The AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – It took seven weeks of the high school football season, but the Gaylesville Trojans finally got in the win column Thursday night with a 54-6 Class 1A, Region 7 football victory over Woodville on homecoming.
Keylon Higgins and Hunter Allmond were big keys in the Trojan win. Higgins ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. He also returned an interception for a 70-yard touchdown. Allmond intercepted two passes and returned one 40 yards for a touchdown.
Both of their efforts were recognized Tuesday in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Football Spotlight.
The Piedmont Bulldogs also had a few players recognized following a 34-0 victory at Westbrook Christian on Thursday. Jack Hayes had 208 total yards, including a 15-of-23, 132-yard, two-touchdown performance through the air. He also ran for 76 yards on nine carries.
Sloan Smith booted two field goals in the second quarter from 30 and 29 yards, which tied his season high of two made field goals in a single game.
Trevor Pike and Brody Epps led the Bulldog defense with 13 and 14 tackles respectively. Pike also had an interception.
In other statewide happenings, Thompson High School sophomore Anquon Fegans and Florence High School senior Jahlil Hurley took their outstanding play to another notch last week by delivering game-winning plays on defense to preserve two hard-fought victories for their schools to grab this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 6 of the 2022 prep football season.
Fegans made two interceptions for the Class 7A defending state champion Warriors. He returned his first interception 40 yards for a touchdown with 11:45 left in the final quarter to give Thompson, coached by Mark Freeman, a 14-6 lead. His second pick, however, came on a 2-point conversion try with 1:37 remaining that foiled Hewitt-Trussville’s attempt to tie the 14-12 game and send it into overtime. Thompson then recovered an onside kick and was able to run out the clock to seal the win.
The picks were the 5th and 6th of the season for the 6-foot-2, 181-pound sophomore safety. He finished with five tackles as Thompson (5-2) improved to 4-0 in Region 3 with the two-point win.
Hurley blocked a 40-yard field goal try by Bob Jones High School on the last play of the game to preserve a 38-35 Class 7, Region 4 win for the Falcons (5-2), coached by Kenny Morson.
Moments earlier, the talented Falcons’ 6-2, 170-pounf defensive back and wide receiver, caught a 29-yard pass to set up teammate Chandler Dixon’s 23-yard go-ahead field goal with 47 seconds left in the game.
Hurley also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass early in contest. Bob Jones quarterback Ray Hardy, who accounted for 309 yards rushing and passing for the Patriots, drove Bob Jones from its own 30 to the Florence 23 with three completed passes to set up the final field-goal try. He passed for 191 yards and ran for 118 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the three-point loss.
Fegans and Hurley edged out a phenomenal passing performance by Minor quarterback Kareem Keye. He was 20-of-29 passing for 477 yards and seven touchdowns in s 56-20 win over Mortimer Jordan in Class 6A, Region 5. It was his second 400-yard plus passing performance this season.
Other top performances reported this week include:
MILESTONES
KOLTON NERO, FOLEY: Nero carried 17 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions’ 39-38 win over previously undefeated Fairhope in the 100th game of the series between the Baldwin County teams. Matt Owens booted a 23-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining to ice the win. The two teams have played annually for the last 91 years – beginning in 1931 – and Foley now lead the series over the Pirates 53-43-4. Foley (3-3), coached by Deric Scott, and Fairhope (5-1) are also tied AT 2-1 in Class 7A, Region 1. Daphne currently leads Region 1 with a 3-0 region record. Foley has compiled a 579-355-27 record overall. Fairhope, coached by Tim Carter, had its first season in 1931 and owns a 538-366-24 during its 91-year span. The two teams have met twice several times including two games each year from 1942-1947.
RI FLETCHER, HARTSELLE: Led the Tigers (7-0) to 29-26 win over Muscle Shoals with 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 12 carries in a key Class 6A, Region 7 battle at Hartselle. His 43-yard TD run in the final quarter gave Hartselle the lead for good and its first 7-0 start since 2018 and fifth 7-0 start since 2008. The 2011 team went 15-0 and won the Class 5A state football title beating Vigor 13-3 in the finals at Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium.
BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Totaled 491 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns as Westminster Christian downed DAR 53-7 in Class 4A, Region 8. In the process, he improved his career passing touchdowns total to 107 and his career total yards to 8,518. He was 17-of-23 passing for 281 yards and four touchdowns and had 12 carries for 210 rushing yards and three scores covering 62, 15 and 39 yards. His passing TDs went for 38, 46, 33 and 31 yards. Hs 107 career TD passes moves him to fifth all-time according to the AHSAA Record Book – moving him past Brodie Croyle of Westbrook Christian, who had 105 in his career that spanned from 1996-1999. Croyle went on to play at the University of Alabama and in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs before returning home to become director of The Big Oak Ranch near his hometown of Gadsden.
