Compiled by the AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – A lot of local talent is scattered throughout this week’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Football Spotlight for their Week 2 performances.

The Cherokee County Warriors got a standout performance from senior quarterback/defensive back Slade Alexander in a 56-41 win over Springville.

Alexander accumulated 189 yards rushing on 14 carries with four touchdowns covering 35, 18, 2 and 47 yards and also completed 8-of-15 pass attempts for 74 yards and two more scores (5 and 20 yards), and had an interception return for a score to lead the Warriors to a 56-41 football victory over Springville.

Teammate Damien Ramsey also added 150 yards on 16 carries with a 47-yard touchdown.

In Gaylesville’s 44-26 victory at Appalachian, senior DJ Lee ran for 172 yards on 18 carries and scored six touchdowns (2, 17, 61, and 7, 14 and 10 yards) to pace the Trojans. He also had a sack and an interception on defense.

Jacob Gordon posted nine tackles and had an interception on defense. He also had 127 rushing yards on 12 carries.

In Spring Garden’s 62-0 trouncing of West End of Walnut Grove, senior quarterback Ryley Kirk was 6-of-14 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns (64, 69, 47 yards). He also rushed for two touchdowns (1 and 17 yards) and connected for a two-point conversion pass in the win.

Two of Kirk’s top targets were Chaz Pope and Cooper Austin. Pope caught three passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns (64 and 47 yards). He also had an interception on defense that led to another touchdown in the win.

Austin also caught two passes for 87 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. He also had an interception on defense that led to the Panthers’ first touchdown of the game.

At Piedmont, sophomore quarterback Jack Hayes completed 10-of-12 pass attempts for 163 yards and four touchdowns to three different receivers in the defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs’ 35-6 victory over Saks.

Jaden Calhoun snagged TD passes covering 24 and 29 yards, Austin Estes hauled in a 19-yard TD reception and Coleman Reid had a 17-yard TD catch.

On defense, the Bulldogs were led by Landon Smart and Sean Smith. Smart accounted for 19 tackles, including two for lost yardage, with a sack and a pass break-up. Smith added 17 tackles, including two sacks, three stops for lost yardage, forced a fumble and partially blocked a punt in the Bulldog victory.

At Sand Rock, sophomore quarterback Ace Ashley had another solid Friday night, He was 12-of-23 passing for 161 yards and two touchdowns (6 and 5 yards) in a 21-14 loss to Westbrook Christian.

Leading the Wildcats on defense was Ethan Clanton, who registered 11 tackles.

In other statewide happenings on Friday, Madison County High School receiver Case Watson continued a trend by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in last week’s 70-31 Class 4A, Region 7 football win over New Hope.

Watson had two 80-yard returns for scores and also caught three passes for 87 yards and two more TDs to claim the AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 2 of the 2020 season.

The 5-foot-7, 140-pound junior for Coach Scott Sharp’s Tigers became just the 18th player in AHSAA history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a single game.

Ironically, one player has completed that feat each year since 2014 including Emmanuel Henderson of Geneva County in 2019; Christopher Holifield of LeFlore in 2018; Ja’Quan Myles of Daphne in 2017; Sam Kimel od Randolph in 2016; Tyler Durham of Brilliant in 2015; and in 2014, two players — Nick Thorn of Red Bay and Sam LaPlatney of Montgomery Academy reached that milestone.

The first entry in the record book belongs to John Arnett of Coffee Springs (now closed). He had kickoff returns of 85 and 75 yards in a 44-22 loss to Uriah (now J.U. Blacksher) in 1971.

Watson’s special teams’ effort edged out last week’s top receiver, Jack Harris of Guntersville. Harris had seven receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats downed Fairview 48-12. He was the first player in the AHSAA since 2018 to have 225 yards receiving in a single game.

The state record (412 yards) belongs to Chris Simpson of LaFayette, who had 20 catches in a win over Alabama Christian in the 2000 season. Westbrook Christian’s Brandon Greer had 11 catches for 311 yards in a 1998 game and Stevie Woods of Dora had 22 receptions for 303 yards in a 2010 win over Dora.

In other highlights reported from last Week 2 action:

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
SPANISH FORT HONORS PARK CROSSING’S KEONDRE HOPE: Spanish Fort High School’s football team, students and fans collected more $4,000 to help the family of Park Crossing quarterback Keondre Hope, who died Aug. 30, due to an accident with an ATV.

