The AHSAA
Cedar Bluff senior defensive back Eli McFry provided the Tigers when they needed a spark late in the first half at Sand Rock on Friday night. It was his 20-yard interception return for a touchdown that tied the game at 7. He later added another pick in the fourth quarter that led to another Cedar Bluff score in a 28-7 victory, which was Garrett Crane’s first as Tiger head coach.
McFry, along with teammate Caleb Edmondson, were recognized Wednesday morning by the Alabama High School Athletic Association for their performances in Week 1. Edmondson caught four passes for 79 yards and two scores in the Tiger win.
Cherokee County High School’s Jacob Cornejo, Collinsville’s Tytan Morgan and Spring Garden’s John Welsh were also recognized for their efforts by the AHSAA.
Cornejo collected 208 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Warriors’ 26-7 win at Piedmont on Friday. He also had five tackles on defense.
Morgan led the Panther defense with an interception and a fumble recovery in a 47-0 win at Gaylesville on Friday.
Welsh posted nine tackles on defense and caught a pair of passes in a 21-6 setback to Coosa Christian.
In other statewide action, Barbour County High School first-year head football coach Derrick Levett has accomplished something six previous coaches before him were unable to accomplish.
The Jaguars downed Calhoun High School of Letohatchee 12-6 Friday night – the school’s first on-the-field win since October 18, 2013 and ended an on-the-field losing streak that had reached 78 games in a row – 85 if you count six forfeits in the COVID-plagued 2020 season when Barbour County did not field a team and one forfeit in 2021 to Russell County.
Friday’s victory propelled the Jaguars from Clayton into this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight for week 1 of the 2023 season.
Chimarion Brown scored on a 12-yard slant pass from quarterback Kylan McLeod with 49 seconds left to give Barbour County the win over Calhoun.
“After he threw the touchdown pass, my quarterback came off the field crying. We have some seniors who have never won a game,” said Levett. “That’s something I wanted all my kids to experience.”
The winning streak was officially ended at 66 in a row in the 2021 season opener when Stewart-Quitman, a Georgia high school, forfeited the contest. The Jags forfeited the next game, then lost their remaining nine contests in ‘21 and finished 0-10 last year.
In one sense, it was payback for the Jags. Calhoun beat Barbour County on a last-second shot by current NBA player J.D. Davison for the Class 2A state basketball championship in 2020.
Levett said his first order of business when he took the job was to change the players’ mindset. “I talked to them about overcoming adversity,” he said. “The kids are believing everything I have been telling them. Whether we win or lose, we want to fight through adversity.”
The Barbour County basketball program has been one of the top programs in he AHSAA since the school was formed by merging Louisville and Clayton high schools into the county’s only public high school in 2000. Prior to that consolidation, all other Barbour County high schools had been closed and merged with those two schools.
The Jaguars basketball program has played in a state championship game seven times since 2000 including 2014, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2001. The 2009 team won the state title with a perfect 30-0 record under the direction of Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame member Coach Raymond White.
Juan Williams coached the Jaguars for eight seasons from 2006-2013. After a 1-9 start, he led Barbour County to 35 wins including four winning seasons and three trips to the state playoffs. His 2008 squad was 8-3 and 2011 team finished 8-4. The Jags went 5-6 and made the playoffs the year the streak began with three losses to end the season.
Calhoun led 6-0 at the half, but Larry Wilson scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie the game. Barbour County’s defense shut out Calhoun the rest of the way with Dwiqullius Howard notching 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks. ZaKawavius Johnson, who rushed for 72 yards, also had 10 tackles, and recovered a fumble. Michael Blackmon had nine tackles, Jamear Boykin and Semarje Hall each had six.
MILESTONES
ELMORE COUNTY DEFENSE BREAKS 46-YEAR-OLD RECORD: Panthers defensive standout Landon Yawakia scored a touchdown on a 5-yard fumble return, and teammate Joseph Roberts added another TD on an 8-yard fumble return as the Class 5A Panthers blanked Class 1A Autaugaville 62-0. Coach Riley Caldwell’s defense set an AHSAA record in the process by limiting the Eagles to minus-119 yards rushing and allowed just one first down – which tied for second in the AHSAA record books.
