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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 4/5 Alabama men’s basketball faces Vanderbilt at Coleman Coliseum on Monday (7:30 p.m. CT) as the Crimson Tide look to bounce back in its return to Southeastern Conference play. The Tide are off to one of their best starts in SEC play in program history, as the Tide looks to improve to 9-0 for the second time under Head Coach Nate Oats and second time since the 1956-66 season (Alabama finished the year with a perfect 14-0 record).
Over recent history the Commodores and Crimson Tide have played close ball games, with the last five contests (Alabama leads 3-2) decided by an average of 6.4 points. Alabama’s Brandon Miller continues his historic season as the freshman is the only Division I player to score 400 points, record 170 rebounds and make 65 three-pointers this season.
The Broadcast
Tuesday’s game is set for a 7:30 p.m. CT tipoff and will be aired on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Daymeon Fishback (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline) on the call.
The radio broadcast can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Chris Stewart (play-by-play), Bryan Passink (analyst) and Roger Hoover (sideline) on the call, while Tom Stipe (engineer) is turning the dials. The pregame show will begin one hour prior to tipoff.
Notes You Need To Know
About Vanderbilt
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facer the book. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
BIRMINGHAM – Smiths Station’s Kylan Pace opened the Class 7A Duals Wrestling championship with a 12-6 victory over Huntsville High’s Daniel Bennett at 170 pounds, staking the Panthers to earn early 3-0 lead. It didn’t last.
The Crimson Panthers reeled off six individual wins in a row and steamrolled to a 59-6 victory over Smiths Station to capture the 2023 Class 7A Duals title on Friday at Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex. It’s the first Duals crown for Huntsville, coached by Patrick Harris, and ended Thompson’s four-year duals reign after beating the Warriors in the semifinals
“This is a cap to how we’ve been working for the last seven years to get to this spot,” Harris said.
Huntsville won its first state wrestling championship, having previously finished third “years ago,” Harris said, in the traditional state tournament. The Panthers also advanced to the Duals final for the first time this season.
Dalton Wood started Huntsville’s six-match streak by pinning Smiths Station’s Erik Short in the 182-pound weight class. Griffin McKinney (195 pounds), Todd Whitmire (222 pounds) and Kiyon Simon (106 pounds) won by decision, while Bradley Wilbourn (285 pounds) and Wallace Blue (113 pounds) earned pinfall wins.
After Smiths Station’s Tommy Luttrell earned a 6-0 decision at 120 pounds, Huntsville ended the match with six more individual match wins, including three straight pins by Brock Fields at 145 pounds, Noah Gross at 152 pounds and John McKinney at 160 pounds.
“They were fun to watch,” Harris said. “We were very physical and showed good sportsmanship, and it reflected well on the school and the community really well.”
Smiths Station, coached by Tommy Sanders, also made its first appearance in the duals championship round.
In the consolation match, Thompson defeated Enterprise 68-3. The Warriors, coached by Shawn Weltzin, recorded eight pins – Will Atkinson (106 pounds), Kiowa Vines (132 pounds), Nick Dempsey (138 pounds), Parker Edmondson (145 pounds), Paxton Miller (160 pounds), Nathan Black (182 pounds), Avery Clark (220 pounds) and Dylon Marquess (285 pounds).
For Enterprise, coached by Willie Fells, 126-pounder Grier Hunt won for the Wildcats’ only individual match victory.
The AHSAA Wrestling Duals Championships continued Friday with Class 1A/4A and Class 5A duals finals and consolation matches remaining. Sparkman also won the AHSAA Girls’ Wrestling Tournament Friday.
All matches are being live-streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform.
2023 AHSAA WRESTLING DUALS PAIRINGS/RESULTS
CLASS 7A
7A DUALS FINALS
Huntsville (28-0) 59, Smiths Station (22-4) 6
7A DUALS CONSOLATION
Thompson (25-10) 68, Enterprise (22-4) 3
CLASS 6A
6A DUALS FINALS
Mountain Brook (14-4) 32, Mortimer Jordan (31-3) 27
6A DUALS CONSOLATION
Hartselle (17-2) 36, Wetumpka (14-3) 35
CLASS 5A
5A DUALS FINALS
Jasper vs. Tallassee, at Bill Harris Arena, Friday, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m.
5A DUALS CONSOLATION
Hayden vs. Wetumpka, at Bill Harris Arena, Friday, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m.