EARL WOODS, HUEYTOWN: Totaled seven touchdowns and 216 all-purpose yards in a 75-7 Class 6A, Region 4 win over Paul Bryant. He was 6-of-10 passing for 177 yards and had seven rush attempts for 39 yards on the night. He guided Hueytown to the state finals last season as the Gophers set the AHSAA’s all-time scoring record with 784 points in 15 games. He passed for 3,072 yards and rushed for 2,123 yards to amass 5,195 yards – which ranks second all-time to Southside-Selma’s Chris Thomas, who had 5,342 total yards last season. Woods’ 57 touchdowns accounted for in a single season ranked tied for ninth all time.
ISAIAH WARNICK, FALKVILLE: Caught eight passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns and made four solo tackles in a 40-34 loss to Lexington. He became just the fifth receiver in AHSAA history to go over 300 yards receiving in a single game – and the third receiver this season to accomplish the feat.
DEFENSE
CHRISTOPHER MOORE, JEFF DAVIS: Totaled 16 tackles, including two for losses, as the Vols downed Lee-Montgomery 26-20 in Class 7A, Region 2.
RANDRIQUIS McCARY, BILLINGSLEY: Managed 14 tackles and recovered a fumble as the Bears best Central-Hayneville 32-30 in Class 1A, Region 4.
LUKE GORDON, PRATTVILLE: Had 14 tackles and a sack in a 42-26 win over Enterprise in Class 7A, Region 2.
BRANDON DEAN, FAITH ACADEMY: Had 10 tackles, three assists, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and four tackles for a loss in the Rams’ 30-6 Class 5A, Region 1 win over Vigor.
BLAKE HATAWAY, REHOBETH: Led the Rebels with 13 tackles and teammate Parker Peacock had 12 in a 27-15 Class 5A, Region 2 setback to Charles Henderson.
JAY RAGLAND, ASHFORD: Recorded 11 tackles, including three for losses, in the Yellow Jackets’ 38-24 win over Daleville in Class 3A, Region 2. Ragland also scored on a 30-yard run on offense.
DARRELL BROOKS, ALICEVILLE: Accounted for 13 tackles in the Jackets’ 48-21 Class 2A, Region 5 win over Lamar County.
MADDOX BURKHARDT, WICKSBURG: Anchored a strong defensive effort with 12 tackles to lead the Panthers to a 23-14 win over Geneva County in Class 2A, Region 2. Teammates Jacob Cox and Isaac Murphy totaled 11 tackles each in the win.
WILLIAM MILNER, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Had 10 tackles in a 35-20 loss to Saint James in Class 3A, Region 3.
NATHAN THOMASON, HELENA: Had eight tackles with four stops for losses and a game-ending interception in the Huskies’ 31-21 win over Briarwood Christian.
HUNTER PYLE, ASHVILLE: Intercepted two passes in the Bulldogs’ 38-14 victory over Fultondale in Class 4A, Region 6.
TYLER CHANEY, HIGHLAND HOME: Had two interceptions on defense as the unbeaten Flying Squadron ((7-0) moved to 4-0 in Class 2A, Region 3 with a 41-14 victory over Luverne.
ANDERSON MORGAN, HOKES BLUFF: Swiped two passes to spark the Eagles to s 28-0 shutout win over Plainview in 3A, Region 6.
DORION JACKSON, WETUMPKA: Helped preserve a 21-16 win over county rival Stanhope Elmore with an interception in the end zone on defense and four pass receptions on offense.
XANDER GAINES, PRICEVILLE: Scored touchdowns three different ways – a run, a pass reception and interception return – in a 55-10 win over St. John Paul II 0n Class 4A, Region 8.
DRUW SMITH, SCOTTSBORO: Recorded an interception, a forced fumble and a tackle for a loss in a 17-14 win over Guntersville in Class 5A, Region 7.
MARCUS HUDSON, SIPSEY VALLEY: Returned an interception 60 yards for one TD and teammate Wyatt Bailey scored on a 50-yard interception return in a 33-14 win over Montevallo in Class 4A, Region 3.
RUSHING
D.J. HARRIS, HOLTVILLE: Piled up 390 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in a 26-20 victory over Lee-Montgomery at Cramton Bowl. He had 275 yards rushing and 115 kick return yards in the Class 7A, Region 2 win.
MICAH CHRISTENSEN, LAUDERDLE COUNTY: Rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-12 victory over Phil Campbell in Class 3A, Region 8.
ANTHONY ROGERS, PIKE ROAD: Had 226 yards and four touchdowns on 10 rush attempts in a 52-8 Class 6A, Region 2 victory over Park Crossing.