Prior to last Friday’s replacement game between Park Crossing and Spanish Fort, the family of Keondre was recognized before both crowds and was also presented the funds that had been collected to help them.

The Toros won the game 10-7, which did not count on either team’s record since both picked up forfeit wins from Gulf Shores and Russell County high schools. Both schools canceled last week’s games with Spanish Fort and Park Crossing, respectively, due to COVID 19 concerns.
This example of love and support exemplified what educational-based athletics can teach.

MILESTONES
NORTH JACKSON QB KEYS OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Dalton Morris was 18-of-32 passing for 362 yards and four touchdowns (43, 32, 64 and 85 yards) in a 62-42 win over Westminster Christian. He also ran for 68 yards on nine carries.

The two teams combined for 1,025 yards total offense with the Chiefs out-gaining the Wildcats 720 yards to 305. The 1,025 yards total is fourth most in state history, according to the AHSAA Record Book. It ranks behind Hewitt-Trussville and Manatee (FL) (1,287 yards) in 2016; Cordova and Trinity Presbyterian (1,266 yards) in 2008; Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville (1,199 yards) in 2018.

AUBURN EXTENDS STREAK: Auburn High School’s Burnard Thomas picked up a loose Prattville punt snap late in the second quarter and scooted four yards into the end zone right before the half to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead at intermission on the way to a 22-0 victory over the Lions. It was the seventh straight win for AHS over Prattville, the longest win streak in the series which dates back to 1934.

The Tigers also picked up a safety in the third period, Auburn’s third this season in three games.

FYFFE EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO 32: Defensive standout Ike Rowell scored a defensive touchdown with a 44-yard interception return, blocked a punt and led the Red Devils in rushing with 86 yards and another score as Fyffe won its 32nd game in a row with 54-0 win over Collinsville.

The victory was the 299th of head coach Paul Benefield’s coaching career.

Fyffe has won 59 of its last 60 games and the winning streak of 32 games is the longest current football winning streak in the AHSAA. Benefield will have a chance to join the very elite 300 Wins Club in the AHSAA this Friday when the Red Devils face Sylvania in a Class 3A, Region 7 battle at home.

PASSING
COLE McCARTY, GUNTERSVILLE: The Wildcats’ quarterback completed 18-of-23 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-12 win over Fairview.

CONNER HARRELL, THOMPSON: Completed 18-of-23 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 41 yards on two carries as the defending Class 7A state champion Warriors downed Tuscaloosa County 49-7 in the Region 3 opener.

TYLER NELSON, CALERA: Finished 18-of-31 passing for 298 yards and four touchdowns in the Eagles’ wild 49-41 setback to Pelham.

HAYDEN FLOYD, J.B. PENNINGTON: Completed 20-of-31 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns as JB. Pennington downed Vinemont 54-0.

TUCKER KILCREASE, BRANTLEY: Led the Bulldogs to a 55-0 win over Kinston completing 11-of-16 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a fifth score.

THOMAS SKAGGS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Had 341 total yards in the Conquerors’ 46-38 loss to Woodville. He was 18-of-32 passing for 274 Yard

IVERSON HOOKS, PIKE ROAD: Finished 8-of-17 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns in a 60-7 win over Carroll of Ozark.

JALEN VINSON, RED BAY: Was 13-of-20 passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers downed Lexington 40-13. His scoring tosses were 16, 55 and 69 yards.

TREY KILLINGSWORTH, STANHOPE ELMORE: Passed for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the Mustangs’ 41-9 win over Benjamin Russell. D. J. McGhee caught two of the TD passes, both going over 60 yards.

HUNTER SUTE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Finished 8-of-10 passing for 247 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-31 win over Montevallo.

QUINCY CRITTENDON, AUSTIN: Sparked the Black Bears to a 42-28 Class 7A, Region 4 win over Florence with 245 yards passing and 90 yards rushing. He had a 42-yard TD pass and 46-yard TD run.

TRENT BATTLE, DAPHNE: Was 8-of-10 passing for 217 yards and with TD passes of 79 yards to Kaden Blackwell, 9 yards to Travis Crum, and 65 yards to Jeh Holmes as the Class 7A Trojans beat Fairhope 41-13. Battle also rushed for 79 yards on eight attempts and scored on a 14-yard run.

