The AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – Players from four area football teams received recognition Monday afternoon by the Alabama High School Athletic Association for their Week 1 performances.

On Thursday, Spring Garden (1-0) captured a rare victory over rival Cedar Bluff (0-1) with a 55-0 decision. It was only the fourth win by the Panthers in school history against the Tigers in a series that began in 1969 and has been played annually except for a seven-year span from 1989-1995.

Senior quarterback Ryley Kirk was 8-of-9 passing for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 73 yards on seven carries and scored two TDs. Senior fullback Luke Welsh added 107 rushing yards on nine carries with a 35-yard touchdown run, and senior Weston Kirk added an 8-yard TD run and interception on defense.

Spring Garden’s other wins in the series came in 1987, 2007 and 2014. Cedar Bluff holds a 42-4 edge in the series. The 46 games played ties with Gaylesville for the longest running opponent in Spring Garden’s football history.

Also on Thursday night, the Collinsville Panthers (2-0) posted a 24-6 victory over Crossville behind a solid defensive effort.

Blake Sparks posted a whopping 23 tackles and registered two sacks in the Panther win. Dalton Hughes recovered two fumbles, and Jacob Jones returned an interception for a 30-yard touchdown.

On Friday, Sand Rock earned its first victory – a 25-3 win – under new head coach Alan Heath behind a 7-of-12, 233-yard, two-touchdown performance from sophomore quarterback Ace Ashley. Ashley also ran in for a 1-yard score.

Colton Cash had two receptions for 90 yards and made an interception on defense, while Ethan Clanton accumulated 8 ½ tackles for the Wildcats (1-0).

Also on Friday night, Piedmont sophomore quarterback Jack Hayes completed 10-of-13 pass attempts for 191 yards and two touchdowns to lead the defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs (1-0) to a 39-7 win over Cherokee County (1-1). He also had a touchdown and 37 yards on 10 carries.

In other statewide happenings over the weekend, Mobile Christian senior linebacker Deontae Lawson used his offensive abilities and a little trickery to help the Leopards accomplish what 34 previous UMS-Wright opponents could not do.

Lawson rushed seven times for 75 yards, including a 51-yard scoot on a fake punt from the Leopards 4, scored Mobile Christian’s touchdown and game-winning two-point conversion in overtime to beat UMS-Wright 25-24.

On defense, he was his usual dominating self with 24 tackles as the Leopards ended the AHSAA’s longest current winning streak at 34 games.

Lawson, a University of Alabama commitment, also grabbed the AHSAA Week 1 Football Spotlight for his all-around effort.

Mobile Christian, coached by Ronnie Cottrell, had lost its three previous meetings with the Bulldogs 34-0 in 1984, 37-7 in 2018 and 21-0 in 2019. The Class 4A Leopards reached the Class 3A finals last season while Class 5A UMS-Wright finished 14-0 for the second year in a row and won its third Class 4A title in a row for Coach Terry Curtis. Both teams moved up one classification this season.

The 34-game winning streak, which ties Millport (1982-1985) for fifth longest in the AHSAA history, started in the state playoffs 2017. St. Paul’s Episcopal beat the Bulldogs on Nov. 3, 2017, in the final game of the regular season 9-0. UMS-Wright outscored its 34 opponents during the streak 1,039 to 233.

Mobile Christian’s 25 points was the most since Andalusia lost in the 2017 Class 4A semifinals to the Bulldogs 34-28. UMS-Wright had 11 shutouts during the span.

Clay County holds the AHSAA state record for most wins in a row, winning 55 from 1994-1997. Verbena (1950-1954) won 50 in a row, Tuscaloosa (1926-1931) won 49 consecutive games, and Banks (1972-1974) ranks fourth with 35 wins in a row.

Fyffe High School emerges now with the longest current streak (31) and the longest current regular season win streak (39) in the state. Class 2A Lanett lost to Class 6A Valley 20-14 in overtime last weekend to end the Panthers string of wins at 15.

Central of Clay County now owns the second longest current win streak (11) with Piedmont (7) and Thompson (6) right behind.

