The AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association recognized 11 area football players for their Week 1 performances on Thursday and Friday.
Class 2A Sand Rock (1-0) led the area with four players receiving recognition following a 48-42 win at Pisgah on Friday.
Junior quarterback Ace Ashley completed 14-of-22 pass attempts for 153 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 10-yard toss to Logan Crider with 28 seconds remaining.
Junior running back Trace Haygood ran for 156 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns (31, 17 and 15 yards).
On defense, the Wildcats were led by senior defensive backs Olin Pruitt and Tru Graham. Pruitt posted five tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter. He also caught three passes for 49 yards as a receiver. Graham collected 9 ½ tackles.
Sand Rock travels to Westbrook Christian (1-0) this Friday.
At Spring Garden, senior quarterback Chaz Pope completed 14-of-17 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns (64, 26 and 22 yards) to lead the Class 2A, No. 7 Panthers to a 40-0 win over Cherokee County rival Cedar Bluff.
It was the first time Spring Garden (1-0) had beaten Cedar Bluff (0-1) in back-to-back seasons and just the fifth win overall in 47 meetings versus the Tigers. The Panthers won 55-0 in last year’s season opener.
Senior receiver Cooper Austin finished with six catches for 125 yards and TDs of 64 and 26 yards. Senior defensive end Landon Gowens recorded seven tackles and four sacks.
Spring Garden is at West End of Walnut Grove (1-1) this Friday.
At Crossville, Collinsville junior quarterback Keaton Deboard rushed for 144 yards and his team’s three touchdowns on 27 carries, including a game-tying 11-yard score with 2:10 remaining, in the Panthers’ 21-20 win. His other touchdown runs were 11 and 9 yards. He also threw for 71 yards and had a pair of kickoff returns totaling 69 yards.
On defense, junior linebacker Fernando Padilla recovered a pair of fumbles.
Collinsville travels to defending Class 3A state champion Fyffe (1-0) on Friday.
Staying in Class 3A, Piedmont senior defensive back Omarion Foster registered 15 tackles and picked off a pair of passes in the second-ranked Bulldogs’ 27-0 victory over Cherokee County (0-1). Junior quarterback Jack Hayes threw for 120 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, and ran for 71 more and a 2-yard score in the Bulldog victory.
Piedmont (1-0) travels to Saks (2-0) this Friday.
In other statewide happenings, senior quarterback Walter Taylor III grabbed the AHSAA Prep Football Spotlight this week thanks to his strong offensive play as Jackson High School downed Clarke County 40-20 in the 106th meeting of the two southwest Alabama schools.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior completed 10-of-16 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns and scored a fourth TD on a 38-yard run to lead the Aggies of Coach Cody Flournoy past Clarke County in the rivalry which was first played in 1917. The two teams have met at least once each year since 1925.
Jamarion Sampson hauled in four passes from Taylor for 167 yards and two TD. Taylor has accounted for 11 touchdowns in two games this season.
The two teams have played every year since that first game except for 1918 and 1924.
Tychius Caves also returned a kickoff 62 yards for a touchdown, rushed for 56 yards and a TD and had three catches for 101 yards and a third score in the Aggies’ win.
The Aggies’ win last week was the 13th in the last 14 series meetings for Jackson. Clarke County snapped a 12-game losing streak in the rivalry with a 33-8 win in 2020.
Jackson, which is located in Clarke County, leads the series 69-30-7. It did not field a team in 1918.
Taylor’s performance edged out a clutch effort by Wetumpka High School quarterback Nathan Rogers and a school-record rushing performance by Whitesburg Christian’s Ryan Turner for this week’s Spotlight.
Rogers tossed a 40-yard “Hail Mary” pass to Jamarion Thrasher on the last play of the game to give the Indians a wild 18-14 come-from-behind victory over Tallassee at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium.
Rogers was 5-of-18 passing for 67 yards and rushed for 144 yards on 14 carries. He scored two third-quarter touchdowns on runs of 21 and 8 yards to cut the deficit to 14-12 heading into the last quarter.
Turner ran for a school-record 342 yards and four touchdowns and converted a pair of 2-point conversions in a 51-28 win over Asbury. The 51 points are also a school record for Whitesburg, which is playing varsity football for just its second year.
MILESTONES
JAKEL WILLIAMS, LEE-MONTGOMERY: Passed for four touchdowns in the first half with strikes of 13 and 55 yards to Daniel Scott, a 69-yarder to Christopher Dillihay and a 43-yard toss to Dyuri Vandriver and the Generals cruised to a 41-13 win over Jeff Davis. The game was dedicated to the Lee teammate Dmitri McKee, who passed away on August 13.
