The AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – Piedmont High School senior quarterback Jack Hayes is leaving quite a legacy.
Last week, he completed 29-of-38 pass attempts for 401 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-14 victory Calhoun County rival Ohatchee. His five touchdowns accounted for pushed him to No. 1 in AHSAA history while is five TD passes moved him into second place all-time in that touchdown category. Career passing and total offense records are still within his grasp as well.
For his efforts, Hayes lands in the AHSAA Prep Football Spotlight this week.
From Piedmont Coach Steve Smith’s perspective, his senior quarterback’s true worth aren’t in the passing numbers – but in the number of games he has started for the Bulldogs (49) and in the number of games won (42).
“He just somehow finds a way to win the game,” said Smith, who was an outstanding quarterback himself in his own high school days at Cherokee County.
One does not have to look far. Last year’s Class 3A state finals would be a good place to start.
Piedmont found itself trailing 29-6 to Montgomery Academy at the half, but Hayes and his teammates battled back to win the 3A state title 35-33 – outscoring their opponents 29-4 in the final two quarters with the points allowed being two intentional safeties.
Piedmont has won two state titles (2019 and 2021) with Hayes at the throttles.
“He is just a natural leader,” says Smith. “The players believe in him, and he believes in them. It is truly an amazing thing to witness week after week.”
Hayes surpassed Lanett quarterback Kristian Story to become the AHSAA’s all-time career leader in touchdowns accounted for last week.
Story had 175 in his fabled career, and Hayes now has 179. He tied the record with a 32-yard pass to Max Hanson in the first quarter of last week’s game and broke the record with a 59-yard strike to Thomas Propst on the first play of the second quarter. Propst finished with 11 catches for 128 yards, and Ishmael Bethel had five catches for 170 yards and TDs covering 65 and 80 yards.
Hayes now has 133 career TD passes and 46 rushing touchdowns. He has 8,778 career passing yards, which ranks seventh all-time and is 1,996 yards behind the AHSAA career leader JaMarcus Russell of Williamson, who had 10,774 passing yards in his career before moving on to LSU before becoming the first player picked in the NFL Draft in 2007.
Hayes’ career TD passing total is just one behind all-time AHSAA career leader Chris Smelley, who closed out his prep career at American Christian with 134. He went on to have an outstanding career the University of South Carolina quarterbacking for legendary coach Steve Spurrier before returning to Alabama to become a high school coach. He is currently on the staff at Hoover High School.
Story, who is currently a member of the University football team playing safety, holds the AHSAA career total offense record (13,218), which combines passing, rushing and pass receiving yardage. Hayes currently ranks fifth all-time with 11,200 total yards.
Hayes’ record-setting performance last week edged out two outstanding receiving efforts by receivers Ben Hall of Southeastern and Grayson Davenport of Randolph School in Huntsville that earned both submissions into the AHSAA Record Book.
Hall caught five passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns, added six tackles and a fumble recovery on defense as the Mustangs posted a wild 57-53 victory over Holly Pond in Class 2A, Region 6. His 295 receiving yards in a single game rank 5th all-time, according to the AHSAA Record Book.
Davenport had 13 receptions for 289 yards and four scores in a 53-20 Class 4A, Region 8 win over Westminster Christian to move into fifth place all-time.
LaFayette’s Chris Simpson set the record in 2000 with 412 yards on 20 catches in a 38-37 win over Alabama Christian. Westbrook Christian’s Brandon Greer had 11 catches for 311 yards in a 54-20 win over Donoho in 1998; Dora’s Stevie Woods had 22 catches for 303 yards in a 38-35 loss to Oak Grove in 2010; and Fayette County’s Sam Collins caught 16 passes for 298 yards in a 47-27 win over Pleasant Grove in 1997.
MILESTONES
COACH ERNIE WILLINGHAM, COLLINSVILLE: Moved past schools wins leader Coach Raymond Weaver with the Panthers’ 37-20 win over Sand Rock. Running back Keaton DeBoard rushed for 192 yards four touchdowns on 20 carries and teammate Mason McAteer added 158 rushing yards on eight carries. He scored on a 55-yard run as Collinsville (3-1) improved to 2-1 in Class 2A, Region 7.
Willingham, who is in his 14th season as Collinsville’s head coach, now owns an 86-62 record at Collinsville – where he is serving his third tour as head coach. Weaver compiled an 85-103 record at the small DeKalb County high school from 1976-1993.
