MONTGOMERY – A large number of area football teams’ performances were recognized late Tuesday afternoon by the Alabama High School Athletic Association in its weekly Spotlight.

Leading off the weekly honors was Cedar Bluff defensive coordinator Torey McDaniel.

McDaniel stepped in for head coach Jonathan McWhorter, who was in quarantine battling COVID-19, and led the Tigers to a 48-28 win over Appalachian that clinched a home playoff berth for the Tigers.

Quarterback Jacob Burleson completed 6-of-8 pass attempts for 134 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown strike to Bucky Leek, and also ran 36 yards and three scores on 10 carries in the win.

Teammates Nick Clifton added 124 rushing yards and a TD on 14 carries and Preston Burt added 115 yards on seven rush attempts with two scores. Leek finished with four catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Cherokee County High School’s defense was also recognized for its efforts. The Warrior ‘D’ intercepted five Cleburne County pass attempts in a 21-0 win.

Whit Johnson picked off a pair of passes. Conner Elrod, Jack Amos and Walker Pruitt snagging the other three.

Running back Damien Ramsey was also recognized for his 146 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown.

Piedmont quarterback Jack Hayes was also honored by the AHSAA this week. The sophomore quarterback completed 20-of-24 pass attempts for 298 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 40-7 victory over Hokes Bluff.

Hayes’s five touchdown passes tied a school record shared by his brother Taylor Hayes (2016 vs. Ohatchee) and Steve Sewell (1970 vs. Lincoln). Hayes completed his last 10 passes in a row. He threw two touchdown passes to Jadon Calhoun and one each to Sean Smith, Coleman Reid and Austin Estes.

Calhoun had six receptions for 104 yards, Estes caught seven passes for 80 yards and Reid had four receptions for 80 yards.

Three players from Spring Garden were also recognized this week in Ryley Kirk, Cooper Austin and Luke Welsh.

Kirk connected on 9-of-13 pass attempts for 185 yards and three touchdowns – all to Austin – in the Panthers’ 55-19 win over Sand Rock. Austin caught seven passes for 154 yards. Welsh ran for 120 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns.

The victory secured the Region 6 title for Spring Garden, which won its first region crown in Class 2A.

Sand Rock also had a pair of players honored in Ace Ashley and Logan Crider.

Ashley completed 15-of-32 pass attempts for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Crider caught eight passes for 124 yards and a pair of scores. He also had 10 tackles on defense.

Gaylesville all-purpose back DJ Lee rounds out the area football players spotlighted. He ran the ball 19 times for 123 yards and a touchdown, passed for two more scores and posted nine tackles on defense in a 38-20 loss to Woodville.

In other statewide happenings, J.U, Blacksher High School’s big secret isn’t so secret anymore. Senior quarterback Kaderian Rabb turned in the game of his career last week as the Bulldogs captured a stunning 36-30 victory over Orange Beach High School – scoring the game-winning touchdown with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound standout finished the game with 354 yards rushing on 36 carries with all five of J.U. Blacksher’s touchdowns to catapult into the AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 8 of the 2020 prep football season.

Rabb rushed for more than 2,000 yards and passed for another 1,000 yards last season for Coach Wes Sims. This year, he has had to wear many hats playing defensive end and linebacker on defense, quarterback on offense and also has handled all punting and place-kicking duties.

“He is the real deal and one heck of a competitor,” said Mike Qualls, veteran sports editor of the Monroe Journal. “He runs like a deer and is receiving letters from college everywhere for football and basketball.”

His winning TD came on a 1-yard run. His other touchdown runs covered 82, 66, 33 and 3 yards. He finished with 396 total yards.

His performance edged out a scoring frenzy by Walter Wellborn High School that produced 50 points in the first quarter, 69 by halftime and a 69-0 win over Weaver. The Panthers (8-0), who came in averaging 38 points per game, opened the scoring with Calvin Spinks returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.

Before the quarter ended, six more touchdowns followed with rushing scores by TiQuan Thomas (68 yards), Logan Brooks (17 yards), Spinks (51 yards), Jett Smith (49 yards), Jesse Lewis (55 yards) and 15-yard TD pass from Smith to Tae Traylor sandwiched in the middle.

For Thomas, Spinks, Smith and Lewis, the touchdown runs were their only carries of the game. Spinks also returned a punt 85 for a touchdown in the second quarter.

The 50 points in a single quarter tied for third most all-time, according to the AHSAA Record Book. Homewood holds the all-time record with 55 points in the first quarter versus Ramsay in 2012. Ironically, four years later, the Rams won the Class 5A state championship.

Thomasville also scored 54 in the first quarter versus Gulf Shores in 2014 and Demopolis had 50 in the second quarter in a 2004 win over Eutaw.

