AHSAA Spotlight Performances for Last Week

By David Holtsford, AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – The Goshen Eagles of Coach Don Moore and the Colbert County Indians of Coach Scotty Hannah are located 260 miles apart in south and north Alabama, respectively. Both teams, however, have much in common. Both schools’ football teams entered the AHSAA Record Book and grabbed the AHSAA Week 8 Football Spotlight with their strong tendency to run the football. The Class 2A Eagles clinched a playoff berth in Region 3 with a rushing attack that accumulated a school-record 585 yards rushing in the 61-14 win over Lanett. Jayden McNabb led the way with 158 yards on 10 carries, followed by Szemerick Andrews, who had 149 yards on four carries, including two TDs covering 76 and 50 yards. Tyler McLendon also had a career-high 123 yards on six rush attempts and scored three TDs. The 585 yards rank as 11th best all time in the AHSAA according to the AHSAA Record book. Ironically, Colbert County’s Indians ran for 524 yards in their 55-13 Class 3A, Region 8 victory over Clements last week – entering the AHSAA Record Book leaderboard at No. 22 all time. Mikey McCoy was one of three Colbert County running backs for Hannah to rush for more than 100 yards as the team totaled 524 rushing yards overall in the Indians’ 55-13 Class 3A, Region 8 win over Clements. He had 134 yards and a TD on 13 carries, Shad Samples had 127 yards and two scores on seven carries, and B.J. Thornton had 116 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Aiquan Horton also rushed for a 40-yard TD, Caleb Stafford had 60 yards rushing, and Peyton Gargis had an interception on defense. The 524 yards rushing rank 22ND best in AHSAA history for a single game according to the AHSAA Record Book online. The state record belongs to Parrish, which totaled 806 yards beating Hubbertville 81-58 in a 2003 game. Pleasant Grove also had 701 yards in a 76-45 victory over Gardendale in 2000. Earlier this season Class 5A Scottsboro, coached by Cris Bell, rushed for 562 yards in a 63-38 win over Boaz – which ranks 13th overall, in over Boaz earlier this year. The team rushing superlatives edged out six other extraordinary individual performances – two by running backs, two by quarterbacks, one by receiver and one by a defensive standout. Junior running back Alvin Henderson sparked unbeaten Class 1A Elba, coached by Marc Sieving, to a 56-28 victory over Florala in Class 1A, Region 2 with 355 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 20 carries. Henderson’s TDs came on runs of 21, 18, 1, 57, 11, 43 and 53 yards. Fyffe High School’s Logan Anderson ran for a school-record 362 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-42 win over previously unbeaten Pisgah (7-1) as head coach Paul Benefield recorded the 299th win of his Hall-of-Fame career at his alma mater. The win also clinched the Red Devils’ 19th region title during his 27 years as the head coach, and their 12th in the last 13 years. Benefield’s record is 299-45 with the Red Devils (7-1). He is 344-56 over in 32 seasons – and is one win away from becoming just the second prep football coach in Alabama history to win 300 games at one school. The first one, Buddy Anderson, was 346-160 at Vestavia Hills from 1978-2020. Vestavia was the only place he ever coached. Anderson’s dad, Dovey Anderson, compiled a 180-82-27 record from 1931-1961 at Thomasville – the only place he served as a head coach. Ariton High School senior quarterback Ian Senn set school record with 497 total yards in the Purple Cats’ 49-42 Class 2A, Region 2 victory over Wicksburg last week. He scored all had a hand in scoring all seven touchdowns, including the go-ahead TD with a 4-yard run with 2:02 left to play. Senn, coached by Steven Kilcrease, rushed for 270 yards and two scores on 25 carries and completed 18-of-30 passes for 227 yards and five touchdowns. He also threw a pair of 2-point conversion passes and added eight tackles on defense. Valley senior quarterback Cam Dooley, who helped the Rams roll to a perfect 33-0 record while winning the Class 5A state basketball championship last winter, turned in a career best passing performance in Valley’s Class 5A, Region 4 one-point victory over Elmore County, He was 17-of-25 passing for 370 yards and five touchdowns – and the Rams, coached by Adam Hunter, needed every single yard. Valley beat Elmore County 41-40 to clinch the No. 2 playoff seed in the upcoming 2023 state playoffs. Elmore County clinched the No. 3 seed. in Class 5A, Region 4. He finished 17-of-25 on the night. And on defense, Pinson Valley senior defensive back Byron Quates scored two touchdowns on defense, returning an interception 56 yards for a pick-6 and returning a fumble 89 yards for another score, as the Indians, coached by Gentrell Eatman, beat nipped Shades Valley 28-25 in Class 6A, Region 6. He also had six tackles. Other outstanding efforts reported last week include: MILESTONES: GREG BELL, WWIC RADIO: The veteran radio broadcaster at WWIC Radio AM 1050 has been announcing Scottsboro High School football games for a long, long time. He reached a special milestone when he was behind the mike for the Wildcats’ 49-28 homecoming victory over Douglas – marking his 400th consecutive broadcast of Scottsboro football game since crawling into the radio booth in 1986. A well -respected broadcaster in Alabama radio circles, Bell was recently selected the Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA) Broadcaster of the Year and inducted into the ABA Hall of Fame Class of 2023. BROCK BRADLEY, SPAIN PARK: Completed 27-of-34 passes for a career high 411 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score in the Jaguars’ 50-29 Class 7A, Region 3 victory over Hewitt-Trussville. The win keeps the playoff hopes alive for Spain Park, coached by second-year head coach Tim Vakakes, heading into the final week of region play. Spain Park can clinch the school’s first winning season since 2017 win a win over Region 2 rival Oak Mountain this week. JAXSON LOVELACE, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-14 win over Mars Hill Bible to seal the Tigers’ Class 3A, Region 8 victory over the Panthers and clinch the region title for the second time in three years – and for the fifth time since 2004. JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: The senior quarterback accounted for four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing, and finished the night 10-of-14 for 211 passing yards as the Vikings clinched the Class 7A, Region 1 title for the first time in school history with a 34-7 win over Daphne.