CLASS 1A/4A
1A/4A DUALS FINALS
Dora (32-2) vs. Ranburne (23-2), at Bill Harris Arena, Friday, Jan. 20, 3:15 p.m.
1A/4A DUALS CONSOLATION
New Hope (13-1) vs. Saint James (17-3), at Bill Harris Arena, Friday, Jan. 20, 3:15 p.m.
AHSAA Wrestling Duals Finals
Class 7A Championship Match
Huntsville (28-0) 59, Smiths Station (22-4) 6
106 pounds: Kiyan Simon, Huntsville dec. Eli Sanders, Smiths Station, Maj Dec 17-4.
113 pounds: Wallace Blue, Huntsville pinned Dustin Dunbar, Smiths Station, Fall 4:20.
120 pounds: Timothy Luttrell, Smiths Station dec. Jack Carter, Huntsville, 6-0.
126 pounds: Joseph Sowell, Huntsville dec. Jaden Sanford, Smiths Station, 6-1.
132 pounds: Yanik Simon, Huntsville pinned Craig Harris, Smiths Station, Fall 1:57.
138 pounds: Jake Ciccolrella, Huntsville dec. Bryson McDonald, Smiths Ststion, MAJ Dec 16-6.
145 pounds: Brock Fields, Huntsville pinned Andrew Bryant, Smiths Station, Fall 1:18.
152 pounds: Noah Gross, Huntsville pinned Al Williams, Smiths Station, Fall 0:30.
160 pounds: John McKinney, Huntsville pinned Nathaniel Jarmon, Smiths Station, Fall 1:48.
170 pounds: Kylan Pace, Smiths Station dec. Daniel Bennett, Huntsville, 12-6.
182 pounds: Dalton Wood, Huntsville pinned Erik Short, Smiths Station, Fall 2:00.
195 pounds: Griffin McKinney, Huntsville dec. Robert Sanborn, Smiths Station,TB-1 6-4.
220 pounds: Todd Whitmire, Huntsville dec. Lance Peterson, Smiths Station, 5-2.
285 pounds: Bradley Wilburn, Huntsville pinned Ken Felder, Smiths Station, Fall 0:43.
Class 7A Consolation Match
Thompson (25-10) 68, Enterprise (22-4) 3
106 pounds: Will Arkinson, Thompson pinned Karter Stiffler, Enterprise, Fall 0:25.
113 pounds: Caleb Gray-Lowe, Thompson dec. Paxton Hanshaw, Enterprise, Maj. Dec 14-2.
120 pounds: Thomas Giere, Thompson dec. Kameron Stiffler, Enterprise, Maj. Dec 10-2.
126 pounds: Grier Hunt, Enterprise dec. Jordan Weltzin, Thompson, 2-0.
132 pounds: Kiowa Vines, Thompson pinned Samuel Bright, Enterprise, Fall 4:23.
138 pounds: Nick Dempsey, Thompson pinned Konner Galvez, Enterprise, Fall 0:46.
145 pounds: Parker Edmondson, Thompson pinned Kaemon Smith, Enterprise, Fall 1:45.
152 pounds: Devin Stone, Thompson dec. Cody Kirk, Enterprise, TB-1 7-4.
160 pounds: Paxton Miller, Thompson pinned Samuel Lynon, Enterprise, Fall 4:21.
170 pounds: Carson Freeman, Thompson dec. Kody Sigmon, Enterprise, Maj Dec 15-1.
182 pounds: Nathan Black, Thompson pinned Brandon Bethea, Enterprise, Fall 1:19.
195 pounds: Barron Criddle, Thompson dec. Marcus Holder, Enterprise, Tech Fall 16-0.
220 pounds: Avery Clark, Thompson pinned Xavier Henderson, Enterprise, Fall 1:32.
285 pounds: Dylan Marquess, Thompson won by forfeit
Class 6A Championship Match
Mountain Brook (14-4) 32, Mortimer Jordan (31-3) 27
106 pounds: Wyatt Chavez, Mountain Brook dec. Amonte Fleming, Mortimer Jordan, Mag. Dec 10-2.
113 pounds: Caleb Wright, Mortimer Jordan dec. Stephen Springfield, Mountain Brook, 9-4.
120 pounds: Aiden Morris, Mortimer Jordan dec. Christopher Brown, Mountain Brook, 6-2.
126 pounds: Brodie Christmas, Mortimer Jordan dec. Douglas Johnson, Mountain Brook, 7-6.
