Staff Reports

PELL CITY – Following last Friday’s football loss to Wadley, Class 1A, No. 8 Spring Garden rebounded in convincing fashion with a 42-14 victory at Victory Christian.

Connor Bates, Chapel Pope and John Welsh each accounted for a pair of touchdowns for the Panthers (3-1, 1-1 Region 6), who built a 35-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Bates collected 59 yards on five carries with a pair of first-quarter scores. He also posted four tackles and a sack on defense. Pope ran for 58 yards on six totes with a first-quarter touchdown. He also completed 2-of-4 pass attempts for 55 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown connection with Reece Winstead near the end of the first quarter. Welsh blocked a punt for a score in the first quarter and ran in for a 12-yard touchdown in the second to put the Panthers up 42-0 at halftime.

Cam Welsh added 53 yards on seven carries. Clayton Sadler and Noah Barber also had four tackles apiece. Gavin Cash recovered a fumble.

Victory Christian (2-2, 1-1) scored the only touchdowns in the second half on runs by Kaden Dixon and Shepard Sargent.

Spring Garden hosts Winterboro next Friday. Victory Christian is at Donoho.