Area football players scattered about AHSAA’s Spotlight for Weeks 9-10

Compiled by the AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – A playoff-bound running back had the game of his career, one quarterback became the state’s all-time total offense leader, a defensive lineman who moved to quarterback set the AHSAA single-game passing record, and a head coach recorded his 345th career win as the AHSAA member schools closed out the regular season with a bang.

All four share this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight – which combines weeks 9 and 10.

Running back Fluff Bothwell of Oneonta High School, a 6-foot, 211-pound junior, had 23 carries for 436 yards with six touchdowns in a 49-21 over Good Hope. Bothwell, coached by Phil Phillips, scored on runs of 1, 52, 61, 63, 39 and 85 yards on his way to the 11th-best total yards on the ground in AHSAA football history.

Piedmont senior quarterback Jack Hayes, who was named to the North All-Star team set to play in the 64th North-South All-Star Game at Mobile in December, became the AHSAA’s all-time leading passer as the defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs (8-2) beat Sylacauga 41-20. He had 470 total yards and accounted for six TDs (300 yards and 4 TDs passing, 170 yards and 2 TDs rushing). In the process, he became the first player in AHSAA history to account for more than 200 touchdowns in his career (a state-record 151 career TD passes, 50 rushing TDs and 201 total). His 470 total yards pushed him past Lanett’s Kristian Story (2016-19) to become the all-time total offense leader.

Hayes, who currently ranks fourth in career passing yardage (10.200), now ranks first with 13,500 career total yards. Story finished his prep career with 13,218. 

Southside-Selma defensive lineman Roosevelt Towns was converted from blocker to quarterback this season by Coach Charles Moody. Last Friday, he completed 17-of-23 passes for 567 yards and threw five TD passes as the Class 3A Panthers (6-4) beat rival Dallas County 56-35. Receiver Erick Smith hauled in six of the completions for 305 yards and three touchdowns. The 565 yards rank second all-time in the AHSAA behind another Southside-Selma quarterback Christopher Thomas, who completed 20-of-28 passes for 575 yards and four TDs in a 44-16 win over Selma in 2021. Thomas graduated last spring.

UMS-Wright head football coach Terry Curtis registered his 346th career coaching victory the old-fashioned way – with some big-play defense – as the Class 5A Bulldogs closed out a perfect 10-0 regular season with a 17-8 win over Williamson.

Joe Lott led the defense with a blocked punt that led to a TD and caught a touchdown pass on the last play of the half. With the win, Curtis is now tied with retired Vestavia Hills head football coach Buddy Anderson (346-160) for most football coaching win in the AHSAA. Curtis, in his 34th season as a head coach, owns a 346-92 coaching record and eight state championships. Anderson compiled a 346-160 record over 43 seasons from 1978-2020 – all at Vestavia.

Curtis has guided UMS-Wright to seven 10-0 regular seasons since taking over the program in 1999. He can become the all-time leader this week if the Bulldogs can get by Headland in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

MILESTONES
MASON MIMS, OXFORD: Completed 14-of-22 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown and running back Damious Wilson picked up 200 yards rushing and three TDs on 26 carries as Oxford captured the 600th win in school history with a 34-13 win over Jacksonville. The Yellow Jackets of Coach Sam Adams are the 36th high school in the AHSAA to reach that lofty win total and the second in Calhoun County. “It feels great,” Adams said of the milestone. “I haven’t been here for most of those 600 wins, but this is a special place. It says a lot about the tradition of this program and the value this community puts on high school football.”

Several AHSAA schools reached that milestone this season, including Elba, Auburn, Opelika, Winfield, Lanett, and Andalusia. Alexandria (624), which ranks 22nd all time, is the only other Calhoun County team to reach this special milestone in the AHSAA.

BLAINE BURKE, MOODY: The junior ran 234 yards on 22 carries as the Blue Devils beat Southside-Gadsden 35-13 in Class 5A, Region 6. The Blue Devils rushed for 381 yards and passed for 125 to finish with 506 yards as Moody closed out the regular season 9-1 for the first time in school history.

