AHSAA Spotlight Performances for October 3rd and 4th

jamieriggs33
Oct 9
23 min read

Gunner Rivers of St. Michael's

Thanks to David Holtsford of the AHSAA for this article

St. Michael snaps Jackson Streak with 49-39 Win

MONTGOMERY – St. Michael Catholic High School junior quarterback Gunner Rivers led the Cardinals to their biggest win in school history last week to land in this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight.

The 49-39 victory over Jackson in Class 4A, Region 1 shares this week’s spotlight with two other exciting Class 4A contests – Madison Academy’s 57-56 Region 8 victory over North Jackson, and Dale County’s 45-21 victory over Opp in Region 2.

Rivers turned in a phenomenal performance completing 25-of-37 passes for 300 yards and five touchdowns as the Cardinals beat Jackson for the first time in the young program’s history. St. Michael is 21-4 over its last 25 games with three of those losses coming delivered by Jackson. In addition, two major milestone coaching achievements by Plainview’s Dale Pruitt and Bibb County’s Matt Geohagan can be found in the “MILESTONE” section of this week’s top football performances reported from around the state.

“This was just an unbelievable game and unbelievable effort,” St. Michael coach Philip Rivers told al.com sportswriter Randy Kennedy following the Cardinals’ big win over the Aggies. “It’s a big-time accomplishment to come to Jackson and score 49 points and win.”

The victory put unbeaten St. Michael (6-0) all alone at the top of the Region 1 standings at 4-0. Jackson (5-2), Mobile Christian (5-1), W.S. Neal (4-2), and Orange Beach (4-3) are all tied at 2-1 in region play.

Defending Class 4A state champion Jackson, coached by Cody Flournoy, totaled 546 yards in the battle with St. Michael – thanks in big part to running back sensation E.J. Crowell, who had 336 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Both teams combined for 958 yards on offense – Jackson with 546 yards and St. Michael with 412 yards. The game played before packed stadium also saw Crowell go over 1,000 yards rushing for the third straight season. His performance upped his career rushing totals TO 4,891 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns on 426 carries, according to MaxPreps statistical service.

Madison Academy quarterback Charleston Owens led the Mustangs (5-1) to a wild 57-56 victory over North Jackson (4-2). He was 19-of-31 passing for 291 yards and three touchdowns in a game that produced almost 1,000 total yards and 113 points by both teams. Owens also rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown – and converted the game-winning two-point conversion as Madison Academy overcame a 56-42 deficit in the fourth quarter to post the key Region 8 victory.

North Jackson, coached by Joe Hollis, scored three second-quarter touchdowns to take the lead 28-14 at halftime. Nicholas Price, who ran for 367 yards and two touchdowns, on 33 carries, scored both his TDs in the second period on runs of 45 and 55 yards.

Trailing 34-21 in the third period after North Jackson’s Kadyn Pace scored on a 17-yard run, Madison Academy’s Zyan Williams returned the kickoff 89 yards for a TD – setting the pace for a wild finish. Pace, who rushed for 88 yards four touchdowns on 11 carries, scored on a 79-yard pass from Haven Massengile in the fourth quarter to put the Chiefs ahead 48-35 and again on a 17-yard run as North Jackson led 56-42. Owens closed out the game, however, with s 20-yard TD pass to Williams, who finished with eight catches for 107 yards and two receiving TDs. Owens then scored on a 13-yard TD run – setting up his keeper for the game-winning two-point conversion.

Madison Academy head coach Bob Godsey, in his seventh year with the Mustangs, picked up the 245^th win of his coaching career – improving to 245-82 in 28 seasons overall. Both teams combined for 996 total yards and 50 first downs with North Jackson (583) rushing for 499 yards.

Dale County (4-2) scored three touchdowns in the final 7:31 of the fourth quarter – including two scores in the final two minutes – to beat Opp in a classic come-from-behind victory 35-21, according to the Dothan Eagle sportswriter David Mundee’s report. The victory improved Dale County to 3-1 in Region 2, dropped Opp (5-1) to 3-1 in region play – locking four teams in tie for the region lead heading after Week 6. Ashford (5-1) and Straughn (4-2) are also tied for the region lead at 3-1 while New Brockton (4-2) and Pike County (3-3) are one game back at 2-2 in the eight-team region.

Junior Smith, who had six tackles including three quarterback sacks, caused two fumbles during Dale County’s fourth-quarter comeback. Trailing 21-13, he scored on a 39-yard run with 7:31 remaining, then completed a two-point conversion pass to Stacy Atkins to tie the game at 21-21. On following Opp series, Jordan Owens caused a fumble with Atkins recovering at the Bobcats’ 40-yard line, and Smith scored on a 1-yard run to give the Warriors a 28-21 lead with 1:48 left.