A total of 27 head coaches have served at Collinsville in its 102-year football history. Willingham, who is a Collinsville graduate who played for Weaver, owns a 137-92 overall record in 21 seasons with seven years at Appalachian. He served as a high school basketball coach at Appalachian and Albertville before landing his first head football coaching job at Collinsville in 1998. He compiled a 31-24 record over the next five years with his 1999 team winning 10 games.
Willingham moved back to Appalachian as head football coach in 2004 – compiling a 51-30 slate and back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2008 and 2009. He stepped down as head football coach for the Eagles after the 2010 season and re-emerged back at his alma mater in 2013. Since then, he has compiled a 55-38 record through this season.
He did not coach the team in 2020, however. Daniel Garrett served as head coach.
Willingham directed the Panthers to a 12-2 record in 2019, their best season since Weaver’s 1983 team finished 12-1—losing 8-6 to 1A state champion Millport in the semifinals. Weaver’s 1982 team finished 10-2 and reached the semis falling to Akron 7-6.
KENNETH BROWN, AUTAUGAVILLE: His 100-yard interception return helped Autaugaville (4-1) beat Billingsley 49-6 in a key Class 1A, Region 4 battle between Autauga County rivals. His interception was one of four returned by the Eagles that were returned for touchdowns – establishing an AHSAA single-game state record. It was the Eagles’ first win over the Bears in the series since 2013 snapping an eight-game losing streak over their rivals in the process. Billingsley came in with a 38-34-3 edge in the series which started in 1932. Autaugaville, coached by Javaris Jackson, also scored a TD on a 60-yard interception return by Deshawn Hall, and Jaden Nixon scored on two pick sixes. The Eagles’ standout also caught a 20-yard TD pass and kicked 28-yard field goal as well Nixon’s two pick sixes tied the AHSAA state record for interception returns for TDs in a single game with seven others – the most recent by Muscle Shoals’ Javar Strong and Mobile Christian’s Jason Brooks. Both accomplished the feat in the 2019 season. There is no team record listing in the NFHS National Record Book for interception returns for TDs in a single game.
EVAN TAYLOR, GUNTERSVILLE: Tied an AHSAA state record by becoming the 20th player on record to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 62-14 win over Boaz in Class 5A, Region 7. He also had an interception on defense. The first AHSAA player on reported to accomplish the feat was Coffee Springs’ Jon Arnett in 1971. His TD returns covered 85 and 75 yards came in a 44-22 loss to Uriah (J.U. Blacksher). It happened twice last season. Foley’s Ty Roper had two 99-yard kickoff returns for scores in 35-31 win over Davidson, and Hazel Green’s Jerron Smith had two in the Trojans’ 49-26 victory over Mae Jemison. Five different players share the national record (3) – the most recent to accomplish the feat was Cole Corey of Tecumseh (MI) versus Ypsilanti Lincoln in 2002. His kickoff returns for TDs covered 94, 84 and 94 yards according to the NFHS National Record Book.
SAM PEEK, WOODVILLE: The junior quarterback ran for 225 yards, four touchdowns and a two-point conversion and passed for 63 yards and two touchdowns on offense while recording 10.5 tackles and an interception on defense during Class 1A Woodville’s 58-26 win over visiting Vina. The win snapped Woodville’s 14-game losing streak and was the first head-coaching win for head coach Matt Sanders, currently in his second year as head coach. Woodville’s last win prior to Friday was a 34-28 victory over Section in Week 10 of the 2020 season. In addition to Peek, running back Ace Weaver ran for 232 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries. He opened the game on with a 73-yard run to the Vina 2-yard line to set up the first touchdown. He also scored three 2-point conversions and had seven tackles plus a fumble recovery on defense in the win.
ZAYLON McMILLIAN, EXCEL: Had 13 rushes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in Excel’s 31-24 Class 3A, Region 1 victory over Flomaton. McMillian’s final touchdown with 12 seconds left gave Excel its first win over Flomaton in 17 years. McMillian also intercepted Flomaton’s final Hail Mary pass attempt following the ensuing kickoff to preserve the win.
Other top performances reported include:
RUSHING
JAMARI McCLURE, GOSHEN: Accounted for 354 all-purpose yards, including 299 yards rushing and receiving with five touchdowns in a 60-28 win over LaFayette. He rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, caught three passes for 103 yards with two TDs and returned two kickoffs for 55 combined yards. He added an interception and two tackles on defense.
