Compiled by the AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – Ten area football players and Collinsville head coach Ernie Willingham were all recognized by the Alabama High School Athletic Association in its Football Spotlight on Wednesday morning.
Willingham earned his 100th coaching win at Collinsville with a 42-0 victory at Cedar Bluff. Willingham is in his third head-coaching stint for the Panthers. He coached Collinsville from 1998-2002, from 2013-19, and 2021 to the present. His record is 100-67 with the Panthers in 16 seasons and 151-97 overall, which includes his seven-year stretch as head coach at Appalachian.
Quintavious Rogers did his part to help his head coach pick up the milestone win. He picked off a Cedar Bluff pass just 1:08 into the game and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown to set the pace. Rogers also ran for 76 yards on six carries – all in the first half.
In other area standout performances, Piedmont senior quarterback Cole Wilson completed 12-of-19 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns covering 59, 46, 6 and 6 yards in a 34-13 win over Saks. Ishmael Bethel and Rollie Pinto had two TD receptions apiece.
There were also several noteworthy rushing performances.
Cherokee County High School running back Keyshawn Woods gained 192 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns (17 and 9 yards) in the Warriors’ 42-21 win at Arab.
Sand Rock fullback Kane Robison accumulated 164 yards on 27 carries and accounted for both Wildcat touchdowns (1 and 4 yards), both in the first quarter, in a 14-8 win over West End.
Gaylesville’s Alex Baty had 14 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns and teammate Aydn Heinrich added 131 yards and two TDs on just three carries in the Trojans’ 58-6 win at Asbury on Thursday, which is the Trojans’ first 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2013.
Spring Garden’s Connor Bates ran for 114 yards on 18 carries and scored the Panthers’ first touchdown on a 2-yard run in a 34-12 triumph over Pleasant Valley. He also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Barber, posted four tackles and had a fumble recovery on defense.
Click on the link below for a complete list of this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight honorees.