Less than a minute later, Smith, who had six tackles on defense with three sacks and two caused fumbles and ripped the ball from an Opp runner which Atkins scooped up and returned 75 yards for the clinching touchdown. Atkins finished with seven tackles and the two fumble recoveries. Smith rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 45 yards on offense in addition to his outstanding play on defense.

Other highlight last week included two coaches reaching important milestone wins.

PLAINVIEW’S DALE PRUITT NOTCHES 325^TH COACHING WIN: The longtime head coach, currently in his third tenure at his alma mater Plainview (6-0) in Rainsville, saw his Bears defeat Madison County 41-21 last week to improve to 4-0 in Class 4A, Region 8. The victory was the 325^th win of his head coaching career, which includes 39 years in the AHSAA and five years coaching out of state.

This year’s 6-0 start is the best since Pruitt, currently in his 30^th season as Plainview’s head coach, led the Bears to a 13-0 start in 1999 before losing in the Class 3A semifinals to Lincoln 20-6. Pruitt’s three tenures at the DeKalb County high school located in Rainsville has produced a 232-112 record. With head-coaching stops at Albertville, Fort Payne and Pisgah, his overall record in the AHSAA is 293-147. Counting his out-of-state wins (30-23), he now owns a 325-170 overall coaching mark.

His two sons followed their dad into coaching. Luke Pruitt, in his first season as head coach at Class 5A Boaz (5-1), is 57-33 overall after compiling a 52-2-32 record in seven seasons at Pisgah, including three straight seasons of 10 or more wins in 2024 (11-2); 2023 (12-2); and 2021 (11-3). His oldest son Jeremy Pruitt, who quarterbacked his dad’s Plainview team to back-to-back 14-1 seasons and back-to-back Class 3A state championship game appearances in 1990 and 1991, has spent 26 seasons as a coach – working at the high and college level. Currently working on his dad’s coaching staff, he served as an assistant coach on the staff of Coach Nick Saban, helping the Crimson Tide win five national championships. He closed out career at Bama his defensive coordinator and later became head coach at the University of Tennessee (2018-202) and spent the 2021 coaching in the NFL with the New York Giants.

BIBB COUNTY COACH GEOHAGAN MOVES TO TOP: The Choctaws beat West Blocton 45-14 in Class 4A, Region 4 last week to push current head coach Matt Geohagan to the top of the coaching wins list in school history. Geohagan has compiled a 96-32 record since becoming head coach in 2015 – moving him past Stan Moss (95-66-2), who served as head coach from 1079-1993. Dick Dobbins (93-5-6), who served as head coach from 1038-1950, ranks third in Bibb County football history.

Geoghagan’s teams have reached state playoffs in each of the 10 years he has served as head coach at Bibb County – compiling an 11-10 playoff record and 64-7 region record during that span with seven region titles – all school records. The Choctaws (6-1) are currently 4-0 in Class 4A, Region 4 heading into Week 7 this week. Geohagan currently serves as a District 3 representative on the AHSAA Central Board of Control.

NA’DARIOUS MORGAN, LANETT: Scored on a 3-yard run late in the third quarter to give the Wildcats (5-2) a 20-19 lead over defending Class 2A state champion Reeltown (5-2). Lanett’s defense did the rest – blocking a put for a first-half touchdown and recovering a Rebels fumble at the Lanett 6-yard line in the fourth period to preserve the Region 4 win. Lanett improved to 3-0 in Region 4 and Reeltown fell to 3-1 – ending its consecutive region wins dating back to 2021 at 20 in a row.

LUKE SEXTON, SMITHS STATION: Scored four touchdowns to lead the Panthers (2-5) to a 42-32 triumph over Johnson, Abernathy, Graetz (JAG) in Class 7A, Region 2. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak in region play dating back to 2023 for Smiths Station, coached by Blair Harrison, who is in his first season as head coach.

JOHN FOSTER HAMM, ZION CHAPEL: Was one of three backs to run for more than 100 yards as the Rebels beat Pike Liberal Arts 36-20 in Class 2A, Region 3. Zion Chapel had 450 rushing yards on the night with Hamm netting 159 yards and one TD on 20 carries. Jeremiah Stinson added 115 yards on eight carries, and Brayden Benbow scored three touchdowns and rushed for 104 yards on eight rush attempts. Hamm also completed 7-of-9 passes for 90 yards – giving him 249 total yards on the night.

RUSHING

TREVOR TILLMAN, COTTONWOOD: Totaled 312 all-purpose yards and accounted for six touchdowns in the Bears’ 50-20 Class 2A, Region 2 victory over Geneva County. He raced 96 yards for a TD on a kickoff return and rushed for 216 yards and five touchdowns on 11 carries for Cottonwood (3-3-1).

