Staff Reports
Collinsville football coach Ernie Willingham was among those recognized by the Alabama High School Athletic Association in its weekly Football Spotlight.
In the Panthers’ 27-22 victory at Valley Head last Thursday, Willingham picked up his 150th career victory. He is 99-66 at Collinsville and is the winningest coach in Panthers’ history. Collinsville had its first football season in 1920. Willingham has been a head coach for 22 seasons with two stints at Collinsville.
Helping Willingham achieve the milestone win was his grandson, quarterback Mason McAteer and running back Quintavious Rogers.
McAteer completed 8-of-15 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns (61, 38, 56 and 38 yards). Rogers caught three of those passes for 131 yards and two scores (61 and 38 yards) in the Panther win.
Six other area football players were recognized for their efforts last weekend.
Cedar Bluff’s Carson Webb accounted for 13 tackles, including five for lost yardage, and a fumble recovery in the Tigers’ 45-6 victory over Donoho on Friday. He also ran for 38 yards on four carries and scored a touchdown on offense.
Jacob Cornejo ran for 159 yards on 23 carries in the Cherokee County Warriors’ 21-14 loss to Fort Payne on Friday. On defense, Alex Loyd led the Warriors with 16 tackles. Teammate Tristan Brown made 15 stops.
Piedmont quarterback Cole Wilson connected on 7-of-11 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns (83 and 26 yards) – both to Ish Bethel. Wilson also had a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the Bulldogs’ 32-31 overtime loss to Sylacauga.
Bethel finished with three catches for 116 yards and two scores (83 and 26 yards) in the loss.
You can see this week’s complete statewide honorees at the link below.