The previous record of minus-67 rushing yards allowed was set 46 years earlier in 1977 when Greensboro held Uniontown to minus-67 yards in a 63-0 win. Elmore County (2-0), which plays Sylacauga Thursday night in the AHSAA TV Network Game of the Week at the Aggies’ Legion Stadium, sacked Autaugaville’s quarterback for 94 yards in losses.
CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Had just six rush attempts for 179 yards and four touchdowns as the Knights won their 26th straight regular-season victory with a 49-12 victory over Alabama Christian. The senior quarterback increased his career total yardage to 9,766 yards – just 234 yards shy of 10,000 yards. He currently ranks 13th all-time according to the AHSAA Record Book. The leader is Jack Hayes, who closed his career at Piedmont last season with 15,104 total yards (rushing, passing, and pass receiving yards). Only 10 players in AHSAA history have reached the 10,000-yard mark, however.
Some prominent football standouts are ranked in the top 13 including current Alabama free safety Kristian Story of Lanett (ranked second with 13,218 total yards), former Auburn and current Oregon State quarter Bo Nix of Pinson Valley (ranked third with 12,497 yards), who ranked third all-time, and former Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State and current New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston of Hueytown (ranked 11th with 9,853 yards).
ANDREW LEADS CENTRAL TO MILESTONE VICTORY: Quarterback Andrew Alford passed for five touchdowns and 317 yards on a 19-of-25 passing performance – all in the first half – as the Red Devils (2-0) opened Class 7A, Region 2 play with a 51-0 win over Smiths Station. The victory was the 601st win in school history, according to data compiled by the Alabama High School Historical Society. Cam Coleman hauled in six catches for 116 yards and three TDs for Central, coached by Patrick Nix. Alford threw for 424 yards last week in his Central debut.
The Red Devils own a 601-368-33 overall record in 97 seasons, according to data compiled by the Alabama High School Football Historical Society website. Central became the 38th AHSAA school to reach the 600-win milestone in last week’s season opening 48-24 victory over Hewitt-Trussville. The current win leader in the AHSAA is Oneonta (720) with T.R. Miller (719) and Fayette County (714) also in the 700-win club. Schools currently with the best chance of winning win 600 this season are Anniston (596), Bibb County (591) and Prattville (590).
Dora (1-1), ironically, beat Oneonta last week 27-13 for its 501st all-time win. The Bulldogs won their 500th game in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs last season beating Good Hope 34-6.
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES REPORTED:
RUSHING
DYLAN EMBRY, LOCUST FORK: Rushed 17 times for 325 yards and five touchdowns and passed for 116 yards and a sixth TD on a 3-of-6 passing effort to account for 441 total yards as the Hornets beat J.B. Pennington 42-20. He also punted for a 40-yard average and led his team in tackles.
C.J. HUTCHINS, TUSCALOOSA COUNTY: Piled up a career-high 307 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Bessemer City 55-33.
EMERSON RUSSELL, CHELSEA: Had 295 yards rushing with four touchdowns on 22 carries in the Hornets’ 38-24 victory over Calera.
KOLTON NERO, FOLEY: Ran 28 times for 271 rushing yards and four touchdowns as Foley (2-0) beat Baldwin County 37-24.
TERENCE GAINES, MORTIMER JORDAN: The workhorse running back had 28 rush attempts for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ hard-fought 35-28 win over Springville.
HUNTER PALMER, CENTRAL-FLORENCE: Had 18 carries for 255 yards and four touchdowns – runs of 16, 42, 51 and 14 yards – as Central beat East Limestone 42-35. Teammate Bryant Hanback added 162 rushing yards and two scores for Russellville.
KLETE MEADOWS, COTTONWOOD: Rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and also had a 42-yard touchdown reception to lead Cottonwood past Northside Methodist Academy 52-38.