132 pounds: Cruz Rainwater, Mortimer Jordan pinned Bill Bradford, Mountain Brook, Fall 1:14.
138 pounds: Nathan McCain, Mountain Brook dec. John Leon, Mortimer Jordan, 5-3.
145 pounds: Caden Todoroff, Mortimer Jordan pinned Stuart Andrews, Mountain Brook, Fall 1:34.
152 pounds: Jacob Horton, Mortimer Jordan dec. Coleman Bates, Mountain Brook, 4-2.
160 pounds: Judd Smith, Mountain Brook dec. Gavin Friese, Mortimer Jordan, 8-2.
170 pounds: Conner Horton, Mortimer Jordan dec. Sam Carroll, Mountain Brook, 7-3.
182 pounds: Jack Windle, Mountain Brook dec. Weston Tossie, Mortimer Jordan, 13-1 MAJ dec.
195 pounds: Allen Baker, Mountain Brook pinned Terrence Bowie, Mortimer Jordan, Fall 2:59
220 pounds: William Courtenay, Mountain Brook pinned Jacob Anderson, Mortimer Jordan, Fall 1:00.
285 pounds: Malik Barfield, Mortimer Jordan vs. Daniel Ellis, Mountain Brook
Class 6A Championship Consolation Match
Hartselle (17-2) 36, Wetumpka (14-3) 35
106 pounds: Jacob Doshier, Hartselle pinned Eli Walsh, Wetumpka, Fall 0:56.
113 pounds: Ramon Lozada, Wetumpka) dec. Jackson Schutt Hartselle, 7-0.
120 pounds: Roman McWilliams, Wetumpka dec. Ethan Thorne, Hartselle, Tech Fall 16-0
126 pounds: Gage Roberts, Hartselle pinned Troy Watson Wetumpka), Fall 0:52.
132 pounds: Lincoln Bryant, Hartselle won by forfeit
138 pounds: Tyler Mann, Wetumpka dec. Ethan England, Hartselle, 5-1
145 pounds: Chad Strickland, Wetumpka won by forfeit
152 pounds: Payton Roberts, Hartselle dec. Zach Crostwait, Wetumpka, 8-5.
160 pounds: Gage Ownby, Hartselle pinned Melvin Owens, Wetumpka, Fall 3:50.
170 pounds: Andrii Tymchenko, Hartselle pinned Eduardo Roblero, Wetumpka), Fall 1:58.
182 pounds: Jameson Falciani, Hartselle dec. Kaleb Robinson, Wetumpka, 8-1.
195 pounds: Jason Henegar, Wetumpka pinned Sam Ashley, Hartselle, Fall 2:31.
220 pounds: Christian Preston, Wetumpka pinned Brian Holt, Hartselle, Fall 1:52.
285 pounds: Willie Cox, Wetumpka pinned Brayden Huckabee, Hartselle, Fall 2:45.
ATLANTA, Ga., – Officials with the ASUN Conference have named North Alabama’s Jacari Lane as the league’s Newcomer of the Week. The true freshman from Huntsville helped lead the Lions to a 2-0 record, including the program’s first-ever win over an SEC team when UNA defeated Ole Miss 66-65 on Dec. 20.
Lane came off the bench to average 11.5 points per game as the Lions also recorded an 83-45 home win over Williams Baptist. He scored 19 points at Ole Miss, going 9-of-12 from the floor with five assists and two steals.
The 6-0 guard picks up an ASUN weekly award for the first time in his career. He will enter conference play next week averaging 8.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He is also second on the team with 39 assist on the year.
So apparently the World Cup did NOT end last week when the US lost to
the Netherlands, but I guess it is over now, and even I will admit, they got
themselves a very good final. Now, the score is a bit deceiving at 3-3, since one
goal for each team was on a Penalty kick, called after what seemed to be, from my
highly untrained eye, very questionable fouls…but still, 4 natural goals is a
venerable scorefest in soccer, although for the life of me, I don’t understand how it
wasn’t over when Argentina scored in OT. At least that would have prevented one
of the world’s most significant sporting event being decided, once again, on Free
Throws.
Just imagine a Super Bowl being tied after an Overtime or 2, and then
being decided on a FG kicking contest. And yes, I know to you purists, that
seems like too simple of a comparison, but tell be how I am wrong? The only other
sport in the world that is decided by a skills contest is the NHL, and even the NHL,
in the playoffs, is played to it’s end. Play it out already! And make it sudden
death, not in the way Iran interprets Sudden Death, as in, like, death, but in a
sports Sudden Death.