RAYMON BLACKMON, DOTHAN: Had 239 yards rushing with four touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown with 2:46 left in the Wolves’ 57-43 win over Smiths Station in Class 7A, Region 2. He also caught two passes for 29 yards and returned two kickoffs for 53 yards, giving him 321 all-purpose yards in the game.
MATTHEW COLEMAN, HALEYVILLE: Dashed 66 yards with 39 seconds remaining for the game winning touchdown as the Lions beat Northside 35-27. He finished with 123 yards and three touchdowns as Haleyville scored all 35 of its points in the second half to post the Class 4A, Region 5 win. Coleman also tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Whitt Sutherland. For Northside, Braden Green had 238 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
ANTONIO ROSS, ALEXANDRIA: Gained 233 yards rushing on 30 carries and scored three touchdowns in a 33-15 Class 5A, Region 6 win over Springville.
ACE WEAVER, WOODVILLE: The junior ran for 232 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries — he had a 73-yard run to the Vina 2-yard line on the game’s first play — and scored three two-point conversions on offense to go with seven tackles and a fumble recovery on defense in the Woodville win.
BRADY HARDIN, RED BAY: Had 28 rush attempts for 228 yards and three touchdowns as Red Bay broke open a 24-24 tie with Hackleburg by scoring the final 34 points of the game. Hardin scored on 43-yard run late in the second quarter to put Red Bay on course for the 58-24 win. He also scored in the second half on runs of 4 and 31 yards.
NATE ROGERS, WETUMPKA: Accumulated 225 total yards and scored three touchdowns as the Indians posted a 49-7 win over Russel County in Class 6A, Region 2.
DIEGO HOLT, NORTH JACKSON: The sophomore rush for 220 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries during the Chiefs’ 21-14 Class 4A, Region 8 win over St. John Paul II.
CARLIN LONG, HUNTSVILLE: Ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries in a 28-24 Class 7A, Region 4 win over Bob Jones.
LAKENDRICK JORDAN, DALE COUNTY: Rushed for 192 yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns and added an interception return on defense for a third touchdown in the Warriors’ 29-18 Class 4A, Region 2 win over Bullock County.
A.J. HORSTEAD, HELENA: The workhorse Huskies running back had 33 carries for 190 yards and one TD as Helena pulled out a 31-24 overtime win over Pelham in Class 6A, Region 3.
NOAH SPRAYBERRY, HOKES BLUFF: Rushed for 186 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the Eagles’ 24-21 Class 3A, Region 6 victory over Westbrook Christian.
JY MOSTELLA, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in the Conquerors’ 35-33 Class 1A, Region 7 loss to Valley Head.
RYKELUS ROBERTSON, VINCENT: Had 179 yards rushing to 10 carries with an 82-yard TD run in a 36-35 Class 2A, Region 4 loss to B.B. Comer.
TYLER NELSON, GARDENDALE: Ran 25 times for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns and completed 8-of-14 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 Class 6A, Region 5 triumph over Parker.
JEREMIAH COBB, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Gained 179 yards and two touchdowns on 10 rush attempts in the Knights’ 62-0 Class 4A, Region 2 victory over Geneva.
MYLES JOHNSON, T.R. MILLER: Rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries as T.R. Miller beat Orange Beach 38-13 in Class 4A, Region 1. He also had a two-point conversion.
QUINN SYKES, ANNISTON: Had 20 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns as the unbeaten Bulldogs (5-0) downed White Plains 48-13 in Class 4A, Region 4.
NATHAN COLE, J.U. BLACKSHER: Had 31 carries for 168 yards and three scores and was 3-of-4 passing for 92 yards in a 21-15 win over St. Luke’s Episcopal in Class 2A, Region 1.
KESHUN JOHNSON, MARY MONTGOMERY: Rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, and caught four passes for 22 yards as the Vikings beat Alma Bryant 33-19 in Class 7A, Region 1.
CHAPEL POPE, SPRING GARDEN: Rushed for 117 yards on 14 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns (44 and 2 yards), completed 3-of-5 pass attempts for 65 yards, and had an interception on defense to lead the Panthers to a 33-16 Class 1A, Region 6 homecoming win over Winterboro.
LOGAN THORNTON, SHOALS CHRISTIAN: Had touchdown runs of 92, 14 and 10 yards, and teammate Lee Swindall added TD runs of 73 and 5 yards, tossed a 45-yard TD pass and caught a 25-yard TD reception in the Flame’s 59-6 Class 1A, Region 8 win over Cherokee.