RUSHING TAE FUQUA, DESHLER: Ran for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries as the Tigers beat Rogers 28-19 in Class 4A, Region 7. HUNTER PALMER, CENTRAL-FLORENCE: Rushed for a career-high 274 yards and six TDs in 48-21 win over West Limestone in Class 4A, Region 7. He had TDs covering 31, 40 and 85 yards in the second quarter. His other scoring runs covered 8, 4 and 5 yards. JACOB CORNEJO, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Pled up 268 rushing yards on 17 carries with four touchdowns covering 38, 14, 71 and 50 yards in the Warriors’ 49-0 victory over Etowah. The victory clinched Cherokee County’s second straight Class 4A, Region 6 title. FLUFF BOTHWELL, ONEONTA: Had 368 combined yards and six touchdowns in Oneonta’s 63-29 Class 4A, Region 6 victory over Ashville to clinch a playoff berth. The senior rushed 13 times for 186 yards and three TDs, totaled three pass receptions for 102 yards and two scores, and returned a kickoff 80 yards for another touchdown. His rushing TDs covered 4, 52, and 19 yards and his TD catches, 58 and 10 yards. SAVARIUS EVANS, DECATUR HERITAGE: Ran for 266 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-0 win over Gaylesville in 1A Region 7. NAVONTAY RICHARDSON, THEODORE: Rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns on 10 first-half carries to lead Theodore to a 42-7 win over McGill-Toolen in Class 6A, Region 1. BOOGIE HARRIS, GARDENDALE: Had 235 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Rockets’ 59-20 Class 6A, Region 5 win over Woodlawn.

BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Totaled 216 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns in a 36-29 victory over Priceville in 4A, Region 8. He also completed 10-of-12 passes for 95 yards and another score. BRETT COLEMAN, HALEYVILLE: Rushed for 212 yards and three TDs on 13 carries with runs of 36, 50 and 53 yards in 46-21 win over Hamilton in 4A, Region 5. Teammate Hayden Ramos also had 30 carries for 187 yards with TD runs of 6 and 9 yards as the Lions finished the night with 459 yards on the ground. OMARION PINCKNEY, DALEVILLE: Piled up 211 yards rushing and three touchdowns as Daleville handed Providence Christian its first 3A, Region 2 loss with a 20-15 win over the Eagles. COLE GAMBLE, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Totaled 319 yards and four touchdowns in the Spartans’ 54-14 victory over Mortimer Jordan in 6A, Region 5. He had 16 rush attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns, returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score and caught one pass for 19 yards in a very productive effort. JONAH WINSTON, HOOVER: Had 246 all-purpose yards, rushing seven times for 186 yards and three touchdowns, catching three passes for 24 yards, and returning a punt 23 yards as the Bucs beat Chelsea 41-7 in 7A, Region 3. BRANDEZ EASON, DADEVILLE: Managed 177 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 10 carries and also had 12 tackles as the Tigers beat Childersburg 46-12 in Class 3A, Region 4. KANE ROBISON, SAND ROCK: The former guard made the position switch pay big dividends in the Wildcats’ 34-0 Class 2A, Region 7 win over Ider. He had 19 carries for 175 yards and a 20-yard TD run. TRISTAN CHILDERS, BOAZ: Gained 175 yards on 23 rushes and scored two touchdowns on runs of 76 and 2 yards as the Pirates beat Sardis 35-21.

BLITZ CLEMONS, PRICEVILLE: Ran for 174 yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries in a 39-26 loss to Westminster Christian in 4A, Region 8.

ROZARIO CONWELL, MONTEVALLO: Ran seven times for 174 yards (24.8 yards per carry) with four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-14 triumph over Holt in 4A, Region 3.

COLLIN PATE, OAK GROVE: Ran 21 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns with two catches for 32 yards, adding 10 tackles with two tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble on defense in the Tigers’ 42-21 victory in Class 4A, Region 5.

KEION DUNLAP, ENTERPRISE: Rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries in the Wildcats’ 28-14 win over Opelika in Class 7A, Region 2.

JOHN WELSH, SPRING GARDEN: Ran for 148 yards eight carries with a 59-yard dash for one score and caught two passes for 84 yards with TD receptions of 49 and 35 yards as the Panthers beat Donoho 49-7 in 1A, Region 6.

KADAN MOORE, NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN: Ran for 144 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries in a 51-7 win over Section in 2A, Region 7.

GAVIN FUQUA, AUSTIN: Ran for 128 clutch yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries in a 49-22 win over Bob Jones in 7A, Region 4.

PASSING ANDREW ALFORD, CENTRAL-PHIENIX CITY: Was 14-of-23 passing for 340 yards and four TDs – all to star receiver Cam Alford – in the Red Devils’ 41-20 win over Auburn in Class 7A, Region 2. CAMERON JENNINGS, PARKER: Was 11-of-14 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns as the Thundering Herd downed Minor 41-7 in Class 6A, Region 5.

KADYN MITCHELL, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Was 10-of-15 passing for 298 yards and five touchdowns as the Raiders downed Opp 49-42 in 3A, Region 2. ERIC HANDLEY, PLEASANT GROVE: Completed 17-of-20 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half, as the Spartans beat Birmingham-Carver 47-0 in Class 5A, Region 5.

AMARI YELDING, B.C. RAIN: Passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns as B.C. Rain beat LeFlore 39-7 or its fifth straight win. He was 14-of-20 on the night in the 5A, Region 1 contest. JOHN PAUL HEAD, VESTAVIA HILLS: Completed 10-of-16 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns, adding 11 rushes for 58 yards and three touchdowns in the Rebels’ 50-0 victory over Oak Mountain in 7A, Region 3.

