinching score. Alford finished 11-of-23 passing for 227 yards and three TDs, and Gagliano was 24-of-30 for 262 yards and two TDs. MICAH CHRISTENSEN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Had nine carries for 239 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a 65-12 victory over Elkmont in 3A, Region 8. Teammate Jackson Hamm rushed four times for 134 yards and scored twice and Jaxson Lovelace added two touchdown runs as the Tigers rushed for rushed for 638 yards. Braxton Rose and Xavier Mason also had touchdown runs. The rushing total ranks sixth all-time in AHSAA history according to The AHSAA Record Book online at www.ahsaa.com. The state record (806 yards) was set by now closed Class 1A Parrish of Walker County in an 81-58 win over Hubbertville in 2003. BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Completed 16-of-18 passes for 94 yards and two TDs and rushed 10 times for 145 yards and three scores as the Wildcats (2-1) downed St. John Paul II Catholic 47-28 in Class 4A, Region 8. His 239 total yards moved him into sixth place in the AHSAA for career total offense with 11,157 total yards. He also climbed to sixth place for most touchdowns accounted (148) in the win. CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: The senior quarterback and Troy University commitment became the 11th player in AHSAA history to surpass 10,000 career total yards with 141 yards rushing and 102 yards passing as the Knights (4-0) beat Slocomb 42-0 in Class 4A, Region 2. He completed 5-of-9 passes with two touchdowns and one interception to pass former Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston of Hueytown (9,853 yards) on the all-time list. He needed just four carries to rush for 141 yards and one TD. The win for the Knights was their 28th consecutive regular-season victory dating back to 2020 and their 29th consecutive region victory dating back to 2019. CORNELIUS GRIFFIN Jr., PIKE COUNTY: Completed a 13-yard pass to A’tavyn Davenport for the first TD pass of his prep career in the Bulldogs’ 47-0 win over Northside Methodist Academy. The sophomore is the son of former Pike County all-state player Cornelius Griffin, who was an All-SEC defensive lineman at Alabama who spent 10 seasons in the NFL where he had 425 tackles and 29 sacks in his pro career with the Giants and Redskins. New York drafted him in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Starting quarterback Omari Barrow led Pike County (2-1) with 209 yards passing and three touchdowns on a 4-of-5 passing performance in the Class 3A, Region 2 win. KOLTON OWENS, MARS HILL BIBLE: Raced 95 yards for a rushing touchdown as the Panthers (4-0) scored on five long plays of 50 yards or more to beat Clements 61-3 in Class 3A, Region 8. Griffin Hanson also had an 82-yard TD run, Hudson Higgins caught a 54-yard TD pass and had a 67-yard punt return, and Jay Dobbs scored on a 73-yard run. RUSHING JUNIOR SMITH, DALE COUNTY: Dale County’s quarterback had a huge game in a 57-42 loss to Montgomery Academy. He accounted for 455 total yards and six touchdowns – rushing for 325 yards with five TDs on runs of 5, 13, 23, 3 and 7 yards. He also completed 6-of-16 passes for 130 yards including a 36-yard touchdown pass. He also recorded 10 tackles on defense with one sack. KOLTON NERO, FOLEY: Ran for 276 yards and four scores on 27 carries in a 51-44 Class 7A, Region 1 loss to Baker. He also caught two passes for 24 yards.
ALVIN HENDERSON, ELBA: Rushed for 268 yards on 22 carries and scored five touchdowns in Elba’s 48-0 Class 1A, Region 2 win over Brantley. Henderson scored on runs of 1, 14, 1, 21 and 16 yards. BRYSON HUGHES, G.W. LONG: The Rebels’ quarterback rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries and finished 13-of-17 passing for 196 yards and another score off 13-of-17 to lead G.W. Long over Ariton in a Class 2A, Region 2 contest. Hughes scored on runs of 11, 6, 30 and 2 yards and threw a 74-yard TD pass.