TROY BRUCE, CENTER POINT: Piled up 225 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 13 carries and also caught a TD pass as the Eagles downed Shades Valley 36-20 in Class 6A, Region 6.
ELI FROST, FAIRVIEW: Ran for 212 yards on 12 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 42-14 win over Ardmore in Class 5A, Region 8.
KELDRIC BROWN, BRANTLEY: Gained 210 yards rushing on 15 carries and scored all six Brantley touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 40-0 win over Georgiana in Class 1A, Region 2.
AARON OLHAVA, STRAUGHN: Rushed 23 times for 204 yards and touchdowns of 80 and 46 yards for the Bulldogs (4-2) in a narrow 33-27 loss to unbeaten Houston Academy (6-0) in Class 3A, Region 3.
JOSH HESTER, GASTON: Rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in a 28-26 win over Holly Pond in Class 2A, Region 6.
NATHAN COLE, J.U. BLACKSHER: Ran 30 times for 220 yards and three touchdowns in a win 47-24 win over McKenzie. He also completed 1-of-3 pass attempts for 49 yards and had eight tackles on defense. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior has 967 rushing yards for the season and has topped 100 yards rushing in five games.
TACARIS BOZEMAN, SIDNEY LANIER: Rushed 20 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-14 win over Russell County in Class 6A, Region 2.
BROCK KILLEN, ROGERS: Ran for 185 yards and two touchdowns passed for two scores in a 41-21 win over Central-Florence in 4A, Region 7.
JORDAN WASHINGTON, HELENA: Had 21 carries for 180 yards and four touchdowns as the Huskies (6-1) beat Briarwood Christian 31-21 to improve to 3-1 in Class 6A, Region 3. His TD runs covered 1, 80, 5 and 4 yards.
A.J. GREEN, THOMPSON: Rushed for 175 yards on 15 carries to help the Warriors (5-2) nip Hewitt-Trussville 14-12 in Class 7A, Region 3.
EASTON SMITH, WEST LIMESTONE: Ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in a 34-26 win over Wilson in Class 4A, Region 7.
COSNER HARRISON, SAINT JAMES: Rushed for 171 yards and a TD on 23 carries as the Trojans beat Alabama Christian 35-20 in Class 3A, Region 3.
CHARLES NEAL, SOUTH LAMAR: Rushed 24 times for 168 yards and scored on a 4-yard run for the game’s only score as the Jaguars beat Sumiton Christian 7-0 in Class 1A, Region 5.
JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: Accounted for four touchdowns, three rushing and one passing, in the Rebels’ 52-10 Class 7A, Region 3 win over Chelsea/ He rushed for 140 yards on 13 carries and was 11-of-21 passing for 108 yards to finish with 248 total years.
T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Had 12 rush attempts for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-7 win over Hazel Green in 6A, Region 8.
JAKE GODFREY, SPANISH FORT: The senior quarterback scored four TDs on short runs as the Toros defeated St. Paul’s Episcopal 41-38 in three overtimes. His 1-yard score in the third OT was the game winner in the Class 6A, Region 1 clash.
PASSING
GIO LOPEZ, JAMES CLEMENS: Passed for 353 yards and a touchdown and had a pair of short TD runs in a 41-17 win over Sparkman to throw the Class 7A, Region race for the four playoff spots into a scramble heading into the final stretch of the season.
DAWSON BRADFORD, PIKE LIBERAL ARTS: Completed 14-of-21 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the Patriots’ 32-0 win over Danville.
COPELAND COTTON, EUFAULA: Was 23-of-35 passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ Class 5A, Region 2 win over Carroll.
JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: Passed for 320 yards and four touchdowns on 15-of 20 passing effort as the Vikings beat Davidson 38-14 in Class, Region 1. Mary Montgomery is averaging 30.0 points per game this season with 211 points in seven games – equaling their best season point total since 2016 – with a minimum of three regular-season games remaining.
BRYSON HUGHES, G.W. LONG: Led the Rebels to a 42-7 win over Zion Chapel in Class 2A, Region 2 with a 12-of-18 passing performances for 312 yards and four touchdowns.
COLE McCARTY, MOODY: Completed 18-of-23 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns as the undefeated Blue Devils (7-0) beat Springville 53-14 in Class 5A, Region 6 and increased their Class 5A-leading scoring pace to 48.4 point per game. The scoring average currently ranks fifth overall in the AHSAA behind Class 4A Montgomery Catholic (56.7), Class 2A Fyffe (50.5), Class 2A Vincent (49.4) and Class 4A Andalusia (49.0).
ANDREW HUNTER, RANDOLPH: Completed 10-of-19 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 77 yards and three TDs on seven carries in a 45-0 win over Madison County.