CASON MYERS, PIKE ROAD: Was 18-of-28 passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns in the Patriots’ 52-14 victory over Stanhope Elmore in Class 6A, Region 2. JACOB CLOPTON, McADORY: Completed 8-of-9 passes for 218 yards (27.3 yards per completion) for 4 touchdowns in the Jackets’ 42-6 victory over Brookwood in 6A, Region 4. JERRIAN GRAHAM, VIGOR: Passed for 208 yards om a 7-of-11 performance resulting in two touchdowns as the Wolves won at Elberta 46-7 in 5A, Region 1. ALEX ASHLEY, SAND ROCK: Completed 13-of-21 pass attempts for 209 yards and three touchdowns covering 13, 26 and 29 yards – all to junior receiver Gavynn Cunningham – in the Wildcats’ 34-0 Class 2A, Region 7 victory over Ider. Cunningham finished with four catches for 91 yards. CARSON McFADDEN, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Had 322 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns with 16 rushes for 139 yards and two scores as the Cavaliers beat Jasper 35-12 in Class 5A, Region 5. He was 12-of-15 passing for 183 yards and had three punts, two his team downed inside the 10-yard line. BRADY KITCHENS, GLENCOE: Was 16-of-27 passing for 232 yards and one TD and rushed for 92 yards and three more scores in the Yellow Jackets’ 3A, Region 6 loss to Ohatchee. He totaled 324 yards on the night. GREYSON CARROLL, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Finished with 218 yards combined yards in the Warriors’ 42-35 win over Plainview in 3A, Region 6. He was 5-of-13 in passing for 124 yards and a touchdown and carried 19 times for 94 yards and two scores. He also had an interception on defense. KEYSHAWN COLE, CARROLL: Accounted for 277 total yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 35-33 win over Greenville in 5A, Region 3. Cole rushed for 144 yards on 17 carries and threw for 133 and three scores completing 7-of-15 pass attempts. COLE WILSON, PIEDMONT: Completed 13-of-24 pass attempts for 187 yards and two touchdowns, connections of 75 and 35 yards to Ishmael Bethel, in the Bulldogs’ 42-27 loss to Geraldine. KEILYN RHETTA, ONEONTA: Was 7-of-10 passing for 171 yards and three TDs in a 63-29 win over Ashville in in 4A, Region 6. MASON BURKHARDT, WICKSBURG: Passed for 157 yards and two scores with a 6-of-13 passing performance and rushed for 84 yards and one score on 20 carries in the Panthers’ 49-42 loss to Ariton. He also had 12 tackles and an interception on defense. TERRELL RUSSELL, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Was 6-of-15 passing for 152 yards with two TD connections covering 83 and 64 yards to Jacquavius Simmons, who also rushed for 134 yards and two TDs on 14 carries as the Rams downed Sidney Lanier 39-21 in Class 6A, Region 2. The largest crowd of the season, estimated at 8,000, were in attendance. PASS RECEIVING CAM ALFORD, CEN TRAL-PHENIX CITY: Had nine receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns in the Red Devils’ 41-20 win over Auburn in Class 7A, Region 2. ROD JACKSON, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Managed five pass catches for 193 yards and four touchdowns in the Raiders’ 49-20 win over Opp in 3A, Region 2. MALCOLM SIMMONS, BENJAMIN RUSSELL: Had TD receptions of 75 and 50 yards to lead the Wildcats to a come-from-behind 25-21 win over Briarwood Christian in Class 6A, Region 3. JAYDEN PATTON, GLENCOE: Grabbed 10 receptions for 159 yards a touchdown in the Yellow Jackets’ 42-26 loss to Ohatchee in 3A, Region 6A. BAYLON FOSTER, NEW BROCKTON: Grabbed five passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns in New Brockton’s 30-26 win over Ashford. Foster also completed a pair of 2-point conversions in the 3A, Region 2 victory. JAKAI HUDGINS, BOAZ: Snagged eight pass receptions for 120 yards in the Pirates’ 35-21 win over Sardis. LAWSON LEGER, ARITON: Caught five passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns in Ariton’s 49-42 win over Wicksburg in 2A, Region 2. J.J. WILLIAMS, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Caught three passes for 116 yards and one TD in the Knights’ 63-0 win over Dale County. PEYTON PLOTT, CARROLL: Pulled in seven pass receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 35-33 win over Greenville in 5A, Region 2. He also added 53 yards rushing on nine carries.

DEFENSE LANDON CHANDLER, GOSHEN: Totaled 20 tackles to lead Goshen to a 61-14 win over Lanett in Class 2A, Region 3.

TYLER SOTTOLANO, ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Intercepted three passes, including a pick six, in a 65-5 win over DAR IN 4A, Region 8.

WALKER TURNER, ENTERPRISE: He and teammate J.T. Hooten each had 16 tackles in the Wildcats’ 28-14 Class 7A, Region 2 win over Opelika. Turner added an interception and Marzavious Reed added 13 tackles.

JAY BURNS, DADEVILLE: Recorded 14.5 tackles on defense and rushed five times for 72 yards and two TDs on offense leading the Tigers past Childersburg 46-12 in 3A, Region 4. TY WOOTEN, FORT PAYNE: Recorded 14 solo tackles, four assists, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 23-14 Class 6A, Region 8 win over Buckhorn.