JAX FILLMORE, FLOMATON: The workhorse running back rushed for 258 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries to lead the Hurricanes to a 34-14 win over Cottage Hill Christian in Class 3A, Region 1. He added two catches for 38 yards and another TD to finish with 296 total yards and five scores. JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: Ran 32 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns and was 7-of-13 passing for 65 yards as the Rebels beat Hoover 26-7 for their first win in the series since 2015. IAN SENN, ARITON: Rushed for 257 yards and two touchdowns and completed 5-of-10 passes for 79 yards with one TD in a 33-27 loss to G.W. Long in Class 2A, Region 2.
NOAH MOSS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Ran for 231 yards and two TDs on 32 rush attempts in the Cardinals’ 41-26 Class 4A, Region 1 victory over Escambia County. JABARI WILLIAMS, WALTER WELLBORN: Rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns, and the Panthers rushed for 463 of their 526 total yards while picking up their first win of the season a 60-34 Class 4A, Region 4 victory over Beulah. JA’MICHIAEL JONES, PIKE ROAD: Ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries as the Patriots downed Sidney Lanier 52-33 in Class 6A, Region 2. He also caught a 9-yard pass for his five TD of the night. RYKELUS ROBERTSON, VINCENT: Had 12 carries for 187 yards and three touchdowns as the unbeaten Yellow Jackets (4-0) beat 43-13 in Class 2A, Region 4 to set up a battle of unbeatens this Thursday with B.B. Comer (4-0) at Sylacauga’s Legion Stadium in the AHSAA TV Network/WOTM Game of the Week.
DREW GAGLIN, LAWRENCE COUNTY: Ran 15 times for 200 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Red Devils to a 56-27 win over Ardmore. His scoring runs covered 3, 5, 72 and 2 yards. LAYTON SIMS, J.U. BLACKSHER: The Bulldogs’ quarterback had a workhorse effort with 40 carries for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-26 overtime loss in Class 2A, Region 1. He also completed 2-of-4 passes for 28 yards and a third TD. M.J. MORRIS, ALEXANDRIA: Ran for 191 yards and one TD on 28 carries and caught two passes for 43 yards in a 24-17, Class 5A, Region 6 setback to Lincoln. JAXON VINSON, RED BAY: Had 17 rushes for 190 yards and four touchdowns as Red Bay (2-1) beat Sheffield 50-6 in Class 2A, Region 8. JAQUESS GREENE, MUSCLE SHOALS: Rushed 14 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns and sped 78 yards on a kickoff return for a fifth TD in the 66-28 Class 6A, Region 7 win over Athens. JORDAN WASHINGTON, HELENA: Rushed for 183 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns including 65-yard run to open the scoring in the Huskies’ 37-10 Class 6A, Region 3 victory over Chilton County. OMARION PINCKNEY, DALEVILLE: Rolled up 303 total yards and all four of his team’s touchdowns in Daleville’s 28-0 win over New Brockton in Class 3A, Region 2. He rushed for 178 yards and three TDs on 21 carries and was 10-of-15 passing for 125 yards and score. T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Finished with 171 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries in the Titans’ 63-41 victory over Fort Payne. He also caught a 34-yard touchdown pass. MASON STUART, ZION CHAPEL: Rushed for 174 yards on 27 carries and passed for 113 yards completing 4-of-6 tosses in the Rebels’ 22-20 win over Samson in Class 2A, Region 2. He had a rushing and passing touchdown. RAZAREO CONWELL, MONTEVALLO: Needed just 13 carries to Gain 168 yards rushing and score four touchdowns as the Bulldogs downed Dallas County 42-8 in Class 4A, Region 3. He had TD runs covering 1, 9, 69 and 13 yards.
MALIK MAHAMMAD, PARKER: Had four rush attempts for 147 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Thundering Herd, which had 684 total yards on the night, to a 62-28 win over Mortimer Jordan in Class 6A, Region 5. He was 7-of-9 passing for 55 yards and a fourth TD. His final TD run covered 62 yards. Parker finished with 495 yards. Teammate Amari Brundidge led all rushers with 175 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. JULYON JORDAN, GUNTERSVILLE: Ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries in a 56-14 win over Douglas in Class 5A, Region 7.