JAROD LATTA, LEEDS: Turned in a 16-of-25 passing performance for 232 yards and two scores in the Green Wave’s 21-14 win over Lincoln.

BRIAN MACKEY, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Completed 7-of-10 passes for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Rams’ 27-22 victory over John Carroll Catholic.

HAL SMITHART, OPP: Finished 17-of-24 passing for 218 yards and TD as the Bobcats beat New Brockton 43-16.

ZYQUEZ PERRYMAN, PLEASANT GROVE: Was 9-of-12 passing for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ 48-7 win over Cordova.

BRENNAN MAYE-JORDAN, VIGOR: Was 13-of-21 passing for 206 yards with TD passes of 73 and 12 yards in the 29-12 win over W.S. Neal.

BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Completed 20-of-31 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns–with one interception–and ran for 79 yards and two TDs on 12 carries in a 62-42 loss to North Jackson.

JA’ISIAM TUCK, MUNFORD: The senior quarterback was 15-of-27 passing for 199 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-28 loss to Handley. He also rushed for 104 yards on 15 carries.

KARSON GREEN, SARALAND: Was 11-of-14 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown and also scored on a pair of short runs as the Spartans downed McGill-Toolen Catholic 42-14.

MICHAEL RICH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Was 9-of-20 passing for 197 yards and a TD as Southside beat Pell City 22-17.

QUENTIN HAYES, ENTERPRISE: The Wildcats quarterback was a perfect 8-for-8 passing with three touchdowns and 139 yards, while also rushing for 82 yards on 13 carries and a fourth score in Enterprise’s 42-13 Class 7A win over Dothan.

BRODY SPARKS, LAWRENCE COUNTY: Passed for 171 yards and three TDs on offense and sealed the Red Devils’ 31-28 win over West Point with an interception on defense late in the game.

AVERY SEATON, MADISON ACADEMY: Was 8-of-10 passing for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 86 yards and two TDs on 11 carries in a 51-17 win over DAR.

RUSHING
TRENT DAVIS, ETOWAH: Rushed for 305 yards and three touchdowns (42, 46 and 77 yards) in the Blue Devils’ 28-7 win over Oneonta.

TAE MEADOWS, HANDLEY: The junior running back had 26 carries for 289 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-28 win over Munford. His TD runs covered 36, 38, 37, 9 and 24 yards. He also scored on a two-point conversion and accounted for 32 of Handley’s 38 total points.

REGGIE DAVIS, LEE-MONTGOMERY: Had 27 rush attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns as the Generals topped Eufaula 25-10.

DEVONTAE CAUSEY, MILLRY: Rushed 24 times for 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats knocked off Fruitdale 45-38. He also had two catches for 27 yards.

JOSEPH ANDERSON, MONTEVALLO: Had a workhorse performance with 33 carries, 236 rushing yards and two touchdowns and also caught four passes for 44 yards in a 63-31 loss to American Christian.

KOBIE STRINGER, G.W. LONG: Rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Whitehead in a 41-34 win over Elba. Stringer’s last TD, a 40-yarder with two minutes to go, extended a one-point lead to 41-34 and Dalton Caraway secured the victory with an interception at the 15-yard line in the final minute. Stringer also had nine tackles on defense.

RAYSHAWN MILLER & JAYLEN NOBLES, SLOCOMB: Both backs rushed for more than 200 yards – combining 516 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as the Red Tops beat Northside Methodist Academy 63-20. Miller earned 251 yards and three TDs (1, 39 and 19 yards) on 17 carries. Nobles earned 209 and four scores (8, 44, 1 and 40 yards) on 12 carries and added a 56-yard touchdown reception. Overall, Nobles had 265 all-purpose yards and Miller 251. Nobles also had four tackles and a caused fumble on defense.

EMMANUEL HENDERSON, GENEVA COUNTY: Rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries in the Bulldogs’ 39-12 win over Cottonwood. Henderson’s TD runs covered 60, 30, 6 and 7 yards.

CARNEL DAVIS, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: The senior running back gained 215 yards on 25 rush attempts and scored a TD as the Panthers (3-0) beat Pell City 22-17. It was Davis’ third straight game over 100 yards.

BRANDON WALLER, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Had 13 carries for 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots broke open a 7-7 tie with 27 points in the second quarter on the way to a 63-31 win over Montevallo.