PASSING
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Passed for 331 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Wolverines (4-0) to a 46-44 victory over Stanhope Elmore in Class 7A, Region 2. Antonio Trone hauled in one of Johnson’s completions for a 60-yard TD and added 155 yards rushing and three TDs on 17 carries in the win. The 46 points were the most by a Carver team since 2018. Stanhope Elmore’s Jacob Bryant was 26-of-45 passing for 392 yards and four touchdowns for the Mustangs.
TY’JARION WILLIAMS, ALICEVILLE: Accounted for 429 total yards and accounted for all eight Aliceville touchdowns as the Class 2A Yellow Jackets (4-1) beat Sulligent 54-28 in Class 2A, Region 5. He passed for 303 yards and seven TDs and rushed for 126 yards and another TD in the win.
JOHN MICHAEL DOWNS, BIBB COUNTY: Passed for 389 yards and six touchdowns in the Choctaws’ 56-10 Class 4A, Region 3 victory over Sipsey Valley.
BO SOLLEY, DECATUR HERITAGE: Completed 12-of-17 pass attempts for 375 yards and three touchdowns (53, 61 and 44 yards) to lead the Eagles to a 43-21 win over Cedar Bluff in Class 1A, Region 7. He added 91 rushing yards on nine carries with two more scores (78 and 2 yards) to finish with 466 total yards.
CADEN CREEL, FAIRHOPE: Was 17-of-28 passing for 293 yards and one touchdown as the unbeaten Pirates (5-0) downed Davidson 55-28 in Class 7A, Region 1. He also rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries to finish the night with 429 total yards.
COLE McCARTY, MOODY: Completed 12-of-16 passes for 339 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 53 yards on seven carries as the Blue Devils (5-0) remained unbeaten with a 32-6 win over Lincoln in Class 5A, Region 6.
KAMARI McCLELLAN, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Was 14-of-24 passing for 311 yards and four touchdowns in the Cougars’ 56-19 win over Center Point in a Class 6A, Region 6 battle of unbeatens.
CLAYTON MAINS, PELHAM: Passed for 270 yards and touchdowns in a 31-24 overtime loss to Helena in Class 6A, Region 3.
GAUGE NESMITH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Finished with 303 total yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 52-3 Class 5A, Region 7 victory over St. Clair County. He was 12-of-20 passing for 163 yards and two TDs and rushed for 140 yards and a score on nine carries. Nesmith’s main target was Cody Roberts, who caught six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
BRICE McKENZIE, HIGHLAND HOME: Was 13-of-19 passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards and another TD as the Flying Squadron (5-0) remained unbeaten with a 42-0 win over Horseshoe Bend in Class 2A, Region 3.
JOSH WARD, SPARKMAN: Had 267 yards passing and five touchdowns on an 11-of-16 passing effort to lead the Senators to a 54-0 Class 7A, Region 4 win over Grissom.
BRYSON HUGHES, G.W. LONG: The Rebels’ quarterback was 16-of-24 passing for 204 yards, rushed for a 7-yard score and recorded nine tackles on defense in a 21-0 Class 2A,Region 2 win over Geneva County.
CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Was 11-for-15 passing for 202 yards and five touchdowns in a 62-0 Class 4A, Region 2 win over Geneva by the unbeaten Knights (5-0).
MASON COLEY, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Was 17-of-32 passing for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the Warriors’ 24-21 Class 3A, Region 6 loss to Hokes Bluff.
JARRETT DAUGHTRY, FAITH ACADEMY: Was a perfect 11-of-11 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams raced past Citronelle 43-0 in Class 5A, Region 1. He as Faith Academy rolled past Citronelle.
KAM SANDLIN, ANNISTON: Was 13-of-23 passing for 173 yards and four TDs in unbeaten Anniston’s 48-13 win over Class 4A, Region 4 foe White Plains.
PRESTON STOKES, CALERA: Completed 16-of-22 passes for 171 yards – with receiver Braylyn Farrington making six catches for 100 yards – in the 38-14 Class 6A, Region 3 win over Chilton County.
JAYDEN PARKS, BRANTLEY: Completed 9-of-12 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in a 53-6 Class 1A, Region 2 win over Kinston. Keldrick Brown hauled in two passes, including one for a 57-yard touchdown, and rushed for 115 yards and two scores on just five carries. Robert Shine led the Bulldogs’ rushers with 120 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries.
LANDON KELLER, NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN: Completed 5-of-6 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns in a 54-28 Class 2A, Region 7 win over Whitesburg Christian.
