Gaylesville freshman defensive back Ben Evans intercepted two passes and made four tackles as the Trojans engineered a 24-20 come-from-behind victory over Ohatchee to earn a spot among the honorees in Week 10 of the AHSAA Prep Spotlight. The top honor of the week was awarded to Oxford High School senior running back Racean “Roc” Thomas. Thomas turned in a school-record rushing performance last Friday night with 33 rushing attempts for 417 yards and five touchdowns in a spellbinding 56-49 win over Spain Park.
For his efforts, the 6-foot, 190-pound Thomas grabbed the AHSAA Week 10 Prep Spotlight. An early Auburn commitment who burst on the high school scene as a freshman, he scored on runs of 21, 38, 42, 65 and 85 yards for the Yellow Jackets (8-2) and caught a pass for 11 yards for 429 total yards.
Thomas, who was banged up earlier in the season, has been nothing short of sensational this season, especially the last six games, for Coach Ryan Herring. He has rushed 178 times for 1,832 yards and 29 touchdowns, including 25 in his last six games. His career totals include 514 carries for 5,070 yards rushing and 6,070 total yards with 77 touchdowns.
“I have been around for more than 30 years and have seen our teams play some great ones, including Bo Jackson and Carnell Williams,” said Oxford Director of Athletics Larry Davidson. “He is not where they got to yet, but as a high schooler he is a great kid and right there with them.”
Thomas’ performance edged out strong passing performances from Spain Park quarterback Mason Duke, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa signal caller Riley Nix and Heath Burchfield of James Clemens. Ironically, all came in high-scoring but close losses.
Duke completed 32-of-55 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns covering 21. 15, 12 and 9 yards in the 56-49 Oxford setback.
Nix was 22-of-29 passing for 457 yards and six touchdowns in an equally captivating 60-59 double-overtime setback to Demopolis. He added 66 yards rushing and a TD to roll up 523 yards and account for seven TDs. His touchdown tosses were 38, 16, 13, 88, 26 and 7 yards and his rushing TD came from two yards out.
Burchfield completed 23-of-38 passes for 452 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-34 loss to Fort Payne.
In other top highlights reported:
MILESTONES
Gunner Lemons, Guntersville: Ran 20 times for 168 yards and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown on a 21-yard run in the fourth quarter, as the Wildcats beat Albertville 25-22 in the 99th meeting of the teams. Lemons’ other scoring run covered 28 yards. Guntersville leads the series, which began in 1914, 48-45 with six ending in ties.
Tim Kalascheck, Sardis: The senior kicked a 26-yard field goal as time expired to lift his team to a 17-14 win over Boaz. The Lions’ dramatic victory ended their 15-game losing streak in the rivalry. His winning kick was set up by Will Scott’s 32-yard pass to Brett Rains on a third-and-20 conversion with three seconds left. The completion gave Sardis a first-and-goal at the Boaz 9-yard line. Keenan Lewis rushed 32 times for 221 yards and a pair of 1-yard TD runs for Sardis’ two scores.
Logan Campbell, Cold Springs: Had 183 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the Eagles’ 60-7 win over Carbon Hill to secure the team’s first winning season since 2004. He scored on runs of 26, 60, 47 and 5 yards and also had an interception.
DEFENSE
Brewer Hicklen, Huntsville: Made three interceptions, scored on a 75-yard fake punt and a 1-yard sneak as the Panthers downed Hazel Green 23-14.
Mason Brown, Glencoe: Had 15 tackles, including four for a loss, and a sack in the Yellow Jackets’ 31-24 win over Etowah.
Blake Purifoy, Hanceville: Notched two tackles for losses on fourth-down attempts and capitalized on his fumble recovery with a 5-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive in the Bulldogs’ 40-21 win over West Morgan.
Ethan Boyd, Oneonta: The middle linebacker made13 tackles with a sack and two more stops for losses as the Redskins beat Mortimer Jordan 38-6.