MASON CARTEE, PRICEVILLE: Ran for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries and caught a 47-yard TD pass in a 35-21 win over Randolph in a battle of unbeatens to claim the Class 4A, Region 8 title.

CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Was 15-of-21 passing for 376 yards, three touchdowns and added another rushing TD as the Knights (10-0) clinched the Class 4A, Region 2 crown with 45-23 win over Andalusia (9-1). Running back Jeremiah Cobb showed his pass-catching ability in the win with seven catches for 203 yards and one TD. He also rushed 14 times for 382 yards – giving him 285 total yards on the night.

COPELAND COTTON, EUFAULA: Passed for 418 yards and four touchdowns with a 28-of-50 passing performance to lead the Tigers to a 31-28 win over No. 1-ranked Division II Early County (GA). The Tigers trailed 28-3 in the fourth quarter before Cotton rallied his team to the win with four TD passes, the last coming on the game’s final play to Yhonzae Pierre for the victory.

DRAKE FRANKLIN, ARAB: Rushed 22 times for 167 yards and one TD and quarterback Aidan Cox was 12-of-16 passing for 156 yards and three scores as the Knights won the school’s first region football title in school history with a 34-20 win over Guntersville. The nine wins in the regular season were also the first since 1993 – when Arab won the area title and finished 9-2 overall. The victory also snapped an 11-game winning streak by Guntersville over Arab in the series. Guntersville is 61-31-2 all time in the series which was first played 100 years ago in 1922.

KORBYN PITTS, BOAZ: The senior had two interceptions in the Pirates’ win over Douglas to become his school’s career interceptions leader with 10.

RUSHING
TERRY DAVIS, OPP: Ran for 311 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries in Opp’s 38-14 win over Straughn. Davis TD runs were 72, 94, 6 and 10 yards.

TYLER NELSON, GARDENDALE: The senior rushed for 303 yards on 24 attempts and scored all 4 touchdowns in the Rockets’ 29-28 win at Mountain Brook to earn the Class 6A, Region 5 title. Nelson also scored the game-winning 2-point conversion with 19 seconds left in the game.

SANTAE McWILLIAMS, SARALAND: The sophomore rushed 24 times for 262 yards and 2 second-half touchdowns as the Spartans beat McGill-Toolen 48-31.

EIAN BAIN, VALLEY HEAD: Ran for 253 yards on 21 carries with four touchdowns (14, 16, 38 and 39 yards). He also completed a pair of passes for 46 yards and a 35-yard touchdown in the Tigers’ 57-30 win over Gaylesville in Class 1A, Region 7.

DESHUNE WILLIAMS, BLOUNT: In a losing effort, Williams still rushed for 241 yards and three touchdowns in a 6A, Region 1 loss to McGill-Toolen Catholic. He scored on runs of 51, 42 and 1 yard.

RAYMON BLACKMON, DOTHAN: Rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning 57-yard score with 2:14 left, and added a game-ending interception at the goal line during the Wolves’ 14-7 win over Opelika in week 9.

D.J. BUTLER, DAVIDSON: Rushed for 236 yards and 3 TDs as the Warriors defeated Alma Bryant 28-7 in Class 7A, Region 1.

BRAYDEN JENKINS, THEODORE: Had 213 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 38 carries to lead the Bobcats past Saraland 27-26 to clinch the Class 6A, Region 1 crown.

HUNTER JENKINS, CEDAR BLUFF: Rushed for 203 yards on 20 carries with scoring runs of 75 and 50 yards in 34-0 win over Donoho to clinch a playoff berth in Class 1A, Region 7.

EARL WOODS, HUEYTOWN: Ran 20 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns and completed 7-of-13 passes for 105 yards and a score in a 35-21 win over Gardendale.

JAYLEN MURRY, WICKSBURG: Rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in the Panthers’ 42-35 loss to G.W. Long.