DOMINIC BRUCE, WENONAH: Rushed 16 times for 175 yards, adding two catches for 25 yards and had two touchdowns in the Dragons’ 19-14 victory over Carver-Birmingham in Class 5A, Region 5.
JAY FULLER, OAK GROVE: Had 13 rushes for 166 yards and two scores, adding three catches for 56 yards and a TD as the Tigers edged Hamilton 39-36 in Class 4A, Region 5.
AARON MANN, GLENCOE: Rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in the Yellow Jackets’ 56-34 loss to Westbrook Christian.
FONTAVIOUS JORDAN, PIEDMONT: Rushed for 155 yards and a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Bulldogs’ 24-13 win at Plainview in Class 3A, Region 6. The win was the first Piedmont head coach Jonathan Miller as the Bulldogs’ head coach. He took over for Steve Smith back in March after a successful 11 seasons at Saks, where he compiled a 100-32 record.
PASSING PARKER CROOK, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Finished 13-of-20 passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Dale County 57-42 in Class 4A, Region 2. JAMAR MALONE, DAPHNE: The Trojans’ quarterback passed for 323 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 48 yards and two scores in Daphne’s 56-14 Class 7A, Region 1 win at Davidson.
MASON HOLCOMB, PISGAH: Passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns in a 66-13 win over Collinsville in Class 2A, Region 7.
BRENDAN CONNER, CORNER: Completed 14-of-21 passes for 288 and four touchdowns and ran seven times for 45 yards and a TD as the unbeaten Yellow Jackets (3-0) beat Cordova 55-26 in Class 4A, Region 5 to up their season scoring average to 52.0 points per game.
SAMMY DUNN, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Passed 18 times and completed 14 for 269 yards and five touchdowns as the Admirals(4-0) downed Wilcox Central 41-19 in Class 4A, Region 1. JIM OGLE, JACKSONVILLE: Completed 19-of-29 passes for 259 yards and four TDs in a 52-24 victory over Anniston in Class 4A, Region 4. His scoring tosses covered 74, 123, 7 and 13 yards. GUNNER RIVERS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: The freshman quarterback was 17-of-26 passing for 258 yards and three touchdowns as Cardinals (2-2) handed Escambia County (3-1) its first loss of the season in a Class 4A, Region 1 battle at Fairhope. JAYLEN MBAKWE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Led the Cougars (4-0) to their fourth straight win completing 13-of-21 passes for 256 yards and two TDs in a 41-0 win over Pinson Valley in Class 6A, Region 6. He also rushed for two TDs. JUMARIA HAMILTON, FAIRFIELD: Was 15-of-25 passing for 224 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards and another score as the Tigers (1-3) beat Jasper 34-26 in the AHSAA TV Network/WOTM Game of the week. He finished with 300 total yards. WILLIAM MITCHELL, RANDOLPH: Completed 15-of-19 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 129 yards and a TD in a 36-6 win over North Jackson in Class 4A, Region 8.
LUKE SONGY, ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Accounted for 414 total yards and all four touchdowns for St. John Paul II in a 47-28 loss to Westminster Christian in Class 4A, Region 8. He was 16-of-26 passing for 202 yards and rushed 16 times for 212 yards four r scores. CLAYTON MAINS, PELHAM: Was 18-of-28 passing for 256 yards and three TDs in the Panthers’ 28-21 loss to Briarwood in 6A, Region 3. DAMON GATSON, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns on a 16-of-19 passing performance as the unbeaten Leopards (4-0) beat Excel 55-0 in Class 3, Region 1. DAX VARNADORE, FORT PAYNE: Was 15-of-29 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns against Gadsden City in a 63-44 Class 6A, Region 8 loss. JOSH THOMPSON, BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN: Led the Lions to a 28-21 win over Class 6A, Region 3 rival Pelham completing 17-of-21 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a third in the come-from-behind triumph. His 52-yard pass to Sawyer Click put Briarwood ahead for good in the second half. TYLER PEARCE, BOAZ: Was 18-of-27 passing for 240 yards and one TD as the Pirates beat Cleburne County 35-21. His TD pass to Jakai Hudgins covered 66 yards. Pearce also scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper. KEYSHAWN COLE, CARROLL: The Eagles’ quarterback for 312 yards and three touchdowns in Carroll’s 34-24 comeback win over Charles Henderson in Class 5A, Region 2. Cole was 12-of-21 passing for 196 yards with one TD and rushed for 116 yards and two scores on 14 carries.
