Staff Reports
GAYLESVILLE – In a crucial Class 1A, Region 8 football game to keep playoff hopes alive, the Ragland Purple Devils pulled away for a 41-20 victory at Gaylesville on Friday night.
The Trojans (3-5, 1-4) took an early 8-0 advantage with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter, but Ragland battled back to tie the game later in the first and took a 14-8 advantage at halftime on an interception return for a touchdown.
The Purple Devils (3-5, 2-3) extended their lead to 28-8 in the third quarter before the Trojans attempted a comeback with a touchdown to make it 28-14 with just 29 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter, Ragland countered with another score two minutes later to make it a 35-14 game.
Gaylesville scored its final touchdown with 7:17 to go, and Ragland added a late score for the final.
Jack Sentell led the Trojans with 102 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. He also had six tackles on defense. Bryson Thompson tallied 54 yards on nine carries with two scores. Aydn Heinrich finished with 97 yards on 12 totes. He also caught a pass for 19 yards and posted six tackles on defense.
Parker Fletcher led the Trojan defense with seven stops. Ben Henderson had six tackles and Jared Butts finished with five tackles.
Gaylesville is at Woodville next Friday.