KEYLON HIGGINS, GAYLESVILLE: Ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries and caught a touchdown pass in leading the Trojans to a 54-14 win at Talladega County Central. Higgins had 43 receiving yards and made five tackles with a fumble recovery on defense.

JULYON JORDAN, GUNTERSVILLE: Ran for 194 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-0 Class 5A, Region 7 win over Sardis.

JALEN FLETCHER, WEST MORGAN: Piled up 181 yards rushing and three touchdowns and returned an interception for a TD in a 61-0 win over Wilson in Class 4A, Region 7.

JABARI COLLIER, CENTER POINT: The senior ran for 180 yards, with three touchdowns covering 5, 73 and 75 yards in a 41-24 win over Oxford in Class 6A, Region 6. He also completed 10-of-14 passes for 124 yards and a pair of TDs.

CARLIN LONG, HUNTSVILLE: Ran for 183 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries in a 63-7 win over Hazel Green.

TYLER ELLIS, TALLASSEE: Had 174 rushing yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns, and teammate Dontae “DJ” Leonard added 163 on 15 rushes as Tallassee beat Holtville 35-7. Leonard scored on a 67-yard scamper. The Tigers had 405 yards rushing on the night.

HUNTER ROBINSON, VALLEY HEAD: Tallied 166 yards on 16 carries with two scores (1 and 25 yards). He also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the Tigers’ 57-30 win at Gaylesville.

JACOB CORNEJO, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Led the Warriors with 163 yards rushing on 15 carries and three touchdowns in a 40-0 victory over Ashville in Class 4A, Region 6. Teammate Tae Diamond also had 104 yards on eight carries with one TD.

KEELAN ALVAREZ, SCOTTSBORO: Ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns in a 54-7 win over Crossville in Class 5A, Region 7.

RONNIE ROYAL, GULF SHORES: Had 11 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown, three receptions for 42 yards and 33 return yards to account for 210 yards to lead the Dolphins past Vigor in Class 5A, Region 1. He also intercepted a pass on defense.

PASSING
BRYSON HUGHES, G.W. LONG: Was 13-of-20 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in G.W. Long’s 42-35 win over Wicksburg.

JAXON WILLIAMS, HEADLAND: Connected on 19-of-26 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams’ 34-14 win over New Brockton.

WOODS RAY, HOMEWOOD: The senior QB connected on 22-of-28 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-10 win over Briarwood in Class 6A, Region 3. He had 240 yards passing in the first half. He followed week 10 with 262 yards passing and five TDs in a 48-20 win over Jasper to push his season total to 2,003 yards.

JACKS McCLUNG, HUNTSVILLE: Was 23-of-34 passing for 295 yards and three touchdowns and scored on two short TD runs in a 45-31 win over No. 1 seed Austin in Class 7A, Region 4 to clinch the No. 3 seed and a spot in the state playoffs.

GIO LOPEZ, JAMES CLEMENS: Was 13-of-24 passing for 290 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-27 Class 7A, Region 4 win over Grissom.

MATTHEW COLEMAN, HALEYVILLE: Finished 18-for-25 passing with 292 yards and five touchdowns. He threw a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime and also rushed for another score as the Lions beat Corner 49-42.

KEASEAN PRYOR, DORA: The junior quarterback had 12 carries for 246 yards – with an 82-yard run – and 2 touchdowns in a 34-14 win over St. Clair County. He also completed 10-of-14 throws for 154 yards and a pair of TDs for 400 total yards on the night.

JOHN COLVIN, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Passed for 311 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Baker. The senior threw for 232 yards in the first half.

CODY HEADRICK, CORDOVA: The senior completed 13-of-17 passes for 210 yards and 3 TDs and added 64 yards on 5 rushing attempts in a 41-18 win over Carver-Birmingham.

CARSON McFADDEN, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: The junior quarterback had 396 total yards with 193 yards rushing and 2 TDs on 26 carries and 203 yards passing as the Cavs downed Maplesville 28-12.

