The AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – Cherokee County High School senior Jack Amos did everything he could to help his team have a shot at the Class 4A, Region 6 championship on Friday.
Amos accumulated 193 yards on 18 carries and scored four touchdowns (7, 11, 20 and 53 yards). He also had two interceptions on defense, including one he returned for a 58-yard score, in the Warriors’ 45-42 victory over Etowah.
It wasn’t just Amos that had a big night for the Warriors (7-1, 4-1). Backfield teammate Jacob Cornejo added 127 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He also made 17 stops on defense.
Kicker Will Frampton booted what turned out to be the winning field goal when he connected on a 28-yarder with 1:51 remaining. He was also 6-for-6 on extra points.
All three Warriors earned Spotlight recognition from the Alabama High School Athletic Association on Wednesday morning, along with several other of the area’s top performers from Week 8.
At Gaylesville, Keylon Higgins ran for 281 yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 24-14 win over Decatur Heritage. It was also a special night for the Knapp family as Gaylesville named its field in honor of 2012 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame and 2005 Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Roy Knapp.
Knapp coached for 29 seasons, compiling a 146-121-2 record. He served as Gaylesville’s head coach from 1956-60 and compiled a 15-21-2 record there. He is the grandfather of current head coach Brian Knapp.
At Whitesburg Christian, Collinsville kicker Luis Ailon nailed a 27-yard field goal with a second remaining, lifting the Panthers to a 44-42 victory.
Keaton DeBoard ran for 232 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, and Gavin Lang caught four passes for 128 yards and three scores in the Collinsville win. Lang also had an interception on defense to stop a Whitesburg Christian drive at the 10-yard line in the third quarter.
At Spring Garden, Chapel Pope posted 196 yards rushing on 13 carries with two touchdowns. He also threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to John Welsh for another score in the Panthers’ 43-14 win over Donoho.
Welsh also had 121 yards on seven carries with three touchdowns and recovered a fumble on defense.
At Piedmont, Jack Hayes gained 201 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. He was also 15-of-23 passing for 150 yards and another score in the Bulldogs’ 42-16 homecoming win over Geraldine.
And at Ider, Sand Rock’s Ace Ashley completed 21-of-30 pass attempts for 254 yards and six touchdowns, and Everett DeBoard finished with five catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns. DeBoard also had an interception on defense in the Wildcats’ 40-20 victory.
In other statewide performances, Fairview’s Eli Frost edged out three strong performances by Elba’s Alvin Henderson, Valley Head’s Eian Bain and Meek’s Cameron Deaver to claim the AHSAA Football Spotlight.
Frost, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior who also plays linebacker for the Aggies of Coach George Redding Jr., is the state’s current leading rusher this season. He went over 300 yards for the third consecutive game last week gaining 330 yards and scoring five touchdowns on 35 carries as Fairview (7-1) beat Lawrence County 51-30 in Class 5A, Region 8.
Frost upped his season rushing total to 2,254 yards on 195 carries and has rushed for a state-leading 38 touchdowns in just eight games.
Fairview improved to 5-0 in region play and faces Russellville (5-3), also 5-0, this week to decide the region champion.
Frost had 381 yards and seven TDs in a 55-13 win over Brewer two weeks ago and gained 324 yards with five scores the week before as Fairview beat Ardmore 42-12. He has rushed for 300 or more yards five times this season and has scored four or more TDs in each of the Aggies’ eight games. He had a career-long 94-yard TD run versus Good Hope earlier this season.
Henderson, a 5-10, 180-pound sophomore, rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns on just seven carries – 32.9 yards per carry – in the Tigers’ 55-27 win over Florala in Class 1A, Region 2. Elba (8-0) totaled 452 yards on the night with just 17 offensive snaps.
Henderson’s four TDs covered 54, 2, 71 and 65 yards – 192 of the team’s total yards or 42% of the total. On the year Henderson has run for 1,981 yards and 33 TDs on 142 carries – 13.9 yards per carry.
Bain, a 5-7, 160-pound senior, also went over 2,000 yards rushing on the season last week with 197 yards on just five carries to lead the Tigers (8-0) past Woodville 60-8 in Class 1A, Region 7. He has 264 rush attempts this season for 2,009 yards and 23 TDs in seven games. His 39.4 yards-per-carry average last week was his second-best effort of the season.
Earlier in a win over Ider, Bain had four carries for 202 yards and four TDs – and a 53.0-yard average – which ranks third behind Pike County’s Derrick Myhand and George Payne of St. Luke’s Episcopal who are tied for the state record (53.4). Myhand had five carries for 267 yards against Opp in 2018 to equal Payne’s record-setting total in s victory over Cottage Hill Christian in 2012.