KEN CHERRY, MADISON ACADEMY: Ran for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and caught a TD pass in a 49-20 win over Randolph.
D.J. BUTLER, DAVIDSON: Ran 19 times for 229 yards and four touchdowns and passed for another, accumulating 265 all-purpose yards as Davidson opened its new Warrior Stadium with a 59-46 victory over visiting Hillcrest-Evergreen.
MASON TEAGUE, SOUTHSIDE: Had 20 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 37-12 win over Hokes Bluff. Quarterback Gauge Nesmith also scored on an 85-yard run and became his school’s all-time passing leader with his first completion of the night in the opening period.
TAMARION PETERSON, DOTHAN: Rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries, and also threw a 5-yard TD pass in a 42-6 win over Percy Julian. Peterson’s TD runs were from 3, 55 and 27 yards.
ALVIN HENDERSON, ELBA: Picked up 221 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns on 10 carries as Elba downed Kinston 42-7. His scoring runs covered 10, 46, 53 and 66 yards.
A.J. LOWE, SULLIGENT: Gained 211 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns on 22 carries to lead the Blue Devils to a 22-14 victory over Fayette County.
TAMARION PETERSON, DOTHAN: Totaled 207 rushing yards on 15 carries and ran for three touchdowns as the Tigers (2-0) downed Percy Julian 42-6. His TD runs covered 3, 54 and 28 yards. He passed for a fourth TD with a 5-yard toss to Aubrial Alexander.
JAY DOBBS, MARS HILL BIBLE: Led the Panthers (2-0) to a 49-31 win over Class 4A Brooks with 207 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 11 carries. The senior ran 59 yards for a TD on the first play of the game and added a 71-yard TD scamper in the second period. Most of his rushing effort came on inside plays for the 5-foot-7, 163-pound halfback.
ENELSON DELVA, GUNTERSVILLE: Led the Wildcats to a 41-7 win over Lawrence County with 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
RODERICK TAYLOR, BAKER: Rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries to lead the Hornets (2-0) to a 33-17 road win over Wetumpka.
CAM PHINIZEE, RUSSELLVILLE: Gained 186 yards and scored three touchdowns on 16 carries as the Golden Tigers beat Deshler 35-13. His scoring runs were 9, 80 and 19 yards.
JALEN WILLIAMS, BESSEMER CITY: Ran 20 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-33 setback to Tuscaloosa County.
GAGE WILSON, WILSON: Gained 183 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns IN a 34-14 victory over Colbert Heights.
SANTONIOUS BROWN, HILLCREST-EVERGREEN: Ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in the Patriots’ 30-6 victory over Pike Road. Teammate Bryson Kimbrough completed 8-of-20 passes for 156 yards and also rushed for two TDs.
E.J. GOSS, HANDLEY: Had 15 carries for 177 yards and four touchdowns covering 1, 55, 49 and 3 yards as the Tigers (2-0) defeated defending Class 3A state champion Saint James 55-27.
LAKE NORRIS, BERRY: Amassed 175 yards rushing on 25 carries with two touchdowns as Berry beat Curry 50-13.
GAVIN FUQUA, AUSTIN: Piled up 173 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a 35-3 win over Decatur.
T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the Titans’ 42-27 loss to Hewitt-Trussville.
JORDAN GODSEY, LAMAR COUNTY: Had 15 rush attempts for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-6 win over Phil Campbell.
CARLIN LONG, LEE-HUNTSVILLE: Followed his 354-yard rushing performance in the season opener by racing 65 yards on the first offensive play of the Generals’ 50-26 win over Madison County. He finished the game with 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and teammate LaShaun Vann added 129 yards on six carries and also scored three TDs. Lee rushed for 486 yards on the night.
KEMO WILLIAMS, PIKE COUNTY: Gained 158 yards rushing and scored one touchdown on 23 carries in the Bulldogs’ Class 3A, Region 2 loss to Straughn 20-18.
