Compiled by the AHSAA
MONTGOMERY – There were plenty of area high school football players recognized for their Week 7 efforts in Tuesday’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Football Spotlight.
In all, five area schools had at least one player receive recognition. Those players and the performances they turned in are listed below.
For this week’s complete statewide honorees, visit the following link: https://www.ahsaa.com/Media/AHSAANOW/News-Articles/special-teams-play-grabs-the-ahsaa-week-7-football-spotlight
TAE DIAMOND, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Ran for 152 yards on 18 carries and scored three TDs in the Warriors’ 35-21 victory in Class 4A, Region 6 over Hokes Bluff. Diamond’s TD runs covered 4, 1 and 51 yards for Cherokee County (7-1), who improved to 5-0 in Region 6.
CONNOR BATES, SPRING GARDEN: Accounted for three scores (two rushing, one receiving) to lead unbeaten Spring Garden (5-0) to a 27-12 win over Gaylesville to clinch the Class 1A, Region 8 title. Bates finished with 86 rushing yards on 13 carries and led the defense with 10 tackles.
COLE WILSON, PIEDMONT: Completed 13-of-19 pass attempts for 329 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs (7-0) beat J.B. Pennington 41-21 in Class 3A, Region 6. Wilson tossed a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes to Rollie Pinto from 71 and 17 yards to put the Bulldogs in front 13-0, then connected with Ishmael Bethel on an 85-yard score with 9:31 in the second to give the Bulldogs a 19-0 advantage. The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 in the Region 6 standings with three region games remaining.
MASON McATEER, COLLINSVILLE: Was 17-of-30 passing for 200 yards and rushed for 62 yards and a TD on 13 carries in a 41-7 Class 3A, Region 8 loss to Sylvania.
ADAM GRIFFITH, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Completed 8-of-9 pass attempts for 155 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown to Ben Frampton in the second quarter, and the Warriors rolled past Hokes Bluff 35-21 in Class 4A, Region 6.
Frampton finished with six catches for 115 yards and the second-quarter TD.
ROLLIE PINTO, PIEDMONT: Caught eight passes for 189 yards and two scores in a 41-21 win over J.B. Pennington in Class 3A, Region 6. Teammate Ishmael Bethel also had five receptions for 141 yards, including an 85-yard TD score. Hayes Gunn also rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries and scored three touchdowns.
JOHN WELSH, SPRING GARDEN: Posted nine tackles, recovered a fumble and also scored the clinching TD with a 7-yard touchdown run with 2:53 remaining in the fourth quarter in the Panthers’ 27-12 win at Gaylesville in Class 1A, Region 8. Jacob Welsh also had seven tackles and a pair of sacks for Spring Garden (8-0).
AYDN HEINRICH, GAYLESVILLE: Returned the kickoff to open the third quarter 75 yards for a touchdown in the Trojans’ 27-12 homecoming loss to Spring Garden. Heinrich also had an interception in the first quarter.