Meek’s Deaver came close to that record last week as well. The junior running back gained 153 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns on just three carries in the Tigers’ 54-0 Class 1A, Region 8 win over Vina. He has rushed for 1,635 yards and 23 touchdowns this season on 186 carries – and over the last two games has gained 333 yards and scored five touchdowns on just seven total rush attempts, a 47.6 yards-per-carry average, for unbeaten Meek (8-0).
MILESTONES
JACK FRENCH, FAITH ACADEMY: Notched the 300th win of his high school football coaching career when Faith Academy beat Vigor 30-6 on Sept. 30. French, who spent the first 25 years coaching in Mississippi, now has a 302-134-2 record in 39 seasons. He compiled a 196-85 record in Mississippi with multiple state titles and is now 106-49 in the AHSAA with stops at Baldwin County, Clarke County, Baker, and Faith Academy. His Rams are currently 7-1 this season and will face UMS-Wright (8-0) Friday night with the Class 5A, Region 1 title on the line.
A win by Faith and a win by Gulf Shores versus Vigor could land UMS-Wright, Faith, and Gulf Shores in a three-way tie for first place. French has had had the knack of taking over struggling programs and turning them into consistent winners.
When he arrived at Baker in 2011, the Hornets were 27-173 under the six previous coaches, and in four seasons he led them to a 27-15 record and two trips to the state playoffs. At Faith, he inherited a program that was 23-66 since joining the AHSAA. Now in his fifth season, French’s Rams have won 43 games already and have made the state playoffs in each of the four previous seasons.
UMS Coach Terry Curtis, the AHSAA’s winningest active coach with a 344-92 record, is currently in his 34th season as a head coach and is just two wins behind all-time AHSAA leader Buddy Anderson of Vestavia Hills (346-160). Central of Clay County Coach Danny Horn ranks third overall and is second on the active coaching list, is close behind with at 338-95. Paul Benefield of Fyffe (220-55) ranks third on the active list and fourth overall.
LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: The freshman quarterback ran a keeper up the middle for 99 yards and the final touchdown in the Aggies’ 28-6 Class 4A, Region 1 victory over St. Michael Catholic.
T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Rushed for 122 yards on four carries for a 30.5 yards-per-carry average in the Titans’ 55-0 victory over Lee-Huntsville in Class 6A, Region 8 as the Titans won the region crown. It was the first region title for Gadsden City since 2014.
DRAKE FRANKLIN, ARAB: The senior workhorse had 28 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns to lead Arab toa 34-20 win over Guntersville to clinch the Class 5A, Region 7 crown. It marked the first region or area crown in 30 years. The last one came when the teams were still competing in area play in 1993.
Other top performances reported include:
RUSHING
ANDY OLHAVA, STRAUGHN: Piled up 312 yards on 13 rush attempts and scored four touchdowns as Straughn beat Northside Methodist 44-14 in Class 3A, Region 2.
ANTONIO ROSS, ALEXANDRIA: and 24 carries for 291 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Valley Cubs past Southside-Gadsden 54-47 in Class 5A, Region 6.
D.J. BUTLER, DAVIDSON: Rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns in a 43-41 loss to Foley in Class 7A, Region 1. He had a hand in all six scores for the Warriors with one receiving and one passing and had 304 yards total offense.
JACORI BARNES, VIGOR: Picked up 236 yards and four touchdowns on 17 rush attempts to lead the Wolves past Elberta 42-0 in Class 5A, Region 1.
ISAIAH HUTCHERSON, GENEVA COUNTY: Totaled 224 yards rushing on 13 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs past Zion Chapel 52-19 in Class 2A, Region 2.
COLE GAMBLE, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Had 222 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 17 carries as the Spartans beat Mortimer Jordan 6-14 in Class 6A, Region 5.
JAI MOSTELLA, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in the Conquerors’ 42-6 victory over Appalachian in Class 1A, Region 7.
JEB DAUGHTRY, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Finished with 211 yards rushing on 26 carries with one touchdown on offense and added seven tackles with one tackle for a loss on defense in the Raiders’ 42-7 win over Opp to clinch a playoff berth in Class 3A, Region 2.
BRAYDEN HARDY, REHOBETH: Led the Rebels with 206 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries, including scoring runs of 59 and 5 yards in the first half, as Rehobeth fell 25-28 to Eufaula in Class 5A, Region 2.
TRISTAN CHILDERS, BOAZ: Ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 26 rush attempts as the Pirates beat Sardis 51-16 in Class 5A, Region 7. He scored on runs of 39, 2 and 5 yards.
TAIT MOORE, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Had 204 total yards and five touchdowns as Bayside downed Escambia County 66-48.
KYREE SHAKUR, CHICKASAW: Rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries as Chickasaw beat 42-28 in Class 2A, Region 1. He also had 8 tackles on defense.