MAKHI HUGHES, HUFFMAN: Had 25 rush attempts for 186 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 28-15 victory over Shades Valley.

QUINSHON JUDKINS, PIKE ROAD: Ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries and hauled in two pass receptions for 52 yards as the Patriots won their first Class 5A, Region 2 contest over Carroll of Ozark.

T.J. RICHARDSON, THEODORE: Picked up 164 yards on 24 rush attempts and scored once as the Bobcats blanked Alma Bryant 28-0.

DAVID GARNER, MINOR: Ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries to lead the Tigers to a 27-14 Class 6A, Region 5 win over Mortimer Jordan.

KADIN BENNEFIELD, BOAZ: Managed 162 yards rushing on 12 carries with three touchdowns (5, 3, 29 yards) in a 48-7 win over Crossville. The senior running back now has 10 rushing touchdowns in the first three games this season.

JUDAH TAIT, OAK MOUNTAIN: Sparked the Eagles to a 38-23 win over Class 7A, Region 3 foe Gadsden City with 32 rush attempts totaling 160 yards and two touchdowns.

JAVONTE GRAVES-BILLIPS, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Ran for 152 yards and two scores on 10 carries and also had an interception on defense as the Saints defeated Williamson 28-12. His TD runs covered 82 and 38 yards.

LUKE BARNWELL, PHIL CAMPBELL: Ran for 143 yards and passed for 138 to account for four touchdowns in a 62-22 win over Elkmont. He had TD runs of 68, 20 and 7 yards and his TD pass to Ridge Raper covered 10 yards. Teammate Bryant Hyde finished as the game’s top rusher with 179 yards on 11 carries with a 45-yard TD scamper. Phil Campbell finished with 441 yards rushing as a team and 601 yards total offense.

ERIC WATTS, OPELIKA: Rushed for four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-6 victory over Sidney Lanier. He finished with 103 yards.

DYLAN PETERSON, PELHAM: Ran four times for 74 yards in the first quarter and finished with 128 yards and three scores on 10 total attempts to pace the Panthers to a 49-41 victory over Calera.

PASS RECEIVING
TYRIK WALKER, JAMES CLEMENS: Grabbed five passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-28 win over Bob Jones in the Madison Bowl.

SAWYER HEPTINSTALL, J.B. PENNINGON: Had 11 pass receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns and also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD in the Class 3A Tigers’ 54-0 win over Vinemont.

TREY WALLACE, PIKE ROAD: Pulled down 11 reception for 194 yards and three TDs in Pike Road’s 60-7 win over Carroll of Ozark.

JOSH RUFF, LEEDS: Snagged 12 receptions for 174 yards and a TD as Leeds beat Lincoln 21-14.

EVAN DELP, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Caught 10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdowns in a 46-38 loss to Woodville.

AULDEN BATTLES, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Grabbed four receptions for 133 yards in the Panthers’ 22-17 win over Pell City.

KRISTOPHER AGEE, VIGOR: Nabbed six receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns as Vigor clawed from behind to beat W.S. Neal 29-12.

MALIK THOMAS, HOOVER: Had nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown in a 24-21 win over Class 7A, Section 3 rival Vestavia Hills.

CAM JEFFERY, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Pulled in three pass receptions for 129 yards and two TDs as the Patriots beat Montevallo 63-31.

KOBE PRENTICE, CALERA: Pulled down six catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-41 setback to Pelham.

CA’MARION McKINNEY, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Pulled down three passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns and added an interception on defense as the Rams beat John Carroll Catholic 27-22.

KENUWYN DIXION, BRANTLEY: Had three pass receptions for 113 yards and two scores and rushed for a 39-yard TD in Brantley’s 55-0 win over Kinston.

NIGEL LANIER, NORTH JACKSON: Caught four passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, and teammate Brady Cunningham had three receptions for 103 yards and a TD as the Chiefs beat Westminster Christian 62-42. Lanier also threw a touchdown pass in the game, which totaled 104 points by both teams.

AUSTIN MORRIS, MORTIMER JORDAN: Had five catches for 110 yards and one TD covering 10 yards as the Blue Devils fell to Minor 27-14.

RYAN PEPPINS, THOMPSON: Caught four passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns covering 6, 70 and 29 yards as the Warriors beat Tuscaloosa County 49-7.