CADEN CREEL, FAIRHOPE: Outdueled Clemson commit Christopher Vizzina, completing a nearly perfect 28-of-30 passes for 179 yards and 2 TDs in a 44-22 win over Briarwood Christian. He also rushed for 152 yards and a score on 22 carries. Zizzina passed for 312 yards and two TDs for the Lions.

MASON McATEER, COLLINSVILLE: Completed 5-of-8 pass attempts for 215 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers in the Panthers’
27-22 win which handed Valley Head (9-1) its first loss of the season.

REECE TYNES, FOLEY: Was 21-of-34 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns as the Lions downed Jackson-Olin 28-12.

BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Passed for 260 yards and four touchdowns on a 30-of-38 performance and ran for 91 yards and two TDs on seven carries in a 46-14 win over New Hope in Class 4A, Region 8. He had 9,829 career passing yards after the Week 9 win.

BLAKE ALLUMS, VINCENT: Accounted for 341 total yards and five touchdowns in a 43-8 win over Thorsby Class 2A, Region 4. He was 10-of-14 passing for 269 yards and three scores and rushed for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

TYLER PIERCE, BOAZ: Passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns in the Pirates 21-20 come-from-behind win over Lee-Huntsville. He tossed his touchdown passes of 45 yards to Ty Sullivan and 44 yards to Presley Fant, and also led the team in rushing with 79 yards on 11 carries.

JAYDEN PARKS, BRANTLEY: Was 12-of-18 passing for 265 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-16 win over Red Level.

HARRISON HICKS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Was 22-of-32 passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the Knights’ 31-28 win over Ashford.

JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: The junior threw for five touchdowns on an 11-of-16 passing quarterback threw 5 touchdown passes, completing 11-of-16 passes for 249 yards, as the Rebels clinched a playoff berth with a 45-10 win over Tuscaloosa County. He also led the Rebels with 104 yards rushing on 12 carries, including a 63-yard score.

JOHN DAVID JUSTUS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Was 9-of-12 passing for 238 yards and three touchdowns in the Conquerors’ 46-6 victory over Woodville.

JAKE COCHRAN, EAST LIMESTONE: Completed 12-of-14 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-22 Class 5A, Region 8 win over Ardmore.

DAYLON EDMUNDS, MILLRY: Completed 10-of-13 passes for 206 yards and 4 TDs as the Wildcats beat Leroy to win the Class 2A, Region 1 title. He also rushed for 63 yards on 17 carries.

CARSON CREEHAN, MADISON ACADEMY: Completed 10-of-16 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-7 win over Susan Moore in Class 3A, Region 7.

OMARI BARROW, PIKE COUNTY: Passed for 200 yards and five touchdowns on 9-of-15 passing in the Bulldogs’ 63-6 win over Daleville.

JACK SMITH, HARTSELLE: Completed 6-of-10 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 63 yards and a TD in a 38-31 win over Bob Jones as t the Class 6A Tigers finished 10-0 in the regular season for the second year in a row and the third time in the last five years.

JOSH FLOWERS, BAKER: Passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards and a third score as the Hornets beat Fairhope to clinch a playoff berth in Class 7A, Region 1.

ACE ASHLEY, SAND ROCK: Finished 15-of-23 passing for 175 yards and three touchdowns (16, 24 and 16 yards) in the Wildcats’ 33-0 season-ending victory over Whitesburg Christian.

AIDAN COX, ARAB: Completed 12-of-16 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a 1-yard run to lead the Knights to a 49-21 win over Hazel Green.

CHAPEL POPE, SPRING GARDEN: Passed for four touchdowns on 4-of-8 passing effort in the Panthers’ 47-21 win at Ragland to clinch the Class 1A, Region 6 crown.