GREYSON CARROLL, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Finished with 273 combined yards and accounted for five touchdowns in the Warriors’ 56-34 Class 3A, Region 6 win over Glencoe. He was 8-of-16 passing for 122 yards and two scores and rushed 17 times for 151 yards and three TDs in the win. JOHN DAVID JUSTUS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Was 14-for-18 passing for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Conquerors’ 48-0 Class 1A, Region 7 win over Decatur Heritage. He also had six rushes for 37 yards and two TDs. CASON MYERS, PIKE ROAD: The freshman was 14-of-22 passing for 202 yards and two TDs as the Patriots beat Sidney Lanier 52-33 at Cramton Bowl in Class 6A, Region 2. LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: The Aggies QB finished 9-of-14 passing for 186 yards and two TDs in a 38-7 win over T.R. Miller in 4A, Region 1. MASON MIMS, OXFORD: Led the Jackets (4-0) to a 52-0 win over Huffman in Class 6A, Region 6 with an 11-of-13 passing performance for 184 yards and one touchdown. NATE ROGERS, WETUMPKA: Passed for 172 yards and rushed for 94 and accounted for two TDs as the Indians (1-2) won their first game of the season beating Park Crossing 37-14 at Cramton Bowl in a Class 6A, Region 2 contest.
PASS RECEIVING D.J. VINSON, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Grabbed eight pass receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 57-42 Class 4A, Region victory over Dale County. He also had six tackles and an interception on defense. C.J. TOLBERT, PELHAM: Reeled in five pass receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-21 loss to 6A, Region 3 rival Briarwood Christian. JAYDEN PATTON, GLENCOE: Had seven receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets’ 56-34 loss to Westbrook Christian. COLBY HESTER, OHATCHEE: Nabbed five receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns in a 64-34 loss to Sylvania in Class 3A, Region 6
BRODY JONES, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Caught eight pass receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns as St. Michael downed Escambia County 41-26 in 4A, Region 1. COLEMAN MALDONADO, MORTIMER JORDAN: Collected nine pass receptions for 154 yards and three scores in the Blue Devils’ 62-28 loss to unbeaten Parker. JAYLON ELMER, MURPHY: Caught seven passes for 154 yards and one TD in the Panthers’ 24-8 loss to St. Paul’s Episcopal. BRYCE CAIN, BAKER: The Auburn wide receiver commit caught four passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the Hornets’ 51-44 Class 7A, Region 1 victory over Foley. GATLIN COX, SAND ROCK: Caught the game-winning touchdown pass and ensuing 2-point conversion from freshman quarterback Alec Ashley in the fourth quarter, lifting the Wildcats (1-3) to a 14-7 homecoming victory over Section in Class 2A, Region 7. Cox also had four tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery on defense for Sand Rock. JAMIR GOODLOE, MUSCLE SHOALS: Finished with four receptions for 129 yards and scored on a 74-yard connection in a 66-28 victory over Athens in 6A, Region 7. CHAPEL POPE, SPRING GARDEN: Caught two passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns (36 and 88 yards). He also ran for 112 yards on seven with an 8-yard touchdown and had a 2-point conversion in leading the Panthers to a 41-7 homecoming win over Victory Christian in Class 1A, Region 6. DAMONTE SINCLAIR, JACKSONVILLE: Managed six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns covering 74 and 12 yards in a 52-24 win over Anniston in 4A, Region 4. CAMARE HAMPTON, OXFORD: Caught five passes for 108 yards and one TD in the Jackets’52-0 Class 6A, Region 6 victory over Huffman. NASIR POWELL, JACKSON : Pulled