BRAX GARRISON, GORDO: Was 8-of-12 passing for 248 yards and four touchdowns as Gordo beat Carbon Hill 56-14 in Class 3A, Region 5.
DAVID McNEIL, CENTRAL-TUSCALOOSA: Was 14-of-29 passing for 240 yards and one TD with no interceptions in a 63-19 Class 6A, Region 4 loss to unbeaten Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.
OMARI BARROW, PIKE COUNTY: Threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns and added two touchdowns rushing in the Bulldogs’ 38-0 Class 3A, Region 2 win over New Brockton.
CARSON SUTE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Was 21-of-27 passing for 237 yards and five touchdowns in the Patriots’ 35-10 win over Dallas County in Class 4A, Region 3.
DREW PUCCIO, ARAB: Finished 9-of-10 for 224 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 48-7 win over Crossville in Class 5A, Area 7.
JOHN MICHAEL DOWNS, BIBB COUNTY: Completed 11-of-14 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns as the Choctaws beat Hale County 49-6 in 4A, Region 3.
TY’JARIAN WILLIAMS, ALICEVILLE: Hurled six touchdown passes on an 11-of-17 passing performance and totaled 219 yards as Aliceville beat Lamar County 48-21 in Class 2A, Region 5.
JAXON WILLIAMS, HEADLAND: Accounted for 313 yards and four touchdowns in the Rams’ 38-22 win over Greenville in Class 5A, Region 2. He was 9-of-18 passing for 180 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 123 yards and one TD.
LANDON JONES, BILLINGSLEY: Completed 11-of-16 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns and also made 10 tackles on defense in a 32-30 Class 1A, Region 4 win over Central-Hayneville.
CONNER MASTERS, HOKES BLUFF: Was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 193 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles Plainview in Class 3A, Region 6.
CAMERON RICHARDSON, PRATTVILLE: Fired four touchdown passes on a 15-of-19 passing performance and totaled 192 yards as the Lions beat Enterprise 42-26 in 7A, Region 2. He also rushed for 88 yards on five carries.
BLAKE ALUMS, VINCENT: Was 8-of-10 passing for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Jackets (6-1) beat Ranburne 54-21 in Class 2A, Region 4.
CLAYTON MAINS, PELHAM: Totaled 213 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-14 win over Calera in Class 6A, Region 3. He was 10-of-25 passing for 133 yards and two TDs and had 80 rushing yards and two scores on 13 carries.
PASS RECEIVING
HAYES HORNE, G.W. LONG: Pulled down five pass receptions for 198 yards with two touchdowns as the Rebels downed Zion Chapel 42-7 in Class 2A, Region 2.
ANTRON MITCHELL, EUFAULA: Caught eight passes for 187 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ 44-19 win over Carroll in Class 5A, Region 2.
JACKSON BOOTH, PIKE LIBERAL ARTS: Grabbed six passes for 174 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Patriots’ 32-0 win over Danville. He also had two interceptions and six tackles on defense.
OWEN LOCKETT, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Made four catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions’ 53-7 win over DAR.
KHALIL HUGHLEY, GADSDEN CITY: Grabbed five passes for 109 yards in the Titans’ 37-7 win over Hazel Green in Class 6A, Region 8.
CHANCE HENDERSON, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Caught six passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in ACA’s 35-10 Class 4A, Region 3 victory over Dallas County.
K.J. LAW, HOOVER: Caught 4 passes for 90 yards and a TD, adding 2 run-scoring carries for 87 yards as the Bucs beat Oak Mountain 40-0 in Class 7A, Region 3.
MOE FAIUPU, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Made the plays that mattered most in last week’s AHSAA TV Network Game of the Week to lead the Cardinals to a 49-41 Class 4A, Region 1 win over Orange Beach. He ran for 31 yards on 10 carries with four short TD runs covering 10, 4, 2 and 4 yards. He also caught four clutch passes for 79 yards to keep important drives alive St. Michael (4-3), coached by former NFL great Philip Rivers. The Makos (4-2) are coached by legendary head Jamey Dubose.
SPECIAL TEAMS
D.J. WILLIAMS, PIKE ROAD: Returned the opening kickoff 94 yards as the Patriots beat Park Crossing 52-8 in 6A, Region 2.
ZAMIR FARRIS, SPAIN PARK: Returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to pull the Jags to within three points, 31-28, with 3:11 left. However, Tuscaloosa County held on for 38-28 win.
T.K. BARNETT, MURPHY: Returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown to lead the Panthers to 47-20 victory over Robertsdale for Murphy’s first win of the season. He also passed for two TDs and ran for another in the Class 6A, Region 1 win.
MATT OWENS, FOLEY: Kicked a 23-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to lift the Lions past Fairhope 39-38 in Class 7A, Region 1.