The game started with Lee lining up for an offensive snap without a left tackle, McKee’s position, on the field. Fellow Montgomery County School Jeff Davis had its players on defense kneel down in show of respect for Lee as all in attendance honored their deceased senior.
WHIT ARMISTEAD, HOMEWOOD: Kicked the game-winning 20-yard field goal – his first varsity attempt – to give the Patriots a 9-7 victory over Vestavia Hills. He was pressed into service for injured starter J.C. Daniel, who kicked a last-play game winning field in the season opener to lift Homewood past Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 37-34.
CONNER HARRELL, THOMPSON: The senior quarterback passed for 270 yards and six touchdowns in the Warriors’ 55-0 win over Sparkman on a 15-of-20 passing performance. He managed his 50th career TD pass in the process, and receiver Ryan Peppins, who had three TD receptions, caught his 25th career TD pass as well for Coach Mark Freeman’s two-time Class 7A defending state champions.
Jax Van Zant had eight tackles to lead Thompson’s defense, which registered their second straight shutout – accomplishing that feat for the first time since 1976. The 1976 squad went 9-2 for then head coach Larry Simmons with 21-0 and 40-0 shutout wins over Chilton County and Montevallo, respectively
CAM DOOLEY, VALLEY: Connected with wide receiver Kalen Sherrell for a 21-yard touchdown connection with 6:22 remaining to give the Rams a 14-8 win over the Lanett. It was the fourth straight year that the game was settled by single possession late in the game.
Dooley also fired a 29-yard pass to K.P. Parker for Class 6A Valley’s other TD. The Rams defense also had a safety to tie the game at 8-8. Class 2A Lanett’s D’Quez Madden rushed for 138 yards on 21 carries to lead the Panthers.
RUSHING
JOSEPH ANDERSON, MONTEVALLO: The 5-10, 190-pound senior running back ran for 330 yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries in a 41-24 triumph over county rival Shelby County.
MANK FINDLEY, FLOMATON: Rushed for 295 yards and three scores on 24 carries and also returned a kickoff 66 yards for a fourth score as the Hurricanes beat Northview (FL) 38-14.
KHALIFA KEITH, PARKER: Piled up 270 yards rushing on 17 carries and four touchdowns in the Herd’s 63-42 win over Huffman.
MAKHI HUGHES, HUFFMAN: Ran 14 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns and grabbed two passes for 27 yards in the Vikings’ 63-42 loss to Parker.
THOMAS COLSTON, ARDMORE: Rushed for 212 yards on 27 carries and scored twice in a 33-13 win over Elkmont.
RAYSHAWN WILLIAMS, GORDO: Rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries to lead Gordo past Aliceville 40-31. He also had a TD reception from quarterback Tanner Bailey, who finished 8-of-15 for 196 yards and three TDs.
JERMAINE BREWER, ALICEVILLE: Ran for 203 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns and teammate Ty Williams gained 165 yards on 15 rushes for two more TDs in the Yellow Jackets’ 40-31 loss to Gordo.
HARRISON MIMS, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN: Totaled 170 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Eagles beat Northside Methodist 49-30. Mims also completed 4-of-6 passes for 99 yards and another score and had eight tackles on defense. Teammates Christian Durden and Rylan Banner also went over 100 yards rushing with Durden netting 135 yards and one TD on 19 carries, and Banner gained 107 yards on 11 carries.
JEREMIAH COBB, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Had 24 carries for 189 yards and five touchdowns in a 50-0 win over Charles Henderson.
TAVEN CURRY, ROBERTSDALE: Amassed 180 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 28 carries as Robertsdale (1-1) beat Elberta 31-7.
WILL STOKES, MADISON ACADEMY: Totaled 172 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 16 carries in a 42-7 win over Scottsboro.
CHRIS PEARSON, ORANGE BEACH: Had 14 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the Makos’ 26-0 victory over Fruitdale.
JERMAREY LAWSON, VINCENT: Totaled 158 rushing yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Yellow Jackets past Billingsley 40-6. He also scored a third TD on a 24-yard reception.
KASON JONES, JACKSON-OLIN: Had 150 yards and three touchdowns rushing as the Mustangs downed Calera 38-13.
JEREL CRAYTON, NOTASULGA: Had 19 carries for 144 yards to lead the Blue Devils to a 12-0 win over Winterboro.
ELI JACOBS, BOAZ: Ran for 177 yards on 24 carries and scored one TD in a 42-35 Boaz loss to Madison County.
JALEN FLETCHER, WEST MORGAN: Piled up 171 yards rushing and three touchdowns as West Morgan downed East Lawrence 48-34.