Walter Wellborn Coach Jeff Smith told East Alabama Sports Today said the scoring was “Unbelievable. We weren’t trying to set any scoring record or goal or anything like that. Weaver’s just got a bunch of young kids and we’ve got a bunch of older kids. It just wasn’t a good mix.”

Walter Wellborn hosts defending 3A state champion Piedmont Friday night in the final Class 3A, Region 5 bout for both schools. A Panther win will give Wellborn the Region 5 title, and a loss could create a three-way tie for first place with the Bulldogs and Ohatchee.

MILESTONES
SLOCOMB DEFENSE MAKES 5 INTERCEPTIONS: The Red Tops beat Opp 38-27 thanks in big part to a defense that had a season-leading five interceptions. The AHSAA state team record is eight – set 31 years ago in 1999 by Talladega County Central in a 25-14 win over White Plains.

Slocomb’s defense amassed 151 yards in returns off the picks, including a 45-yard touchdown return by Jaylen Nobles with 1:03 left that sealed up the Red Tops Class 3A, Region 2 win.

Slocomb (7-1) improved to 5-0 in region play with one game left versus Wicksburg this week.

All five interceptions led directly or indirectly to Slocomb touchdowns. Nobles and Rashawn Miller both had two interceptions and Brody Campbell had the other.

Overall, Nobles earned 277 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the win – rushing for 117 yards and two scores, catching three passes for 59 yards and one TD.

Opp quarterback Hal Smithart was 27-of-51 passing for 323 yards and three touchdowns.

AMOS RETURNS 2 KICKOFFS FOR TOUCHDOWNS: Returned the kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to start the second half to tie the game at 14-14 and also returned a kickoff 97 yards for another score in the Eagles’ 49-28 loss to Wetumpka.

He became just the 18th player in AHSAA history to complete that rare feat and is the first since Geneva County’s Emmanuel Henderson had two kickoff returns in a 54-49 loss to Ariton last season.

Other top performances reported include:

RUSHING
JOSEPH ANDERSON, MONTEVALLO: The workhorse runner had 44 carries for 273 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-33 win over Holt.

COLLIN MOON, ONEONTA: Picked up 250 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries in the Redskins’ 49-21 win over Fultondale.

ZAKEVIN PENNINGTON, PIKE COUNTY: Rushed for 256 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in the Bulldogs’ 43-7 win over Childersburg.

LOGAN PATE, GUNTERSVILLE: Piled up 216 rushing yards on 19 carries and scored six touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Boaz 56-14.

BRAXTON BROOKS, SAMSON: Ran 30 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns and also made two interceptions on defense in the Tigers’ 35-20 Class 1A, Region 1 win over Georgiana.

SEAN JACKSON, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries in the Huskies’ 48-12 victory over Gadsden City.

CARNEL DAVIS, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns on 26 attempts as the Panthers clinched a state playoff berth with a 38-14 victory over Scottsboro.

KENUWYN DIXON, BRANTLEY: Had 154 yards rushing on seven carries and scored two touchdowns in a 54-0 win over Red Level. He also completed 4-of-6 passes attempted for 57 yards and another score.

JAYLEN MURRY, WICKBURG: Scored on three fourth-quarter touchdowns, helping the Panthers rally from a 19-point deficit in a 37-32 comeback win over Houston Academy. He finished with 120 yards on 21 carries with TD runs of 7, 14 and 14 yards in the final period to overcome a 32-13 deficit.

VEONTAI WILLIAMS, DAPHNE: Ran for 156 yards on 13 carries, including an 87-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to break open the Trojans’ 34-0 win over Murphy in Class 7A, Region 1.

JAVONTE GRAVES-BILLIPS, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Picked up 148 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored twice in the Saints’ 35-0 Class 5A, Region 1 win over Elberta. He also had three receptions for 48 yards.

DEONTAE LAWSON, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Rushed for 146 yards and 3 TDs on 15 carries and had three receptions for 38 yards in a 36-22 win over Jackson. He also had 15 tackles and a sack on defense.

BRAYLO McREYNOLDS, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Powered for 138 yards on 27 carries and scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal in the final seconds as the Jackets nipped Blount 21-20 in Class 6A, Region 1.

CARSON RICKELS, HAYDEN: Had 19 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-20 win over Hayden.

DE’ANDRE COLEMAN, HUEYTOWN: Got the tough yards in the red zone running 11 times for 46 yards and five touchdowns, adding five catches for 42 yards, three 2-point conversions, a 15-yard pass completion and a pass deflection on defense that sealed the Gophers’ 47-41 Class 6A, Region 4 win over McAdory.

PASSING
CAM SHEPHERD, McADORY: Completed 33-of-48 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns and added 42 yards rushing on eight carries in a 47-41 setback to Hueytown.

AVERY SEATON, MADISON ACADEMY: Completed 15-of-26 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for 105 yards and two TDs for 446 total yards in a 49-21 win over New Hope.

