Staff Reports
RAINBOW CITY – All of a sudden, the Sand Rock Wildcats have turned into road warriors.
After not winning a football game away from Russell Jacoway Stadium last year, the Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start away from home in 2021 following a convincing 32-13 victory at Class 2A, No. 8 Westbrook Christian on Friday.
“How many people felt like we would beat Westbrook Christian tonight? Outside of our football team, not very many,” second-year coach Alan Heath said. “It’s huge that we were able to do that.
“A region like ours, it’s like the SEC West of 2A football. To get this win was huge because it sets us up to where we want to make the playoffs. Winning this first region game puts us in a good position to hopefully make that goal a reality. That’s what we’ve needed is some confidence. Really, that was one of the things we lacked last year, so being able to build some confidence tonight is huge. I’m super proud and happy for them.”
Once again, the running back tandem of Jacob Cornejo and Trace Haygood came up with big nights. Cornejo led the Wildcats (2-0, 1-0) with 190 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Haygood added 93 yards on 18 totes with a score.
For the game, Sand Rock churned out 308 rushing yards.
“We were able to run the football, and good things happen when you’re able to run the football,” Heath said. “I’m an offensive-minded guy and love throwing the football. It’s pretty and all, but good things happen when you can establish the run game. Then you can throw and run.”
Speaking of throwing, junior quarterback Ace Ashley had another solid night passing. He completed 5-of-8 pass attempts for 101 yards.
Haygood put the Wildcats in front 7-0 with his 1-yard touchdown run with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter. Cornejo added a 44-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, putting Sand Rock on top 13-0.
The Warriors (1-1, 0-1) closed out the first quarter with Mason Coley’s 3-yard touchdown toss to Hugh Windle, trimming the Wildcat lead to 13-7.
It remained 13-7 until 1:24 left in the first half when Haygood scored on a 27-yard run. Bryan East’s extra point made it 20-7 Wildcats at halftime.
Sand Rock’s defense got in on the scoring late in the third quarter when Tru Graham intercepted a Coley pass and returned it for a touchdown, pushing the Wildcat lead to 26-7.
Graham had two interceptions in the game.
Westbrook countered with Coley’s 2-yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter. The 2-point try failed, keeping the score at 26-13.
Coley led the Warriors by completing 15-of-29 pass attempts for 176 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards and a score on 10 carries. Karmichael Cattling led the Warrior ground game with 68 yards on 17 totes.
Graham put the exclamation point on the Wildcat win with his 30-yard touchdown run with 9:05 left in the game.
Logan Crider led the Wildcat defense with 7 ½ tackles. Haygood had seven stops. Cornejo made five tackles.
Sand Rock plays its third consecutive game on the road this Friday at Gaston.