MICAH CHRISTENSON, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Had 21 carries for 147 yards and one TD to lead the Tigers (2-0) to a hard-fought 26-13 win over Rogers.
BRADY WHIGHAM, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Rushed for 147 yards on 17 carries with one TD and caught one pass for a 43-yard touchdown in a 55-16 victory over Daleville.
D.J. JACKSON, CHILTON COUNTY: Sparked the Tigers to a 41-21 win over Jemison with a strong second-half effort. Hed rushed 14 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns and caught four passes for 63 yards and a fourth score. He had 210 total yards on the night.
ROSS SANDERS, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and added a third score on a 44-yard pass reception to lead the Wildcats (2-0) to a 34-7 win over Montgomery Academy.
PASSING
JIM OGLE, JACKSONVILLE: Threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns with a 19-of-26 passing performance as the Golden Eagles beat Alexandria 45-21.
GUNNER RIVERS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: The freshman quarterback turned in another 300-yard plus effort completing 29-of-41 passes for 378 yards and six touchdowns as St. Michael (1-1) downed Chickasaw 49-18. He also rushed for a seventh TD.
DAX VARNADORE, FORT PAYNE: Completed 16-of-26 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-26 win over Etowah for the Wildcats (1-1).
MAC BEASON, GARDENDALE: Fired 16 completions in 33 attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns in the Rockets’ 50-41 road loss to North Gwinnett (GA) in Atlanta. He also rushed for one score.
MASON MIMS, OXFORD: His 22-of-33 passing performance resulted in 293 yards and four touchdowns as the Yellow Jackets (2-0) beat Class 7A Huntsville 35-6.
BROGAN GROSS, ATHENS: Passed for 259 yards and five touchdowns to lead Athens (2-0) to a 35-28 win over Bob Jones.
KADYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Tied the AHSAA single-game passing percentage record with a perfect 13-of-13 passing effort for 256 yards and five touchdowns as the Raiders downed Daleville 55-16.
BRIAN CHAPMAN, SARDIS: Was 20 for 32 in passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seven times for 50 yards and two scores in the Lions’ 34-14 victory over New Hope.
RANDAL BARFOOT, SATSUMA: Was 11-of-18 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns and scored the game-winning TD in the final minute as the Gators nipped Cottage Hill Christian 28-22.
ROMAN GAGLIANO, OPELIKA: Turned in a 19-of-29 passing performance for 238 yards and three touchdowns as Opelika (1-1) beat Johnson Abernathy Graetz (JAG High School) 36-16 at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: Was 11-of-14 passing for 236 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Rebels (2-0) to a 43-0 win over Homewood. He completed passes to seven different receivers and also had 47 yards rushing and a fifth TD. Teammate William Tonsmeire added 129 yards rushing on nine carries.
BRAYDEN HUEBNER, LEROY: Completed 9-of-11 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns as the defending Class 1A state champions beat Clarke County 26-13. He also rushed for 74 yards on 14 carries and returned one punt for 44 yards.
PRESTON LANCASTER, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: Was 22-of-32 passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-20 loss to American Christian.
KAI YOUNG, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Completed 17 of 25 passes for 214 yards with one passing and one rushing touchdown in the Patriots’ 33-20 win over Tuscaloosa Academy.
JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: Led the Vikings to a 19-7 win over Charles Henderson at Troy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium completing 16-of-20 passes for 209 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for Mary Montgomery’s other two scores.
KEYSHAWN COLE, CARROLL: Totaled 313 total yards and six touchdowns in a 62-30 win over Dale County. He passed for 202 yards and four touchdowns with a 10-of-15 completion performance. He rushed for 111 yards and two scores on nine carries.
CASON WALLS, DOUGLAS: Was a near-perfect 10-of-11 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles (2-0) downed DAR 48-17.
BRENDAN CONNER, CORNER: Completed 8-of-14 passes for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns and added 56 yards rushing and another TD on eight carries as the Yellow Jackets beat St. Clair County 48-7.