HAL SMITHART, OPP: Was 27-of-51 for 323 yards, three touchdowns in the Bobcats’ 38-27 Class 3A, Region 2 loss to Slocomb.

QUINCY CRITTENDON, AUSTIN: Passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score in the Black Bears’ 52-21 win over Albertville.

HESS HORNE, EUFAULA: In just one half of play, the Tigers’ quarterback threw for four touchdowns and caught another in a 42-0 win over Russell County. Horne completed 14-of-18 overall for 268 yards and added a 5-yard TD reception.

CONNER HARRELL, THOMPSON: Completed 11-of-14 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score as the unbeaten Warriors (8-0) beat Oak Mountain 49-21 to set up a Class 7A, Region 3 showdown with Hoover Oct. 23.

KADYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Passed for 221 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Raiders to a stunning 19-point third-quarter lead before Wicksburg rallied for a 37-32 win over HA.

BRAYDEN KYLE, DECATUR HERITAGE: Threw five touchdown passes in a 46-16 win over Cherokee.

ROBERT ROSE, WETUMPKA: Passed for 195 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Indians past Calera 49-28.

JORDAN SCOTT, ATHENS: The Golden Eagles quarterback led Athens with to a 28-0 win over Cullman completing 15-of-18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries.

RYDERIUS BROWN, BALDWIN COUNTY: Was 10-of-20 passing for 141 yards with touchdowns of 35 and 19 yards to Ty Mims in a win over Gulf Shores. He also rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries, including a 22-yard TD run.

KAMREN IVORY, RAMSAY: Was 10-of-11 passing for 158 yards and four touchdowns in the Rams’ 34-12 win over Fairfield.

JALEN CLARK, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Was 14-of-16 passing for 183 yards and three touchdowns and had eight carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 49-7 win over Straughn.

PASS RECEIVING
KANE WILLIAMS, FRUITDALE: Hauled in five passes for 179 yards and 2 TDs in Fruitdale’s win over St. Luke’s. He also had one run for 35 yards and 18 tackles on defense.

ZACCHAEUS LINDSEY, OPP: Snagged eight receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the Bobcats’ 38-27 loss to Slocomb.

JAKOBI JACKSON, LEROY: Snagged three receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’28-14 Class 2A, Region 1 win over Clarke County.

SEAN ZERKLE, DECATUR HERITAGE: Caught three touchdown passes and forced a fumble on defense as Decatur Heritage claimed the Class 1A, Region 8 title with a 46-16 win over Cherokee.

DEFENSE
WALTON CHERRY, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Totaled 15 tackles in the Wildcats’ 13-10 loss to Montgomery Catholic. He also scored his team’s only TD on offense.

CARTER STEVENS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Accounted for 10 tackles, blocked a punt, caused and recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown in a 48-14 win over Daleville. He also punted for a 41.0 average in the victory.

L.J. GREEN, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown as the Knights nipped Trinity Presbyterian 13-10.

JYWON BOYD, CHARLES HENDERSON: Had a 35-yard fumble return for a touchdown and made two interceptions on defense as the Trojans beat Carroll 24-19. He also had a 25-yard touchdown catch on offense.

JAMAL MALONEY, REHOBETH: Registered 13 tackles to lead the Rebels to a 33-14 win over Headland.

JACOB McRAE, DECATUR: Had 10 tackles, including three sacks, in Decatur’s 45-0 win over Columbia.

CHIP MORGAN, ANDALUSIA: Totaled 10 tackles with three sacks and five tackles for a loss in Andalusia’s win over Greenville. He also had a touchdown reception.

JUDSON LINDSEY, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Totaled 10 tackles, forced a fumble and made an interception to lead the Eagles to a 20-17 a win over Thomasville.

SPECIAL TEAMS
KELDRICK BROWN, BRANTLEY: Returned a blocked field goal try 85 yards for a touchdown and also had nine tackles on defense in the Bulldogs’ 54-0 win over Red Level. Teammate Bo Cook blocked the field goal.

JUWON GASTON, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and the Wolverines went on beat Sidney Lanier 17-0.

RAMONE BRADLEY, FAIRHOPE: Returned the opening kickoff of the second half 72 yards for a score, caught six passes for 81 yards and a 52-yard touchdown and ran for 46 yards on five carries as the Pirates topped Baker 24-13. He also had a 105-yard interception return called back due to a penalty.

LAYTON CRAWFORD, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Kicked a 24-yard field goal at 10:36 of the fourth quarter for the game’s only points in Westbrook Christian’s 3-0 victory over Cleveland. The win clinched Westbrook’s first home playoff game in 10 years.

ALEX KOHN, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Kicked two field goals, including the game-winner with 3:09 left, as the Eagles clinched the Class 3A, Region 3 title with a 20-17 win over Thomasville.