JAVEON McLEOD, DALEVILLE: Rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns on treks 91, 62, and 55 yards to account for all three Warhawk touchdowns in the 57-20 loss to Pike County in Class 4A, Region 2.

A'RON LEE, RAGLAND: Picked up 268 yards on 22 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 58-21 victory over Valley Head in Class 1A, Region 8 for Ragland (2-4).

PRESTON WILLIAMS, G.W. LONG: Combined for 252 yards rushing and passing and three touchdowns in the Rebels’ 24-14 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Abbeville. He rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 78 yards and one score.

ZAY JOHNSON, ASHFORD: Had 225 yards total offense and three touchdowns to lead the Jackets (5-1) to a 22-10 win over Straughn in 4A, Region 2. He had 126 yards rushing and two scores on 17 carries and completed 5-of-6 passes for 99 yards and another score.

JAXON VINSON, RED BAY: The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior running back had 20 rush attempts for 214 yards and two touchdowns as Red Bay (5-1) beat Tupelo Chistian (MS) 36-8. He also caught four passes for 87 yards.

RYDER GIPSON, FYFFE: The Red Devils’ running back ran for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries as Fyffe (5-1) beat Sylvania 41-6 in Class 3A, Region 8.

JUDD GREEN, KINSTON: Ran 17 times for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-26 loss to Florala in Class 1A, Region 2.

GREYSON WEST, FLORALA: Rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries and snagged three pass receptions for 84 yards and one TD as the Wildcats (2-3) beat Kinton 42-26 in Class 1A, Region 2.

JACOBI EDMONDSON, SCOTTSBORO: The senior running back rushed for 203 yards on 18 carries and scored three touchdowns in Scottsboro’s 34-31 loss to Brewer in Class 5A, Region 8 to go over 1,000 rushing yards for the third straight year. He joined former Scottsboro backs Trent Johnson and Dekarlos Billingsley in achieving that accomplishment. Edmondson currently ranks fourth on Scottsboro’s career rushing yards list.

PRESLEY FANT, BOAZ: The strong runner totaled 196 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates’ 28-24 win over Sardis in Class 5A, Region 8. Boaz (5-1) improved to 2-1 in region play.

TODRICK WITHERS, WILIAMSON: Had 14 rush attempts for 178 yards and three touchdowns as the unbeaten Lions (6-0) beat Faith Academy 54-0 to improve to 4-0 in Class 6A, Region 1. Williamson has outscored its opponents 365-14 this season with the defense netting four shutouts this season in six wins and not allowing a point in the last 12 quarters.

HUDSON HIGGINS, MARS HILL BIBLE: Gained 175 yards rushing on 10 carries with four touchdowns as the Panthers (6-0) improved to 4-0 in Class 3A, Region 7 with a 56-10 victory over Rogers.

JAKE HARPER, FAIRVIEW: Ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries as the unbeaten Aggies (6-0) beat Russellville 35-28 to improve to 4-0 in Class 5A, Region 7.

JORDAN SMITH, RAMSAY: Had 12 carries for 164 yards and 3 TDs in the Rams’ 73-6 Class 5A, Region 5 win over Hayden. Ramsay (4-3) improved to 3-1 in the region.

SPENCER UNRUH, CORNER: The Jackets’ workhorse running back had 34 rush attempts for 141 yards and three touchdowns in s 42-27 victory for Corner (5-1) over Briarwood (3-4) in Class 5A, Region 5. Unruh also had three pass receptions for 81 yards and a fourth score as the Jackets improved to 2-1 in the region while the Lions suffer their first loss to fall to 3-1.

ELI SCHALGETER, GERALDINE: Ran for 150 yards on 13 carries and caught 48-yard TD pass in a 29-19 victory over Collinsville in Class 3A, Region 8.

KAIDEN MIMS, WICKSBURG: Ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, and teammate Teagan Fowler added 111 yards and one TD on 11 rush attempts as the Panthers downed Prattville Christian 42-14 in Class 3A, Region 2.

JEREMIAH MILLER, CEDAR BLUFF: Totaled 22 carries for 145 yards and a 3-yard TD run in a 34-6 Class 2A, Region 7 loss to Pleasant Valley. He contributed eight tackles with two sacks on defense.

JACK SENTELL, GAYLESVILLE: Rush for five touchdowns to lead Trojans to a 38-21 victory over Ider in Class 1A, Region 8. He had 18 carries for 137 yards with TD runs of 4, 14, 38, 1 and 9 yards, and he had five tackles on defense. Teammate Aydn Heinrich added 116 yards on 17 carries with a 52-yard touchdown run. He finished with 10 tackles on defense.

BRADY RUARK, SPRING GARDEN: Had 180 yards total offense in the Panthers’ 20-8 Class 1A, Region 8 setback to undefeated Appalachian. He rushed for 90 yards on 20 carries and completed 8-of-17 passes for 90 yards.