JORDAN LEVERETTE, BIBB COUNTY: Was 12-of-22 passing for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the Choctaws’ 33-21 win over Gordo.
LOGAN COPPEDGE, CHILTON COUNTY: Led the Tigers to a come-from-behind 41-21 victory over Jemison completing 15-of-21 passes attempted for 170 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first start at quarterback in his high school career.
LANDON DUCKWORTH, JACKSON: Fired four touchdown passes to four separate receivers to lead the Aggies to a 35-7 win over Demopolis. E.J. Crowell, Nasir Powell, Red Chapman, and Omarion King were on the receiving end of Duckworth’s TD tosses.
PASS RECEIVING
KY’DRIC FISHER, JACKSONVILLE: Reeled in nine receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 victory over Alexandria. Teammate Damonte Sinclair had five catches for 189 yards and one score.
TAYLOR CRUMEDY, LEROY: Snagged six pass receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns to help the Bears beat Clarke County 26-13.
LAQUENTON UNDERWOOD, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Snagged seven pass receptions for 155 yards from quarterback Terrell Russell and scored both Wolverine touchdowns in a 12-7 road win over Class 7A Daphne. Russell finished with 199 yards passing.
JADON LOVING, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Pulled in five pass receptions for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Huskies (1-1) picked up their first win of the season beating Gadsden City 42-27.
PEYTON PLOTT, CARROLL: Caught six passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns and had an interception on defense to help the Eagles defeat Dale County 62-30.
DAVIS DARE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Caught nine passes for 126 yards in the Patriots’ 33-20 victory over Tuscaloosa Academy.
BLAKE GRIGGS, FORT PAYNE: Grabbed six passes for 125 yards and two TDs as the Wildcats (1-1) beat Etowah 54-27.
JYWON BOYD, CHARLES HENDERSON: Collected nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in a 19-7 setback to Mary Montgomery. He also had six tackles and two pass break-ups on defense.
ETHAN WILDER, GORDO: Pulled down three passes for 120 yards and one TD in a 33-21 loss to Class 4A Bibb County.
ZIGGY HOLLOWAY, SAINT JAMES: Caught five passes for 113 yards and two scores for defending Class 3A state champion Saint James in a 55-27 loss to Handley.
JAMARI MILLER, OPELIKA: Pulled down 10 receptions for 107 yards and one TD, and teammate Jordan Tolbert added five catches for 106 yards and two scores as the Bulldogs (1-1) beat JAG at Cramton Bowl.
DEFENSE
TY GOODWILL, FAITH ACADEMY: Made three interceptions on defense, caught a touchdown pass on offense and blocked field goal attempt in the Rams’ 44-13 win at Elberta.
DREW MURPHY, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Swiped three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and the Class 4A Admirals (2-0) down Pike Liberal Arts 38-6. He also had three tackles.
DREW KELLER, TUSCALOOSA COUNTY: Snagged three interceptions returning one for a touchdown as the Wildcats (2-0) beat Bessemer City 55-33.
CLETE O’BRYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Finished with 14 tackles, for of them for a loss, in the Conquerors’ 21-6 win over Spring Garden.
BRANDON PURIFOY, VIGOR: Returned an interception for a touchdown to clinch the Wolves’ 26-18 win over B.C. Rain. He led Vigor’s defense with 13 tackles, a sack and two pass breakups.
STERLING DIXON, SPANISH FORT: Recorded 12 tackles with two sacks and a quarterback pressure in a 44-0 win over Class 6A, Region 1 rival Blount.
WYATT TREXLER, AUBURN: Recorded 12 tackles, five resulting in losses, in the Tigers’ 17-16 loss to Enterprise.
JEREMIAH BEAMAN, PARKER: Sparked a strong Parker defensive effort with 10 tackles and two sacks and snagged the game-winning 37-yard touchdown pass in the final quarter as the Herd knocked off defending Class 5A state champion and Birmingham city rival Ramsay 20-17.
CHRIS BUTLER, GADSDEN CITY: Had 11 tackles in the Titans’ 42-27 loss to Hewitt-Trussville.