JAKHAEL ROWSER, HUEYTOWN: Had 194 yards rushing and 235 all-purpose yards to spark the Gophers to a 41-23 victory over Northridge in Class 6A, Region 3. He scored two TDs.
FLUFF BOTHWELL, ONEONTA: Had 17 rush attempts for 180 yards and touchdowns and caught four passes for 83 yards – all in the first half – to lead the Redkins past Ashville 34-21 in Class 4A, Region 6.
MASON CARTEE, PRICEVILLE: Ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries to lead the Bulldogs (9-0) to a 72-45 win over Westminster Christian in 4A, Region 8 to set up a showdown with Randolph this week for the region title. Both teams at 6-0 in region play. Teammate Jaylen Mosely also rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns in win.
AYLON McMILLIAN, EXCEL: Rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries as Excel (8-0) beat Hillcrest-Evergreen 34-14 improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in Class 3A, Region 1. He averaged 11.75 yards per carry.
DAYLON EDMUNDS, MILLRY: Accounted for five touchdowns as Millry beat McIntosh 56-6. He scored on runs of 9, 22 and 20 yards and threw touchdown passes of 38 and 6 yards in the win.
PASSING
TRACE THOMPSON, ETOWAH: Completed 24-of-37 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ 45-42 Class 4A, Region 6 loss to Cherokee County. Thompson added 41 yards rushing and a fifth TD on eight carries to finish with 419 total yards.
GAUGE NESMITH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Had 409 total yards and accounted for five touchdowns in the Panthers’ 54-47 loss to Alexandria in Class 5A, Region 6. He was 13-of-21 passing for 269 yards and four touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 140 yards and a TD.
ANDYN GARRIS, ARITON: Passed for 306 yards and five touchdowns in the Purple Cats’ 49-35 win over Wicksburg in Class 2A, Region 2. He also kicked 7-of-7 extra points in the win.
ANDREW HUNTER, RANDOLPH: The AHSAA’s current passing leader this season was 15-of-20 for 291 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Raiders (8-1) past New Hope 52-12 – setting up this week’s game with Priceville to decide the Class 4A, Region 8 crown. He is 141-of-208 passing this season for 2,508 yards and 32 touchdowns with just two interception and a 71.2% completion rate.
COPELAND COTTON, EUFAULA: Passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns in Eufaula’s come-from-behind 35-28 win over Rehobeth in Class 5A, Region 2. The Tigers trailed 20-7 late in the first half but scored four straight touchdowns with Cotton connecting with Browning Anderson and Lekeveyunate Pugh to seal the win.
JAXSON WILLIAMS, HEADLAND: Combined for 299 yards passing and rushing and accounted for both score for the Rams in a 31-13 loss to Charles Henderson in 5A, Region 2. Williams rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns and was 14-of-20 for 172 yards.
PRESTON LANCASTER, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: Passed for 253 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-20 win over Sulligent in Class 2A, Region 5 to clinch a playoff berth for the Knights in their first season in the AHSAA.
LANDON KELLER, NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN: Completed 8-of-12 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-14 win over Section IN Class 2A, Region 7
LANDON JONES, BILLINGSLEY: Was 13-of-19 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 28-14 win over Notasulga in 1A, Region 4.
BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Passed for 200 yards and a touchdown on a 19-of-29 passing performance and added 188 yards rushing and five touchdowns in a 72-45 loss to Priceville in Class 4A, Region 8.
JACK SMITH, HARTSELLE: Completed 7-of-15 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for three scores as the Tigers (9-0) beat Decatur 41-14 to claim the Class 6A, Region 7 championship.
JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: Was 14-of-21 passing for 151 yards and a TD passing, added 17 rushes for 142 yards and four TDs to lead the Rebels past Oak Mountain 42-21 in Class 7A, Region 3.
WALKER McCLINTON, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 48-7 victory over Prattville Christian.
PASS RECEIVING
LUKE KILGORE, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: Had seven catches for 193 yards and three touchdowns as Tuscaloosa Academy beat Sulligent in Class 2A, Region 5.
THOMAS HARMON, WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN: Caught 12 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-42 loss to Collinsville in Class 2A, Region 7.
NIC STRONG, RANDOLPH: Hauled in seven passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns as the Raiders downed New Hope 52-12 in Class 4A, Region 8.
HARRISON KNIGHT, FOLEY: Totaled 11 receptions for 176 yards and three TDs as Foley outlasted Davidson 43-41 in Class 7A, Region 1.
ALEX MASON, EAST LIMESTONE: Caught nine passes for 170 yards and one TD and one score and rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries as East Limestone beat West Point 35-20 in Class 5A, Region 8.