DEFENSE
JAMAL INGRAM, CENTRAL-FLORENCE: Scooped up a Wilson fumble and ran 99 yards for a touchdown to lead Central to a 21-14 win.

TREVON MOORE, OPELIKA: Had 10 tackles, including four sacks, in Opelika’s 42-6 win over Sidney Lanier.

ALASTAIR HARRIS, BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN: Contributed 14 tackles, including one for loss, and a pass break-up helping the Lions beat Chelsea 20-3.

ABRAHAM DANIELS, VIGOR: Had 14 tackles, eight for losses including two sacks, in a 29-12 victory over W.S. Neal.

T.J. PEEPLES, GLENCOE: Had 10 tackles, including four for a loss and a quarterback sack, as Glencoe beat Weaver 28-20.

COLE JENNINGS, OPP: Totaled 10 tackles, including two quarterback sacks, in the Bobcats’ 43-16 win over New Brockton.

LaPATRICK MURRY, WICKSBURG: Intercepted two passes, both leading to Wicksburg touchdown drives, and also earned five tackles in the Panthers’ 28-14 win over Providence Christian.

CHAD TARBERT, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Had two of the Rams’ three interceptions on defense as Carver nipped John Carroll Catholic 27-22.

GRAYSON EADY, RUSSELLVILLE: The defensive back had two interceptions for the Golden Tigers in a 41-0 win over Mae Jemison. The Russellville defense forced seven turnovers on the night.

TANNER ROGERS, ENTERPRISE: Had Eight tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and had three quarterback hurries in the Wildcats’ 42-13 win over Dothan. Teammate L.Z. Leonard had six tackles with a quarterback sack and one QB hurry as the Wildcats limited Dothan’s running game to 39 yards rushing. Leonard’s QB hurry in the fourth quarter resulted in Jaylon Webster’s 52-yard interception return for TD that broke the game open.

JEREMY DORTCH, REHOBETH: Had 11 tackles and teammates Dustin Roberts and Jacob Clark had 10 stops each in the Rebels’ 38-22 loss to Andalusia.

DREW STANLEY, RANDOLPH: Intercepted a pass with 1:25 remaining to clinch the Raiders’ 18-13 win over St. John Paul II Catholic. He also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass earlier in the contest.

ROBERT WOODYARD, WILLIAMSON: Returned an interception 55 yards for a Lions TD in a 28-12 loss to St. Paul’s Episcopal.

BRADEN RAY, OAK GROVE: Had nine tackles in the Tigers’ 63-12 loss To Gordo.

WILLIAM MIDDLETON, LEE-MONTGOMERY: Had nine tackles in Lee’s 25-10 win over Eufaula.

JEREMIAH WILLIAMS, RAMSAY: Had seven tackles, including two sacks, and forced a fumble to lead the Rams to a 36-7 triumph over Wenonah.

SPECIAL TEAMS
TRA MARSHALL, DALE COUNTY: Returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown and teammate Derrion Crossley sped 89 yards on a kickoff return for a TD in the Warriors’ 53-14 win over Ashford. Marshall also caught a 24-yard TD pass and Crossley also scored on a 4-yard run.

ZACH McNEELY, BAKER: Returned a blocked field goal attempt and ran 70 yards for a touchdown in the Hornets’ 52-0 win over Foley.

DEMARCUS LACEY, PLEASANT GROVE: Returned a punt 82 yards for a TD in the Spartans’ 48-7 win over Cordova.
JEREMIAH OWENS, WILLIAMSON: Sped 95 yards for a touchdown on a kickoff return in the Lions’ 28-12 loss to St. Paul’s Episcopal.

ABRAHAM BROWN, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the first period as the Leopards beat Escambia County 28-0.

LOGAN WILSON, ROBERTSDALE: Returned a kickoff for a touchdown as Robertsdale nipped Citronelle 14-13.

ALEX MALONE, DECATUR HERITAGE: Opened the Eagles’ 40-14 win over Phillips with a kickoff return for a touchdown and also had TD pass receptions of 44 and 27 yards.

RIVER HELMS, WEST LIMESTONE: Returned a punt 50 yards for a TD and added a rushing touchdown as West Limestone beat Deshler 33-14 – its first win over the Tigers since 2016.

CARSON SHAW, COLBERT HEIGHTS: Returned the second-half kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown as the Wildcats beat Danville 37-0.