in six pass receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns to lead the unbeaten Aggies (3-0) to s 48-7 victory over T.R. Miller in Class 4A, Region 1. HUNTER HALE, HELENA: Grabbed three catches for 102 yards for the Huskies (4-0) in a 37-10 Class 6A win over Chilton County. DAUGHTERY GOBER, HACKLEBURG: Hauled TD receptions of 55 and 5 yards, the latter catch coming with 49 seconds to play as the Panthers beat Addison 32-28 in Class 1A, Region 8. Addison’s four TDs came on long runs covering 38, 47, 50 and 70 yards. SKYLAR TOWNSEND, TANNER: Caught two touchdown passes, rushed for a score, and returned an interception for a touchdown during Tanner's 48-18 win over Falkville in Class 2A, Region 8. His scores came on pass receptions of 20 and 35 yards, a 1-yard run and an interception he returned for a TD on the second play of the third quarter. TY DOUGHTY, JAMES CLEMENS: Made five receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 64 yards and a TD on three carries in a 45-31 win over Huntsville in Class 7A, Region 4. NOLAN FOWLER, FORT PAYNE: Caught five passes for 103 yards in a 63-41 loss to Gadsden City. DEFENSE LANDON ANDLER, GOSHEN: Managed 19 tackles with three stops for losses in the Eagles’ 43-25 Class 3A, Region 3 loss to Reeltown. QB REESE, RAMSAY: Had 18 tackles with a tackle for-loss and forced a fumble in the defensing Class 5A state champions’ 49-17 victory over Pleasant Grove in Class 5A, Region 5.
DEMARION SMITH, ABBEVILLE: Led the Jackets’ defense with 17 tackles and an interception as the Yellow Jackets blanked Geneva County 20-0 in Class 2A, Region 2. KENNDY “KJ” AUSTIN, SATSUMA: Austin had 17 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Gators’ 17-15 triumph over Class 4A, Region 1 foe Orange Beach.
BRANDON PURIFOY, VIGOR: Collected 15 tackles, two tackles for a loss, an interception and returned a fumble 95 yards for a score in a 12-0 defensive victory over Williamson in Class 5A, Region 1.
IZAAC MURRAY, WICKSBURG: Totaled 15 tackles, including one quarterback sack, in a 28-20 loss to Cottonwood in 2A, Region 2. WILL HARDIN, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Made 15 tackles, including three for losses, as the Eagles beat Class 4A, Region 2 foe Slocomb 57-42. SHARMARVION MOSLEY, WEST MORGAN: Led West Morgan to a 56-14 win over Central-Florence with 14 tackles on defense, including a sack and forced fumble. Teammate Wes Bradford returned a fumble 86 yards for a TD. The Rebels (4-0) are currently leading the AHSAA in scoring with 57 ppg after four games. COLE ULRICH, ELBERTA: Picked off three passes on defense and had six tackles as Elberta beat LeFlore 31-13 in 5A, Region 1. He also had five receptions for 95 yards on offense. LARRY BOONE-WEAVER, CHICKASAW: Had 12 tackles on defense and rushed for 154 yards and four TDs on offense in a 28-26 win over J.U. Blacksher in Class 2A, Region 1. His tackle on the final play of the game sealed the win. WEBBER McCLINTON, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Swiped two interceptions and had nine tackles on defense as the Wildcats (4-0) remained unbeaten with a 38-6 victory over Alabama Christian in Class 4A, Region 2. He also caught two touchdown passes with receptions of 50 and 15 yards thrown by his brother Walter McClinton. BRODIE PHILLIPS, FLOMATON: Recorded 13 tackles and forced a fumble on defense to pace the Hurricanes to a 34-14 Class 3A, Region 1 win over Cottage Hill Christian. BRODY BLEVINS, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Had 11 tackles and an interception in the Warriors’ 56-34 Class 3A, Region 6 win over Glencoe
LANDON THOMPSON, COTTONWOOD: Notched 10 tackles, recovered a fumble, and hauled in an interception in a 28-20 win over Wicksburg.