BRAYLIN JACKSON, PIKE COUNTY: Totaled 11 tackles with one for a loss in a 20-19 Class 3A Region 2 loss to Straughn.
ZION GRADY, CHARLES HENDERSON: Had 11 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, two sacks and a quarterback hurry in the Trojans’ 19-7 loss to Mary Montgomery.
TIMBO PARNELL, LEROY: Totaled 10.5 tackles with one sack and three resulting in losses in the Bears’ 26-13 win over Clarke County.
COOPER DEERMAN, WEST BLOCTON: Accounted for 10 tackles and caused a fumble in a 34-14 victory over Brookwood.
ELIJAH KELLEY, BOAZ: Had two interceptions as the Pirates defense sparked a 48-7 win over Albertville in the 83rd playing of the “Backyard Brawl.”
ISAIAH HILL, JACKSON: Intercepted a pass on his team’s first defensive snap and returned it for a touchdown and the Aggies went on to post a 35-7 win over Demopolis.
ANDERSON MORGAN, HOKES BLUFF: The Eagles’ defensive back made two interceptions in a 37-12 loss to Southside.
DETERRIUS CUTTS, MONTEVALLO: Led the Bulldogs; defense in a 13-10 triumph over Shelby County with two interceptions, six pass-breakups and six tackles.
ANDRUW SMITH, SCOTTSBORO: The senior linebacker delivered eight tackles and one quarterback pressure as the Wildcats beat North Jackson 44-15.
NIC ACKER, PLEASANT VALLEY: Led a Raiders defense that forced five turnovers with two interceptions in the 40-0 win over Donoho. Teammate Hunter Sparks also returned a punt 45 yards for a TD.
JAMARIAN HEATH, HANDLEY: Returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers beat defending 3A state champion Saint James 55-27. Handley’s defense limited the Trojans to just 23 rushing yards.
JAMARI PAYNE, LOACHAPOKA: Had three tackles for losses in the first quarter and scooped up a fumble in the second period returning it 68 yards for a touchdown in the Indians’ 14-12 victory at Beulah.
SPECIAL TEAMS
ANDREW PICKARD, ENTERPRISE: Booted a game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired to give visiting Enterprise a 17-16 win over Auburn in the Region 2 opener for both Class 7A teams. He nailed both extra-point kicks he tried, punted eight times for a 41.7-yard average, and placed two of his punts inside the Auburn 7-yard line.
COLE RAEUCHLE, SCOTTSBORO: Was 5-for-5 on extra points and kicked a 40-yard field goal as the Wildcats (2-0) downed North Jackson 44-15. The sophomore improved his consecutive successful PAT kick streak to 22 in a row dating back to last season. He is 13-for-13 this season, 46-of-48 for his career, and 6-for-7 on field goals during the last two years.
ALEX MARTINEZ, WEST LIMESTONE: Kicked the winning field goal in the second overtime to seal a 29-26 win over Clements.
ANTHONY FRAZIER, St. Paul’s EPISCOPAL: The sophomore blocked a punt and scored a touchdown and also raced into the end zone on a 14-yard run as the Saints (2-0) edged McGill-Toolen Catholic 14-6.
HUNTER HALE, HELENA: Returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and caught seven passes for 101 yards and two scores as the Huskies downed Buckhorn 55-7.
CHARLES NEAL, SOUTH LAMAR: Returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown, rushed for two TDs covering 9 and 20 yards and caught a 62-yard TD pass in the Class 1A Stallions’ 41-0 Region 5 win over Holy Spirit Catholic. Teammate Rowan Wilcox also raced 82 yards for another rushing TD.
JOHN WILL SPRUIEL, SULLIGENT: Had two interceptions, and teammate Wesley Gardener had one in the Blue Devils’ 22-14 win over Fayette County.
JADAN BURNS, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Kicked field goals of 29 and 35 yards and was 3-for-3 in extra points in the Conquerors’ 21-6 win over Spring Garden.