UMS-Wright handed Curtis, now in his 32nd year as a head coach, his 300th win in the second round of the 2018 state playoffs with a victory over Trinity Presbyterian. His record now stands 318-86. Cottrell, in his fifth year at Mobile Christian, is 41-13 with the Leopards and 142-83 over his 20-year prep head-coaching career.

Mobile Christian’s streak-ending win and Lawson’s outstanding performance edged out three other outstanding efforts by Ben Oden of Locust Fork, Hess Horne of Eufaula and Jacquez Prince of Elba.

Oden had 463 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns to lead the Hornets to a 49-22 win over Appalachian in a battle of Blount County rivals. He had 22 carries for 324 yards with TDs covering 90, 47, 1 and 19 yards and also had an interception on defense.

Eufaula’s Horne connected with receiver Rodarius Thomas on a 70-yard touchdown pass with 1:50 left to give the Tigers a 38-36 win over Class 7A powerhouse Central-Phenix City. Central had just taken its first lead of the night with 2:40 left to set up Eufaula’s winning TD march that took just 50 seconds. Horne finished 19-of-32 passing for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas totaled six receptions for 150 yards and two scores. Teammate Robert Courtney also had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the game to help seal the win.

Elba quarterback Prince accounted for two touchdowns in a 59-second span late in the fourth quarter to lift Class 2A Elba past Opp 26-21. With Elba trailing 14-8, Prince threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to John Martin Wilson with 2:41 left. Less a minute later, he intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards for a TD to put Elba up 26-14.

Prince completed 5-of-6 passes on the night for 109 yards with one TD and had two interceptions, nine tackles and a quarterback sack on defense. He also broke up two passes in the secondary. Opp scored in the final seconds to make the final 26-21.

MILESTONES
Providence Christian Amasses 655 Rushing Yards: The Providence Christian Eagles rushed for a school record 655 yards and 10 touchdowns in Friday’s 71-35 win over Northside Methodist Academy. That total ranks fourth all time in the AHSAA Record Book. The 71 points scored also was a new PCA record.

Gus Goldsborough rushed for 11 times for 256 yards with five touchdowns on runs 22, 8, 60, 2 and 56 yards. He also added two 2-point conversions.

Grant Weatherford added 180 yards on eight rush attempts with scoring runs of 49 and 27 yards. He added one 2-point conversion run.

Christian Durden was the third member of the Eagles backfield to go over 100 Yards. He had 14 carries for 127 yards with scores of 1 and 5 yards.

Quarterback Jake Smith had the other rushing TD on a 10-yard run.

The game totaled 106 points.

HARPER LEADS WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN TO FIRST WIN: Quarterback Jordan Harper completed 10-of-17 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 44 yards and a TD in a 28-0 win over Asbury. The victory was the first varsity win in the school’s history. Whitesburg began varsity competition this season.

PASSING
HAL SMITHART, OPP: Completed 32-of-58 passes for 302 yards with two touchdowns in a 26-21 loss to Elba.

IAN SENN, ARITON: Was 21-of-39 passing for 297 yards and two TD passes in the Purple Cats’ 29-20 loss to Flomaton.

ELI PEARCE, WEST END: The Patriots senior had 243 total yards and six touchdowns in the Patriots’ 38-22 victory over Pleasant Valley. He completed 9-of-18 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 112 yards and four TDs on 12 carries. Teammate Isaiah Robertson added 121 yards rushing on 12 attempts.

ZYQUEZ PERRYMAN, PLEASANT GROVE: Completed 18-of-24 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 24 yards on five carries in the Spartans’ 29-28 loss to defending Class 6A state champion Oxford. Pleasant Grove was Class 5A state runner-up in 2019.

ZACH PYRON, PINSON VALLEY: Was 16-of-27 passing for 238 yards and two scores to lead the Indians past Shades Valley 31-21.

DALTON MORRIS, NORTH JACKSON: Was 8-of-20 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns covering 65, 30 and 69 yards in a 52-6 Chiefs win over Whitwell (TN). He also rushed for 49 yards and two other scores (2 and 11 yards).

ALEX GLASS, MINOR: Was 12-of-20 passing for 219 yards and four TDs in the Tigers’ 34-28 victory over Paul Bryant.