HAYES HUNT, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Completed 11-of-14 passes for 133 yards and five touchdowns in the Eagles’ 62-14 Class 3A, Region 6 victory over Sumter Central.
CADE HOPPER, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Was a near-perfect 7-of-8 passing for 101 yards and two touchdowns as the Warriors (4-1) beat Hanceville 49-15 in Class 4A, Region 6. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
K.J. LACEY, SARALAND: The sophomore quarterback tossed four touchdown passes, three to receiver Ryan Williams, as the Spartans (5-0) remained unbeaten with a 50-0 Class 6A, Region 1 win over Robertsdale.
BRIAN CHAPMAN, SARDIS: In his first varsity start, the sophomore quarterback threw four touchdown passes to help the Lions post a 36-14 Class 5A, Region 7 victory over Crossville.
ELIJAH HALL, B.T. WASHINGTON: Passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in a 34-14 Class 4A, Region 2 win over Slocomb.
PASS RECEIVING
JALEN JONES, RAMSAY: Had eight catches for 223 yards and three touchdowns covering 85, 41 and 53 yards in a 48-14 Class 5A, Region 5 victory over Fairfield.
JACKSON PARRIS, HOMEWOOD: Had three receptions for 160 yards and two TDs as the Patriots (4-1) handed Benjamin Russell (4-1) its first loss in Class 6A, Region 3.
BRAYLAN GREEN, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Snagged seven passes for 158 yards and a TD in a 45-8 Class 4A, Region 1 win over Satsuma.
ANTHONY EAGER, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: The senior receiver caught three TD passes for 121 yards (36, 45 and 40 yards) as McGill-Toolen downed its downtown Mobile rival Murphy 34-14 in Class 6A, Region 1.
DARIUS COPELAND, PELHAM: Had six pass receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 31-24 overtime setback to Helena in Class 6A, Region 3.
TREYVIAN GLOVER, THEODORE: Pulled down five pass receptions for 88 yards and a 48-yard touchdown in a come-from-behind 29-21 win over Spanish Fort in Class 6A, Region 1. He also had seven tackles, two for a loss and three pass breakups – playing 58 snaps on offense, 66 on defense and 12 on special teams – a total of 136 plays on the night.
PAXTON TARVER, DECATUR HERITAGE: Hauled in five receptions for 143 yards and two scores in the Eagles’ 43-21 Class 1A, Region 7 victory over Cedar Bluff.
TRAY YOUNGBLOOD, VINCENT: Made seven catches for 118 yards, scored two touchdowns, and passed for a 26-yard TD in the Jacket’ 36-35 setback to B.B. Comer in Class 2A, Region 4. The loss was the first of the season for Vincent (4-1).
JACE TURNER, SAND ROCK: Caught four passes for 104 yards in a 37-20 loss to Collinsville. He scored on a 72-yard TD pass.
JAKALEB FAULK, HIGHLAND HOME: Had three pass receptions for 100 yards including touchdowns of 12 and 73 yards in a 42-0 Class 2A, Region 3 win over Horseshoe Bend.
COLE HOUSTON, PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN: Caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 28-14 Class 3A, Region 3 win over Greensboro.
DEFENSE
ZACK WRIGHT, VINCENT: Had 22 tackles in the Yellow Jackets’ 36-35 loss to B.B. Comer in Class 2A, Region 4.
SAM PAYNE, PRATTVILLE: Recorded 15 tackles, including four for lost yardage and one quarterback sack, to help the Lions beat Opelika 24-21 in overtime.
DAMIEN HART, CHARLES HENDERSON: Totaled 14 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble in the Trojans’ 26-24 loss to Beauregard in Class 5A, Region 2.
KORION SALTER, DOTHAN: Returned an interception 90 yards for a game-sealing touchdown with 36 seconds left and added a 25-yard return of a blocked punt for a score to lead the Wolves past Smiths Station 57-43 in Class 7A, Region 2. He also had 10 tackles on defense.
ELIJAH MYERS, DAPHNE: Returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown with 2:21 left to seal a 25-14 come-from-behind homecoming win over Baker in Class 7A, Region 1.
DADA STOUDEMIRE, OPP: Batted down a two-point pass with 17 seconds left to preserve a 28-27 Opp win over Pike County in Class 3A, Region 2. He also caught three passes for 59 yards with a touchdown on offense. Hall was in on 16 tackles, including a quarterback sack.