ELI SPARKS, SCOTTSBORO: Had 13 tackles and also punted for a 46-yard average as the Wildcats beat Douglas 49-28 in Class 5A, Region 7. Teammates Andruw Smith and J.C. Heikkinen added 11 tackles each. MICHAEL MASCHEK, KINSTON: Returned a pass interception 98 yards for a touchdown and recorded eight tackles in the Bulldogs’ 45-19 loss to McKenzie in 1A, Region 1.

MITCHELL PIEDRA, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Had 13 tackles, including three for losses, and also caused a fumble in the Raiders’ 49-20 Class 3A, Region 2 win over Opp. BRAYDEN WHITEHEAD, G.W. LONG: Finished with 12 tackles in G.W. Long’s 24-6 win over Abbeville in 2A, Region 2. He also returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown, rushed for 83 yards on nine carries with a TD and added four receptions for 59 yards in the win. PATE PASS, ONEONTA: Led the Redskins’ defense with 13 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for losses as Oneonta beat Ashville 63-29 in 4A, Region 6. ZANDER PETERMAN, ABBEVILLE: Recorded 13 tackles, including three tackles for loss, in the Yellow Jackets’ 24-6 Class 2A, Region 2 loss to G.W. Long. IZAAC MURRY, WICKSBURG: Managed 12 tackles and blocked an extra-point kick in the Panthers’ 49-42 loss to Ariton in 2A, Region 2. PRUITT VAUGHAN, PIKE LIBERAL ARTS: Turned in 12 tackles in the Patriots’ 43-14 loss to Marianna (FL). JORDAN SANFORD, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Totaled 12 tackles in the Knights’ 56-21 loss to Straughn in 2A, Region 2. BLAKE PETERSON, NEW BROCKTON: Led the Gamecocks’ defense with 11 tackles as New Brockton posted a 30-26 win over Ashford in 3A, Region 2. JAY RAGLAND, ASHFORD: Registered 11 tackles, including six for losses and two quarterback sacks as the Jackets fell 30-26 to New Brockton. MICAH LAWRENCE, TARRANT: Picked off a pass on defense and returned it 60 yards for a touchdowns and also snagged three passes from his wide receiver spot for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a 63-14 win over Sumiton Christian. LJAY WILLIAMS, CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY: Raced 85 yards with a fumble return in the Red Devils’ 41-29 victory over Class 7A, Region 2 rival Auburn.

SPECIAL TEAMS QUINTAVIOUS ROGERS, COLLINSVILLE: Returned two punts for touchdowns covering 60 and 29 yards to lead the Panthers to a 55-14 win over Whitesburg Christian in 2A, Region 7. He scored the Panthers’ first touchdown on a 7-yard run in the first quarter and added a 3-yard touchdown run in the second period.

ED GREEN, OPP: Raced 99 yards on a kickoff return for a touchdown in the Bobcats/ 49-20 loss to Houston Academy in 3A, Region 2. TOWNS McGOUGH, AUBURN: Booted a 50-yard field goal in the Tigers’ 41-20 setback to Central-Phenix City in 7A, Region 2. JAVON MOSE, CHICKASAW: Blocked a punt resulting in a touchdown and returned an interception 50 yards for another defensive score to seal Chickasaw’s 30-24 win over Washington County in 2A, Region 1. He also finished with 12 tackles, including 2 tackles for a loss. DJ BARBER, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Blocked a punt that led to a touchdown and contributed nine tackles and two sacks as the unbeaten Cougars downed Oxford 28-24 in 6A, Region 6. CLETE O'BRYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN. Had two interceptions, one of which he returned 36 yards for a touchdown, in the Conquerors’ 51-0 victory over Appalachian in 1A, Region 7. He also had seven tackles and a sack on defense. COLE RAEUCHLE, SCOTTSBORO: The sophomore kicker was 7-for-7 on extra-point kicks in the Wildcats’ 49-28 Class 5A, Region 7 win over Douglas. He is now 45-of-47 on the season and 74-of-82 for his career. LUKE TERRELL, SCOTTSBORO: Blocked a punt which was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 49-28 win over Douglas in Class 5A, Region 7.