TRENT BATTLE, DAPHNE: Combined for 200 total yards and five touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Davidson. The TCU commit shook off an early injury to complete 5-of-7 passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards on five carries and another score.

EVAN SMITH, OAK MOUNTAIN: Combined for 264 yards total offense as the Eagles beat Pelham 28-21. He completed 8-of-13 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns and added 109 yards rushing on 12 carries.

ELI MUSSO, HALEYVILLE: The junior quarterback was 9-of-12 passing for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions’ 35-7 win over St. John Paul II Catholic School.

JOSH LUNDY, HOOVER: Passed for 178 yards and four touchdowns on four straight possession in the first half as the Bucs beat Bessemer City 62-0.

MICHAEL RICH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: The senior was 14-for-25 in passing for 156 yards and rushed for 52 yards and the winning touchdown as the Panthers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to post a 21-14 win over Etowah County rival Hokes Bluff. It was Southside’s first victory over the Eagles in four years. Receiver Aulden Battles caught seven of Rich’s passes for 80 yards.

JOSH CAMPBELL, GASTON: The senior QB was 14-for-39 in passing for 176 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 138 yards and a score on 16 carries in the Bulldogs’ 55-26 loss to Coosa Christian.

BRODY BARNETT, THORSBY: The Rebels’ quarterback passed for 110 yards and two TDs and rushed for 87 TDs and another TD in a 38-15 win over Verbena.

THOMAS SKAGGS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The sophomore quarterback finished with 275 total yards and five touchdowns in the Conquerors’ 55-26 win over Gaston. He rushed 11 times for 127 yards and two scores and completed 6-of-16 passes for 138 yards and three TDs.

GIO LOPEZ, JAMES CLEMENS: In his first start for the Jets, Lopez threw for 90 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 87 yards and a TD to account for all three scores in a 22-0 win over Athens.

RUSHING
REGGIE DAVIS, LEE-MONTGOMERY: Had 32 carries for 354 yards and all three touchdowns for the Generals in a 19-14 win over Jeff Davis. He had a long TD run of 54 yards.

THERIS WHEELER, MURPHY: The senior running back ran for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in the Panthers’ 35-12 win over Foley. He also added one catch for 13 yards, finishing with 306 total yards.

RAYSHAWN MILLER, SLOCOMB: The Red Tops running back rushed for 249 yards with three touchdowns (24, 4 and 90 yards) and added eight tackles on defense in a 48-41 loss to Geneva.

LOGAN WILSON, ROBERTSDALE: Piled up 239 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 16 carries as the Golden Bears beat Elberta 33-7 to move to 2-0 to open the season for the first time since 2000.

BRAXTON BROOKS, SAMSON: Rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns off 23 carries, including a 7-yard TD run in overtime, to help the Tigers edge Cottonwood 28-27. Brooks also completed 2-of-4 passes for 40 yards returned three kickoffs for 83 total yards.

JERRY BURTON, PRICEVILLE: Rushed for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 21 carries in Priceville’s 38-21 win over Brewer.

COLLIER BLAIR, CHELSEA: The 5-foot-6, 175-pound running back was a workhouse with 38 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets’ 27-23 comeback win over Shelby County rival Helena, He had nine rushes for 55 yards and a 6-yard reception on the game-winning drive.

JAVONTE GRAVES-BILLIPS, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: The Army commitment scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter in relief of starting running back Jaylen Sulton as St. Paul’s rallied to beat Spanish Fort 17-14 in a game televised nationally on ESPN. His scoring runs were 8 and 3 yards. Graves-Billips also broke up two passes, including a potential third-down TD pass that could have put the Toros up 14-3 in the third quarter, and had two tackles and two assists.

AUSTIN OWENS, WINSTON COUNTY: Had 198 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets’ 64-14 win over Meek. He also had an interception he returned for a touchdowns.

ISAIAH SPEARS, WENONAH: Gained 170 yards on 14 rush attempts and scored twice in a 28-0 win over Midfield.

JEREMIAH COBB, MONTGOMERY-CATHOLIC: Led the Knights’ offense with 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 21 carries as Catholic beat Charles Henderson 27-13.