Pate Smith, G.W. Long: Recorded 15 tackles in a 26-6 victory over Barbour County.
Richard McBryde, Charles Henderson: Recorded eight tackles, including four losses of 21 yards, in the Trojans’ 59-42 win over Eufaula that closed a perfect 10-0 regular season.
Alex Cofer, Good Hope: Notched 11 tackles, including a sack and three others for losses, as the Raiders beat West End 28-18.
Ben Evans, Gaylesville: Picked off a pair of passes to go along with four tackles in the Trojans’ 24-20 win at Ohatchee.
Travis Barnes, Davidson: Intercepted a pass in the end zone with 30 seconds remaining to preserve a 24-21 victory over Navarre, Fla. He also forced a fumble on a sack earlier in the game.
Tyrone Roscoe, Carver-Birmingham: Registered 10 tackles, a sack and an interception in the 10-6 win over Wenonah.
LaDarius Brinson, St. Jude: Intercepted two passes and threw two touchdown passes in a 34-14 win at Autaugaville.
PASS RECEIVING
Jordan Gandy, East Limestone: Caught six passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns (66, 69 and 41 yards) in a 56-28 loss to Auburn.
Dylan Hand, Corner: Caught six passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns (14, 37, 46 and 49 yards) in the 49-7 win over Sumiton Christian.
Johnny Woods, Smiths Station: Caught seven passes for 134 yards and two scores in the Panthers’ 45-13 victory over Valley.
Willis Knight, Randolph County: Caught seven passes for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns (10 and 40 yards) and rushed for 122 yards on eight carries and an 89-yard touchdown as the Tigers beat Cherokee County 38-28.
Brock Latta, Oneonta: Had four catches for 100 yards and also had 12 tackles in a 38-6 win over Mortimer Jordan.
PASSING
Alan Smith, Fort Payne: Was 14-of-22 passing for 222 yards and five touchdowns in a 37-34 win over James Clemens.
Matt Hagler, Slocomb: Accounted for 381 yards and five touchdowns in a 34-32 loss to Geneva County. Hagler threw for 203 yards and two scores and rushed for 178 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns.
Blake Bailey, Hewitt-Trussville: Completed 22-of-36 passes for 266 yards, including an 18-yard TD, in the 17-14 win over Gadsden City.
Elijah McFarland, Randolph County: Completed 16-of-29 pass attempts for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ 38-28 win over Cherokee County.
Devin Adams, Vigor: Was 14-of-23 passing for 237 yards and five touchdowns as the Wolves beat Murphy 35-28.
LaDarius Hayes, Akron: Completed 18-of-24 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-20 win over R.C. Hatch.
Matthew Jordan, Jackson: Ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns and also passed for 142 yards and a score as the Aggies (10-0) knocked off rival Thomasville 39-17 and completed a perfect regular season.
Tyler Gurley, Madison County: Completed 9-of-10 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns (24, 30, 9) and ran for 72 yards, including a 30-yard score, on 15 carries in a 35-21 win over Scottsboro.
Walker Lott, Briarwood Christian: Totaled 254 yards offense in the 23-13 win over Pinson Valley. He had 133 yards rushing on 26 carries and 121 yards passing, including a 4-yard score.
Tadarryll Marshall, Leeds: Accounted for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the 44-7 win over Alexandria. Marshall ran for 127 yards on nine carries with a 47-yard TD and was 3-of-5 passing for two scores (4 and 81 yards) and 115 yards.
RUSHING
Frank Moody, St. James: Ran for a school-record 394 yards on 39 carries with four touchdowns in a 48-10 win over Montgomery Catholic.
Denzel Smith, Robertsdale: Rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries as the Golden Bears held off Faith Academy 50-43. Smith scored on runs of 3, 16, 32 and 32 yards as well as two key two-point conversions late in the game.
Drake Mercer, Satsuma: Rushed for 350 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in the Gators’ 55-28 loss at Bayside Academy.