CARTER LAMBERT, BOAZ: Managed 355 all-purpose yards in the Pirates’ 42-35 loss to Madison County. He rushed for 144 yards on 11 carries and scored on runs of 47 and 69 yards. He was 7-of-15 passing for 114 yards and returned five kickoffs for 97 yards.
C.J. HATCHER, BUCKHORN: Rushed for 114 yards on 18 carries, completed 9-of-18 passes for 85 yards and one TD, added an interception on defense and scored the game-winning points with a two-point conversion as the Bucks nipped Bob Jones 18-17.
ISAIAH ROBERSON, WEST END: Rushed 15 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots’ 39-14 win over Pleasant Valley.
C.J. MILLER, GADSDEN CITY: Rushed 16 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns in the Titans’ 34-10 win over Fort Payne.
RYKER MORGAN, WINSTON COUNTY: Ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and completed 4-of-9 passes for 84 yards and a third score in the Yellow Jackets’ 28-22 overtime win over Meek.
MASON CARTEE, PRICEVILLE: Had five rushing touchdowns, four by halftime, in a 70-0 win over Brewer.
TACARIS BOZEMAN, SIDNEY LANIER: Scored three second-half touchdowns on run of 80, 30 and 31 yards to lift the Poets past Paul Bryant 33-13. Sidney Lanier has opened the season at 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
PASSING
K.J. JACKSON, SAINT JAMES: The sophomore quarterback amassed for 271 yards and four touchdowns on a 10-of-15 passing effort as the Trojans downed Reeltown 35-6.
GIO LOPEZ, JAMES CLEMENS: Accounted for 267 yards and five touchdowns in only two quarters of a 47-7 win over Athens. He completed 10-of-13 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns (58, 30, 10 and 62 yards), threw a 2-point conversion pass and scored on a 15-yard TD run.
A.J. WALLACE, MOODY: The Blue Devils’ junior quarterback was 16-of-22 passing for 236 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-14 win over John Carroll Catholic. He also rushed for 120 yards on 13 carries to finish with 356 total yards.
BRAXTON LINDSEY, DOUGLAS: Was 9-of-11 passing for 211 yards with touchdown passes of 55, 31 and 12 yards in a 42-8 win over Woodville as the Eagles opened the season 2-0 for the second straight year.
GAUGE NESMITH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: In his second varsity start, Nesmith was 10-of-19 passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Panthers past Hokes Bluff 31-0.
MAC TURNER, HELENA: Completed 20-of-29 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns to pace Helena’s 27-14 victory over Chelsea.
RYNZO CRUTCHER, GRISSOM: Completed 11-of-13 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns (58, 40 and 80 yards) in a 33-22 win over Lee-Huntsville.
ERIC HANDLEY, FAIRFIELD: Completed 9-of-18 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers’ 32-14 win over Center Point.
J.T. BLACKWOOD, HARTSELLE: Was 5-of-9 passing for 161 yards and three touchdowns (10, 53 and 58 yards), all in the first half, as the Tigers downed Mae Jemison 41-0.
KADEN CUPP, NEW BROCKTON: Accounted for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ 40-8 win over Georgiana. He was 5-of-10 passing for 152 yards and two TDs and rushed for 63 yards and another score.
BENNETT MEREDITH, HOOVER: Completed 12-of-17 passes for 163 yards and four touchdowns in only three quarters of play as the Bucs (2-0) downed Alpharetta (Ga.) 35-7.
BRENDON BYRD, SPANISH FORT: Byrd completed 9-of-11 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores in the Toros’ 42-7 win over St. Paul’s Episcopal.
BRAYDEN JOHNSON, ELBA: Was 5-of-7 passing for 168 yards with a 55-yard touchdown to lead the Tigers past Opp 33-28.
LUKE NELSON, HEADLAND: The Rams’ quarterback was 7-of-12 passing for 123 yards and two touchdowns and added 74 yards rushing on 16 carries as Headland (1-1) beat Abbeville 13-6 to snap a five-game losing streak to their Henry County rivals. Abbeville holds a 48-32-4 edge in the series. The win was the first for new Rams head coach Rodney Dollar, who has compiled a 152-104 record in 24 seasons as a head coach.
TAMETRIUS POGUE, THEODORE: The senior quarterback completed 16-of-32 passes for 118 yards and ran for 97 yards and two TDs on 11 carries as the Bobcats beat Baker 36-31 in the two teams’ Class 7A, Region 1 opener.
LUKE WALDROP, GADSDEN CITY: Was 13-of-25 passing for 160 yards and one touchdown in the Titans’ 34-10 victory over Fort Payne.