T.J. RICHARDSON, THEODORE: The senior running back, filling in for injured starter Kierstan Rogers, rushed for 147 yards and two scores as the Bobcats downed Baker 35-20.

ISAIAH PURDUE, MADISON COUNTY: Ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns (1 and 10 yards) on 22 carries in a 28-21 overtime win over Boaz. He also caught a 40-yard pass to set up his 1-yard TD run, which forced OT. The overtime win was the second this season for the Tigers (2-0).

GREG WATKINS, CHICKASAW: Rushed for 137 yards and a pair of scores as the Chieftains defeated St. Luke’s Episcopal 32-13 in their opener.

AVERY SEATON, MADISON ACADEMY: Picked up 139 yards and two touchdowns on 13 rush attempts and completed 8-of-10 passes for 144 yards and a TD in a 30-6 win over Scottsboro.

DEVONTAE CAUSEY, MILLRY: Rushed for 131 yards and two TDs on 16 carries for the Wildcats in a 29-0 victory over Washington County. He also had 12 tackles, including two sacks and two other tackles for losses on defense.

ISAIAH COLE, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The senior running back scored four touchdowns, two among his 124 yards on 12 carries and two among his three pass receptions totaling 65 yards in a 55-26 win over Gaston.

PASS RECEIVING
RAMONE BRADLEY, FAIRHOPE: The senior caught seven passes for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also returned a punt 95 yards for a score as the Pirates beat Andalusia 28-21.

J.B. MITCHELL, THOMPSON: Caught seven passes for 138 yards and a touchdown to lead the defending Class 7A state champion Warriors to a 39-7 win at Sparkman on Saturday afternoon.

PAYTON ELLIS, OPP: Ellis caught 11 passes for 128 yards in a 26-21 loss to Elba.

ETHAN STONE, GASTON: The senior tight end had nine receptions for 121 yards in a 55-26 loss to Coosa Christian.

HAYES FLOYD, ARITON: Caught five passes for 111 yards, including a 22-yard TD pass, and also scored on a 2-yard run in a 29-20 loss to Flomaton. He also had nine tackles on defense.

DEFENSE
ISIAH HUBBARD, EAST LAWRENCE: The defensive back returned a fumble 92 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles the lead late in the fourth quarter in a 21-18 win over West Morgan.

BRANDON FUSSELL, GUNTERSVILLE: Picked off three passes on defense, one he returned for a touchdown, in a 35-9 win over Arab.

AYDEN ADAMS, ALMA BRYANT: Returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown and had seven tackles in the Hurricanes’ 26-6 win over Mary Montgomery. He also had three pass reception for 78 yards and a TD as Alma Bryant opened 2-0 for the first time since 1999.

TREVOR McLAUGHIN, ARITON: Registered 18 tackles and teammate Zach Phillips had 12 in Ariton’s 29-20 loss to Flomaton.

FORD REGISTER, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN: Had 20 tackles and teammate Harrison Mims had 15 in the Eagles’ 71-35 win over Northside Methodist Academy.

KEYON EZELLE, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Had 14 tackles, including three sacks, in the Rams’ 42-12 win over Woodlawn.

RICO DOZIER, ABBEVILLE: Had 14 tackles in the Yellow Jackets’ 34-13 win over Headland.

ROBERT COURTNEY, UMS-WRIGHT: Intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter and returned it 30 yards for a TD to tie the game and send it into overtime in the 25-24 loss to Mobile Christian.

JUDSON LINDSEY, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Had 11 tackles in the Eagles’ 13-3 win over Trinity Presbyterian.

ADRIAN GRIFFIN, FAIRFIELD: Had eight total tackles, five stops resulting in losses, and added two quarterback hurries as the Tigers nipped Center Point 21-20.

SPECIAL TEAMS
TYLER PATTEN, HAZEL GREEN: Kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired to give the Trojans a 37-34 win over Lawrence County.

JUSTIN LITTLEFIELD, ISABELLA: Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to force overtime and the Mustangs went on to nip Maplesville 21-20 in OT.

JEVON JACKSON, AUSTIN: Returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns – all in the first half – as the Black Bears downed arch-rival Decatur 67-3.