MICHAEL BANKS-MASON, CALERA: Picked off a Chilton County pass and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown to ignite the Eagles’ 38-14 Class 6A, Region 3 win over the Tigers. Banks-Mason also recorded 15 tackles in the win. Teammate Jeremiah Henderson added another defensive TD for the Eagles with a 30-yard fumble return.
LAMARION FUNCHES-BOOKER, MARS HILL BIBLE: Returned an interception 31 yards for a Mars Hill touchdown in the first quarter and the Panthers downed Elkmont 69-8 in Class 3A, Region 8. His pick was one of four first-quarter interceptions by the defense of Coach DARRELL Higgins’ team.
WYATT PRADO, LEXINGTON: Had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, raced 55 yards for another score on a punt return and also caught a TD pass as Lexington downed Tharptown 53-18 in Class 2A, Region 8.
HOLDEN INMAN, RED BAY: Had two interceptions, returning one 41 yards for a touchdown, and totaled 11 tackles as the Tigers beat Hackleburg 58-24.
CHARLIE ADAMS, MONTEVALLO: Blocked a field goal, had nine tackles and had four stops for lost yardage in a 7-6 loss to West Blocton in Class 4A, Region 3.
REECE WINSTEAD, SPRING GARDEN: Had two interceptions in the Panthers’ 33-16 Class 1A, Region 6 win over Winterboro.
ISAIAH WARNICK, FALKVILLE: Picked off two passes, returning one 30 yards for a touchdown, in a 21-6 Class 2A, Region 8 win over Hatton.
TITAN RICH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Had 12 tackles, blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown and ran back an interception for a touchdown in the Panthers’ 52-3 Class 5A, Region 7 victory over St. Clair County.
CORNELIUS JONES, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Totaled 10 tackles on defense, had 106 yards rushing with a touchdown, and passed for another score in the Rams’ 20-14 win over John Carroll Catholic in Class 5A, Region 5.
SPECIAL TEAMS
REID MONTGOMERY, PRATTVILLE: Booted a 22-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Lions to a 24-21 win over previously unbeaten Opelika in Class 7A, Region 2.
KINGSTON PHAN, UMS-WRIGHT: The freshman place-kicker booted a game-winning 32-yard field goal as the unbeaten Bulldogs (5-0) squeaked out s 10-7 victory Vigor in Class 5A, Region 1. The Wolves moved up to 5A this season after going 14-1 and winning the Class 4A state title last season.
LEON CHEN, HOKES BLUFF: Kicked a 24-yard field goal with two minutes remaining for the winning points in Hokes Bluff’s 24-21 Class 3A, Region 6 victory over Westbrook Christian. Chen also went 3-for-3 in extra points.
BRENNAN TROMEY, PIKE ROAD: Kicked a 26-yard field in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime as Pike Road beat Eufaula 16-10. Kaleb Foster scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime with a 1-yard quarterback sneak.
KAM SHANKS, PRATTVILLE: Returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to spark the Lions to a 24-21 overtime win over previously unbeaten Opelika in Class 7A, Region 2. He also snagged four passes for 145 yards and Prattville’s other two touchdowns.
JAKARI BELUE, DESHLER: Returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown and the Tigers’ special teams blocked two punts to set up two more scores as Deshler ((5-0) downed Wilson 55-13 in Class 4A, Region 7. Belue added TD runs of 11, 19 and 34 yards, and C.J. Jackson, who blocked the first punt, later returned a fumble 52 yards for a score.
SKYLAR JOHNSON, SHEFFIELD: Blocked an extra point that could have tied the game with 1:20 left to play to preserve a 48-47 Class 2A, Region 8 victory over unbeaten Tanner (4-1).
TRISTAN CHEATHAM, MARS HILL BIBLE: Was a perfect 9-for-9 on extra point tries in the Panthers’ 69-8 Class 3A, Region 8 win over Elkmont.
TYLER WAGNON, COLBERT HEIGHTS: Returned a punt 73 yards for a score, added a rushing TD and pass receiving TD in Colbert Heights’ 52-38 win over Clements in Class 3A, Region 8. Quarterback Dakota Vaughn passed for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth TD for the Wildcats.
TANNER PATTON, G.W. LONG: Kicked field goals of 21 and 44 yards in the Rebels’ 21-0 win over Geneva County in Class 2A, Region 2.
LUKE HARKLESS, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown and caught two TD passes covering 64 and 16 yards in the Knights’ 62-0 win over Geneva.
ABDULLAH ALLABASSI, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Kicked a 34-yard field goal and was 8-for-8 in extra points in the Panthers’ 52-3 victory over St. Clair County.