PASS RECEIVING
JAMARI McCLURE, GOSHEN: Accounted for 288 yards rushing and receiving with three touchdowns in a 58-32 win over Horseshoe Bend. McClure rushed for 157 yards and two TDs and caught two passes for 131 yards and one TD.

ANTRON MITCHELL, EUFAULA: Caught nine passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns in Eufaula’s 31-28 comeback win over Early County (GA).

JON BUSH, BRANTLEY: Caught six passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ victory over Red Level.

IAN FOSTER, PIKE COUNTY: Hauled in six passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns and added two interceptions on defense, returning one for a 75-yard touchdown, in the Bulldogs’ 63-6 win over Daleville.

COLIN BLACKWELL, NORTHRIDE METHODIST: Grabbed 11 pass receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 win over Ashford.

CLYDE CURRY, GADSDEN CITY: Had six receptions for 125 yards in the Titans’ 24-20 victory over Calera.

JAKIRRE REDDING, G.W. LONG: Caught four passes for 106 yards with one touchdown and also returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown in a 42-35 win over Wicksburg.

BRAXTON HANEY, SPRING GARDEN: Had two catches for 82 yards, both for touchdowns (68 and 14 yards), in the Panthers’ 47-21 win at Ragland in Class 1A, Region 6.

DEFENSE
BENNETT BLANKS, FORT PAYNE: Recorded 10 tackles, including one sack, on defense, rushed for a pair of touchdowns, caught a 17-yard TD passing a 35-16 win over Cherokee County.

NELSON HALL, OPP: Totaled 13 tackles, , a quarterback sack and a caused fumble in the Bobcats’ 38-14 win over Straughn.

BRAYLEN CLEMENTS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Had 10 tackles and had two interceptions in the Knights’ 31-28 win over Ashford.

CLETE O’BRYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN: The sophomore linebacker finished with 11 tackles (including five for a loss), an interception and a fumble recovery in the Conquerors’ 46-6 victory over Woodville.

CHARLIE ADAMS, MONTEVALLO: The junior recorded 10 tackles with 2 sacks in the Bulldogs’ 21-14 win over Tarrant.

KADEN PACK, CEDR BLUFF: Made an impact on defense with two interceptions in the Tigers’ 34-0 victory at Donoho. He also threw a 24-yard fourth-down touchdown pass to Aden Green for the only score of the first half.

ISAIAH WARNICK, FALKVILLE: Recorded four touchdowns – including an interception returned for a Pick 6, rushed for another TD, and caught two touchdown passes in a 55-14 Class 2A, Region 8 win over Tharptown. He finished with two interceptions. He also had two picks in a 30-20 win over Winston County week 10.

WILL JAMES, THEODORE: In just his second game back from a collar bone injury, James returned an interception 16 yards for a TD to help the Bobcats beat St. Paul’s 17-3 and complete a 10-0 regular season.

JACKSON VEASY, GADSDEN CITY: Finished with nine tackles, including three for a loss, and three sacks in the Titans’ 24-20 victory over Calera.

TANNER EADS, GAYLESVILLE: Had a fumble recovery and interception on defense and was 7-of-11 passing for 156 yards and three TDs on offense in a 57-30 loss to Valley Head.

SPECIAL TEAMS
LOGAN HAMPTON, CEDAR BLUFF: Blocked a Donoho punt and recovered the ball for a touchdown in the Tigers’ 34-0 victory that earned Cedar Bluff a playoff berth in Class 1A.

TONI TOWNSEND, WEST MORGAN: Blocked a punt on special teams and ran for a pair of touchdowns on offense as the Rebels beat Haleyville 33-38.

KYLER BRADLEY, GAYLESVILLE: Returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 114 yards and three scores (38, 16 and 49 yards) in the Trojans’ 57-30 loss to Valley Head.

AIDEN WHITE, ENTERPRISE: Combined for 220 yards passing and rushing and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 33-14 win over Jeff Davis. White rushed for 140 yards and two scores on 10 carries and completed 11-of-17 for 80 yards and a touchdown.

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