OMAREON FINCH, ETOWAH: Led the Blue Devils with 10 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-42 Class 4A, Region 6 loss to Cherokee County. Teammate Jameson Scissum caught four passes for 113 yards and a TD.
JOHN SCOTT, TARRANT: Had four receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns, a 51-yard punt return for a TD on offense, and had an interception, forced fumble and three pass breakups as the Wildcats beat Sumiton Christian 35-30. Scott, who suffered a pre-season injury, was playing in his first game this season.
BRYCE DOWDLAN, LEFLORE: Had five catches for 126 yards with TDs of 41 and 35 yards in a 41-23 loss to BC. Rain in Class 5A, Region 1.
IAN SENN, ARITON: Caught six passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns and added a 1-yard touchdown run in the Purple Cats’ 49-35 over Wicksburg to clinch the Class 2A, Region 2 title. He also averaged 40.5 yards on two punts.
JAMES BOLTON, MARY MONTGOMERY: Caught five passe for 102 yards as the Vikings downed Daphne 14-9 in Class 7A, Region 1.
DEFENSE
CALEB PATTERSON, RAMSAY: For the second week in a row, the Rams’ star linebacker stripped a player of the ball and returned the fumble for a touchdown. Teammate James Jones also scored on a 44-yard fumble return in the 49-0 Class 5A, Region 5 triumph over Hayden.
SEAN WILLIAMS, SPARKMAN: Returned interceptions 36 and 70 yards for touchdowns in a 55-14 win over Huntsville in Class 7A, Region 4.
BLAKE PETERSON, NEW BROCKTON: Recorded 16 tackles in a 32-13 loss to Cottonwood in 2A, Region 2.
RICKY NICHOLS, B.C. RAIN: Managed 15 tackles, including three for losses and one quarterback sack, to lead the Red Raiders past LeFlore 41-23 in Class 5A, Region 1. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
NELSON HALL, OPP: Led the Bobcats with 14 tackles and a quarterback sack in a 42-7 loss to Houston Academy in 3A, Region 2.
MADDOX BURKHARDT, WICKSBURG: Managed 14 tackles in the Panthers’ 49-35 loss to Ariton 2A, Region 2.
MARZAIOUS REED, ENTERPRISE: Had 15 tackles, one pass break-up and two quarterback pressures to lead the Wildcats defense as Enterprise beat Opelika 22-14 in Class 7A, Region 2. Enterprise teammates J.T. Hooten and Fred Vili also had big games with 14 and 11 tackle each.
CLAY BARR, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Recorded 13 tackles, including two for a loss and three sacks, in the Cardinals’ 28-6 loss to Jackson in class 4A, Region 1.
KARMELLO OVERTON, CARROLL: Totaled 12 tackles, including a quarterback sack, and had four quarterback hurries in the Eagles’ 41-0 win over Greenville in Class 5A, Region 2.
CONNER COOK, HEADLAND: Led the Rams’ defense with 12 tackles in a 31-13 loss to Charles Henderson in Class 5A, Region 2.
GARRISON HOLLY, JACKSON: Scored a TD on short 1-yard run and then put the Aggies ahead for good with a 45-yard interception return for a defensive score as Jackson Beat St. Michael Catholic 28-6 in Class 4, Region 1.
ARCH LEE, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: His 12 tackles and pass interception led a strong Eagles defensive effort as Montgomery Academy downed Slocomb 34-0 in Class 4A, Region 2.
C.J. McNABB, ARITON: Had 11 tackles with one stop for a loss in the Purple Cats’ 49-35 win over Wicksburg in 2A, Region 2.
DRAKE ALBURY, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The Conquerors’ linebacker had 10 tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks in a 42-6 victory over Appalachian in Class 1A, Region 7.
BRYCE DOWDLAN, B.C. RAIN: Helped keep his team’s playoff hopes alive in Class 5A, Region 1 sealing a 41-23 win over LeFlore with a 65-yard fumble return for his final score of the night in the Class 5A, Region 1 battle at Mobile. He had three touchdowns on the night – bulling into the end zone on two 4-yard scoring runs.
NATHAN GILMORE, BILLINGSLEY: Recorded 10 tackles on defense and caught five passes on offense as the Bears downed Notasulga 28-14 in Class 1A, Region 4.
A.J. CARREON, MARBURY: Made two interceptions on defense to lead Marbury past Shelby County 35-14 in Class 5A, Region 3.
SPECIAL TEAMS
NIC FLOYD, EUFAULA: Returned a kickoff 60 yards for a momentum-changing touchdown as the Tigers rallied from a 20-7 deficit to beat Rehobeth 35-28 in 5A, Region 2. He sealed the victory with an interception at midfield on the last series of the game.
JACKSON MANN, ELMORE COUNTY: Recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown to help the Panthers beat Valley 17-13 in Class 5A, Region 4.