ELFREEMAN MORTON, MONTEVALLO: Led the Bulldogs’ defense with 10 tackles in a 42-8 Class 4A, Region 3 win over Dallas County. LOGAN SILVA, ARAB: Recorded nine tackles in a 29-26 victory over Sardis in Class 5A, Region 7, and also rushed 18 times on offense for 95 yards and three scores for the Knights. AZARIEL TODD, HOUSTON COUNTY: Managed four quarterback sacks, finished with six tackles and a fumble recovery as the Lions beat McKenzie 40-35 in Class 1A, Region 2. He also rushed for the TDs on offense. RONNIE ROYAL, GULF SHORES: Returned an interception 78 yards in the second half to lift the Dolphins (4-0) past UMS-Wright 17-0 in Class 5A, Region 1. EARNEST SMITH, DESHLER: Had two of his team’s five interceptions on defense as the Tigers rolled past Elkmont 69-18. SPECIAL TEAMS CLETE O’BRYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The junior linebacker/receiver/running back/kick returner finished with 288 combined yards and six touchdowns in the Conquerors’ 48-0 win over previously undefeated Decatur Heritage in Class 1A, Region 7. He returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown and returned a kickoff 60 yards. He also caught seven passes for 152 yards for a 21.7-yard average and two touchdowns, and recorded 10 tackles, including six stops for a loss, and recovered a fumble as the Coosa Christian defense limited the Eagles to 91 yards total offense while causing five turnovers, including three fumbles. PEYTON PLOTT, CARROLL: Returned two kickoffs for 103 yards and one punt for 46 yards in the Eagles’ 34-24 victory over Charles Henderson in 5A, Region 2. He also snagged seven pass receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. ZION WILLIAMS, SARALAND: Had a major role in a pair of special teams plays as the defending Class 6A state champion Spartans beat Spanish Fort 49-7 for Saraland’s 10th straight victory. He returned one blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown and blocked another that teammate Jamison Curtis returned for a TD in the 6A, Region 1 victory.
DEUCE OLIVER, THOMPSON: Returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown, and caught three passes for 60 yards, including a 48-yard TD, to lead the defending Class 7A state champion Warriors (3-0) to a 55-14 victory over Region 3 rival Spain Park. The was the seventh in a row for Thompson, which has won the last four Class 7A state football crowns. DRE KILPATRICK, GADSDEN CITY: Returned a kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown, rushed for a 40-yard TD and played well in the secondary as the Titans (3-1) beat Fort Payne 63-41. BRAYLIN JACKSON, PIKE COUNTY: Returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown and caught two passes for 131 yards and two TDs to help the Bulldogs beat Northside Methodist 47-0 in Class 3A, Region 2. MICHAEL MOORE, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring and hauled in a 70-yard TD pass from Damien Gatson in a 55-0 Class 3A, Region 1 win over Excel.
COOPER WINGATE, EUFAULA: Booted a 37-yard field goal and was 6-for-6 on extra points in the Tigers’ 45-13 win over Class 5A, Region 2 foe Greenville. KENNY WESLEY, CHELSEA: Scooped up an Oak Mountain punt blocked by Anderson Brooks and sped 60 yards for a first-half touchdown as the Hornets edged the Eagles 21-13 in Class 7A, Region 3. GAVIN CALDWELL, COLBERT HEIGHTS: Returned a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown and teammate Steven Wilbanks rushed for 150 yards and two TDs (40 and 45 yards) as the Wildcats (1-3) handed new head coach Tyler Jeffreys his first varsity coaching victory. ST. JOHN PAUL II KICKING TEAM: Recovered three onside kicks in the Falcons’ 47-28 loss to Westminster Christian.