Dantley Coker, Southside-Gadsden: Rushed 38 times for 338 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-28 win over Moody to help the Panthers post their first undefeated regular season since 1980.
A.J. Travis, Northside: Rushed for 304 yards on 24 attempts and scored three touchdowns in a 55-34 win over Oak Grove. His TDs covered 45, 82 and 9 yards. Teammate Alex Maluda added 182 yards on 21 carries with scoring runs of 35, 86 and 15 yards and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Jermarcus Brown, Pickens County: Accounted for 317 total yards and ran for three touchdowns (48, 5 and 9 yards) in a 33-22 win over Gordo.
Chris Manning, Section: Ran for 258 yards and six touchdowns as the Class 2A Lions posted a 52-6 win over previously unbeaten Valley Head. Manning also caught five passes for 123 yards.
Terrance “Tank” Hollingsworth, Berry: Rushed for 252 yards and scored on runs of 3 and 42 yards in a 32-20 loss to Oakman
Daniel Coleman, Hale County: Rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-15 win over Sipsey Valley.
Jahari Brown, New Brockton: Rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries and also returned a kickoff 85 yards for another touchdown in the Gamecocks’ 38-27 win over Kinston.
Jay Buffer, Brookwood: Rushed for 234 yards on 34 carries and scored one touchdown in a 52-0 win over Holt.
Jalen Tuggle, Mary Montgomery: Piled up for 215 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 28-19 victory over B.C. Rain. He scored on runs of 7, 7 and 37 yards.
Kamryn Pettway, Prattville: Ran 19 times for 206 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-21 victory over Northview.
Zacc Weldon, G.W. Long: The Rebels’ running back rushed for 204 yards and four touchdowns on just 14 carries in a 26-6 win over Barbour County. He scored on runs of 83, 34, 27 and 1 yards.
Roderick Davis, Demopolis: Rushed for 198 yards on 31 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 60-59 double-overtime victory over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. His TDs covered 76, 5, 2, 3 and 2 yards.
Keith Mixon, Shades Valley: Totaled five touchdowns and 212 yards in the first half as the Mounties downed Pelham 55-20. Mixon ran for 147 yards on 12 carries with three scores (19, 27 and 8 yards) and caught two passes for 65 yards, both going for touchdowns (55 and 10 yards).
Terelle West, Clay-Chalkville: Ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns (59, 2 and 85 yards) on 14 carries in the 50-22 win over Oak Mountain.
Ladarrius Fields, Rehobeth: With his team up two points with seven minutes to go, he intercepted a pass at the goal line then added a 3-yard touchdown run to seal a 23-14 win over Cottonwood. He finished with 189 yards rushing.
Khari Blasingame, Buckhorn: Rushed 20 times for 175 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 76-yard run, as the Bucks beat Gardendale 31-21.
Marcus Davis, Geraldine: Scored six touchdowns (4, 4, 1, 2, 8 and 26 yards) on 17 carries and finished with 122 yards as the Bulldogs beat Crossville 63-27. Geraldine finished with 505 yards rushing.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cade Stinnett, Enterprise: Connected on two field goals, including a 51-yarder and 38-yarder, hit 5-of-5 extra points and had one punt for 36 yards in a 41-6 win over Jeff Davis.
Thomas Stubblefield, St. Luke’s: Kicked a game-winning 18-yard field goal with nine seconds left as the Wildcats clipped Cottage Hill 17-14.
Jamarquise Singleton, Greensboro: Scored on a 65-yard punt return, a 52-yard reception and a 72-yard run in a 33-30 win over West Blocton.
Jared McClure, Good Hope: Returned a kickoff 70 yards for one TD, threw a 42-yard TD pass and rushed for 96 yards on six carries in the Raiders’ 28-18 win over West End.
Bryant Farley, West Point: A 72-yard punt return for a touchdown kicked off his four-TD night in a 41-14 win over Fairview. He also rushed for TDs covering 1, 8 and 46 yards.