CARTER STEVENS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Accounted for 249 total yards and three touchdowns in a 49-30 loss to Providence Christian. He passed for 135 yards and two TDs and rushed for 114 yards and one TD.
PASS RECEIVING
CODY ROBERTS, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Grabbed six pass receptions for 191 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 win over Hokes Bluff.
NIC STRONG, RANDOLPH: Caught six passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns and picked off a pass in a 35-0 win over Glencoe.
J’QUAN STEWART, MILLRY: Snagged five receptions for 154 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 60-6 win over Washington County. Millry totaled 411 yards and limited their opponent to just 21, including minus-11 yards rushing.
JERRON SMITH, HAZEL GREEN: Caught seven passes for 155 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-2 win over Lawrence County.
OMARI KELLY, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Grabbed six passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies beat Saraland 41-0.
DAVION DOZIER, MOODY: Hauled in seven receptions for 134 yards and a TD in Moody’s 34-14 win over John Carroll Catholic.
JA’KOBI, ALBERT, FAIRFIELD: Had four catches for 116 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers downed Center Point 32-14 in the AHSAA TV Network Game of the Week. He had TD receptions of 28 and 77 yards in the first half and 6 and 5 yards in the third quarter. He also made an interception on defense and had seven tackles.
JUSTIN PEGUES, THOMPSON: Had six catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns and fellow Warriors receiver Ryan Peppins had five receptions for 69 yards and three scores in the Warriors’ 55-0 win over Sparkman.
TOBIAS BURRELL, PAUL BRYANT: Caught 10 passes for 126 yards in a 44-13 setback to Sidney Lanier. He also rushed for 22 yards and completed a 24-yard pass for the Stampede.
MARQUARIUS WHITE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Caught six passes for 114 yards and three touchdowns as the Cougars handed Hueytown a 57-40 defeat.
ETHAN BEARD, SAINT JAMES: Had two TD receptions covering 43 and 69 yards – giving him 112 yards receiving on the two catches – to boost the Trojans past Reeltown 35-6.
AUSTIN MORRIS, MORTIMER JORDAN: Had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Blue Devils’ 45-12 win over Corner.
CALEB DOZIER, HEADLAND: Snagged five pass receptions for 104 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown, in Headland’s 13-6 win over Abbeville.
THAD PEARCE, WEST END: Caught four passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 74 yards for another score in the Patriots’ 39-14 win over Pleasant Valley.
GARRETT WEATHERS, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Had three receptions for 100 yards and touchdowns in the Eagles’ 47-6 victory over Highland Home. His TD catches covered 33 and 58 yards.
DEFENSE
JACOB DAVIS, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Had 15 tackles, including six for a loss, in the Panthers’ 31-0 win over Hokes Bluff as the defense held the Eagles to 83 total yards.
T.J. DUDLEY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Had 10 tackles on defense and returned an interception for a touchdowns in the Knights’ 50-0 win over Charles Henderson. Three of his stops resulted in lost yardage for the Trojans.
CHASE JACKSON, MOODY: Totaled nine tackles and two interceptions as Moody defeated John Carroll Catholic 34-14.
NICK McFARLAND, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: The defensive back picked off two passes in a 28-26 win over Geraldine.
DONOVAN EMERSON, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Had eight tackles, including one sack, in a 47-6 win over Highland Home.
SAMUEL HORTON, GADSDEN CITY: Recorded seven tackles, including and sack and 3.5 stops for a loss, as the Titans defeated Fort Payne 34-10.
BRANDON FUSSELL, GUNTERSVILLE: Returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown and also caught a 30-yard TD pass on offense to lead the Wildcats past Arab 29-21.
SPECIAL TEAMS
CHYRSTYLE CALDWELL, ELBA: Returned a kickoff an 83 yards for a touchdown, blocked a field-goal attempt and made six tackles on defense as the Tigers nipped Opp 33-28.
CAMERON LONG, DAPHNE: Returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns to pace the Trojans’ 54-14 Class 7A, Region 1 win over Davidson.
DERRION CROSSLEY, DALE COUNTY: Accounted for 211 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Warriors’ 55-18 win over Daleville. He returned a kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown and caught touchdown passes for 61 and 38 yards. He finished with 105 kick return yards and had 106 combined rushing and receiving yards.
GABRIEL BRITO, GADSDEN CITY: Kicked field goals of 33 and 30 yards and went 4-for-4 in extra points in Gadsden City’s 34-10 victory over Fort Payne.
ABDULLAH ALLABASI, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Kicked a 42-yard field goal and was 4-for-4 in extra points in the Panthers’ 31-0 win over Hokes Bluff.