Once the game was over, ESPN.com ran a story asking whether or not
Lionel Messi is the best men’s athlete in any sport, ever. OK, stop that.
Soccer involves occasional bursts of running, and tremendous Foot coordination.
Add hand coordination, plus a violent aspect, and football is much harder to master.
How about hockey? Skating, hand eye with a stick, and incredible toughness. More
difficult. Basketball? Come on, much more difficult. And then there is baseball…
Oh, I know, you don’t need the conditioning that you have in Soccer, but hitting a
round ball with a round bat, squarely? And then catching and throwing? Stop it!
FLORENCE, Ala. -- Former NFL receiver Samie Parker has joined Brent Dearmon's University of North Alabama football coaching staff as receivers coach.
Parker served as a quality control coach with the wide receivers at Rice University ion 2022. He previously was at Washington State University, where he served as a recruiting assistant in 2021.
"Samie will be a huge asset to our program and wide receiver room," said Dearmon. "He is a former NFL player and is known for his wide receiver development."
Parker was a standout in both football and track at Oregon from 2000-03, earning All-American honors in track. He is the Ducks’ career leader in receiving yards (2,716) while sharing the career (178) and single-season (77) reception records. He also set school bowl game records with 16 receptions for 200 yards against Minnesota to earn MVP honors in the 2003 Sun Bowl. That followed a nine-catch, 162-yard effort one year earlier against Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl.
He was a fourth-round pick out of Oregon by Kansas City in 2004 and caught 110 passes for 1,529 yards and seven touchdowns in 47 games (31 starts) over four seasons, from 2004-07, with the Chiefs. He played with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL in 2009 and 2010. He also played in the Arena Football League for three seasons, concluding his career in 2013 as a member of the Los Angeles Kiss.
He began his coaching career later in 2013 at MidAmerica Nazarene. He was the assistant wide receivers coach at Long Beach Poly High School in 2015 where he coached Jack Jones (4th round pick by New England in 2022). He worked as a coaching intern with the Chiefs in 2016 and 2018, helping develop Tyreek Hill and Demarcus Robinson as rookies in 2016 and DeAnthony Thomas in 2018.
He coached for one season at Whittier College before moving to The Spring League beginning in 2018. There, he sent five of his players on to the USFL (La'Michael Pettway, Michigan; Cam Echols-Luper and Woody Brandom, New Jersey; DelVon Hardaway & Isaiah Hennie, Pittsburgh) and saw two others make NFL practice squads: Blake Jackson (Cleveland 2018) Julian Williams (Atlanta 2019).
He has twice served on the staff of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. In 2015 he coached Jaydon Mickens (a member of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl team) while in 2022 he mentored Braylon Sanders (FA Miami Dolphins) and Dai'Jean Dixon (FA New Orleans Saints).
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football’s Will Anderson Jr. was selected as the 2022 winner of the Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday evening on the ESPN College Football Awards Show. Anderson Jr. was also tabbed as a first team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation following the event.
The junior linebacker was one of three finalists for the Bednarik and beat out Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr. and Tuli Tuipulotu of USC for this year’s honors. Anderson Jr. is now the third recipient of the Bednarik Award in Alabama history, joining Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017) and Jonathan Allen (2016). The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football as chosen by the Maxwell Football Club.a
Also announced on Thursday night was the first of five All-America teams, with the Walter Camp Football Foundation selecting Anderson Jr. as a first-team honoree on their annual list. He was also a first-teamer by the WCFF last season on his way to unanimous All-America honors.
Bednarik Award Winner | First Team All-American
Will Anderson Jr., Linebacker
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaFTBL on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaFBL on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
– UA –
HUNTSVILLE – Athletes representing nine different sports and who have etched their names in the history books locally, nationally and internationally comprise the Class of 2023 of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Adam Bass
Darrell Blackburn
David Cain
Kenyon Hambrick
Margaret Hoelzer
Turner Jackson
Holly Richards
Jared Ross
Marvin Stone
Dr. Warren Strickland
Jon Sumrall
Gary Wagner
Among the honorees are an Olympic medal winner, the first NHL player born in Alabama and the first Black athlete to play in the Alabama High School Athletic Association state championship.
The Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame banquet, presented by TOC, will be Monday, April 10, 2023 at the Von Braun Center’s South Hall. The class of 2023 was selected by a vote of the Hall of Fame board of directors after receiving nominations from the public.
The members of the Class of 2023 are: Adam Bass (baseball), Darrell Blackburn (football), David Cain (coaching/track and field), Kenyon Hambrick (football), Margaret Hoelzer (swimming), Turner Jackson (wrestling), Holly Richards (volleyball/coaching), Jared Ross (ice hockey), Marvin Stone (basketball), Dr. Warren Strickland (outdoors), Jon Sumrall (football) and Gary Wagner (football).
The Special Achievement Award will be presented to Danny Treadwell, who played one season at Butler High School and led the Rebels to the state championship, enduring the taunts of fans as he was the lone Black player on the floor at Tuscaloosa’s Foster Auditorium.
Adam Bass played for Madison Academy and UAH before pitching five years in the minors in the Arizona and San Diego systems, ending his career in Japan.
Darrell Blackburn, a Butler graduate, started at linebacker at Alabama as a freshman. However, his promising career was cut short by a degenerative kidney disease that ultimately necessitated a transplant.
David Cain, who participated in track and field and cross country at Grissom High and Mississippi State, has been the track and field and cross country coach, for both men’s and women’s teams, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville since 1998, He is an eight-time Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year and his teams have won a total of 15 GSC team titles, including the men’s track and field championship in 2022.
Kenyon Hambrick, a J.O. Johnson graduate, played wide receiver for Alabama A&M, where he caught 102 passes and scored 14 touchdowns in two seasons. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and spent two years on their practice squad, and one season in Frankfurt in NFL Europe before returning home and starring for the Tennessee Valley Vipers.
Margaret Hoelzer, a Huntsville High and Auburn graduate, won three medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing, and was also on the U.S. team in 2004. She set a world record in the 200 meter backstroke during the 2008 Olympic trials. She was a 22-time All-American and won six national titles at Auburn.
Turner Jackson, a two-time state champion at Butler High, was a two-time NCAA Division II champion at UT-Chattanooga, winning 55 consecutive matches during his final two years. He was named Tennessee’s 1976 Amateur Athlete of the Year and is in UTC’s Hall of Fame.
Holly Richards was a star volleyball player at Westminster Christian Academy and went on to become a second-team All-SEC choice at Alabama. She has coached for a quarter-century with club, college and high school teams, winning a state title at McGill-Toolen in 2004 and has won back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 at Westminster.
Jared Ross, the son of the late UAH hockey coach Doug Ross, a 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers after his UAH career and in 2008 became the first Alabama-born and raised player to appear in an NHL game. He wrapped up his pro career with five seasons in Germany.
Marvin Stone was a high school All-American at Grissom, which he led to the 1999 state championship. He signed with the University of Kentucky, then transferred to Louisville after 2 ½ years with the Wildcats, scoring 10.3 points per game for the Cardinals as a senior.
Dr. Warren Strickland, a widely respected cardiologist, has been a nationally renowned bowhunter and archer, producing a plethora of hunting-related videos and programs. He is also an active conservationist, with more than a dozen years as a member of the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board.
Jon Sumrall was a two-time All-State football selection at Grissom and lettered three years as a linebacker at the University of Kentucky. After serving as assistant coach at a number of schools, including Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tulane and San Diego, he was named head coach at Troy University last December. He led the Trojans to an 11-2 season and a Cure Bowl bid.
Gary Wagner was an All-State football player at Grissom and state wrestling championship finalist. He spent his freshman year in college at Wake Forest before transferring to Jacksonville State, where he was named All-Gulf South Conference and Little All-American.
FLORENCE, Ala. -- An Alabama native who has been a collegiate head coach and served as offensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech, Kansas, Middle Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic, Brent Dearmon has been named as the 12th head football coach at the University of North Alabama.
North Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney made the announcement Saturday, concluding a month-long national search.
UNA will officially introduce its new head football coach at a 2 p.m. press conference on Monday (December 5) in the Pierce Hospitality Suite in Flowers Hall on the UNA campus.
The public is invited.
Dearmon, a 37-year-old Saraland, Ala., native, comes to UNA after serving as offensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic during the 2022 season. He was offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State in 2021 and was offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and senior offensive consultant at the University of Kansas in 2019 and 2020.
“From the start to the end of our search process we never wavered in our expectations to hire someone who has demonstrated success as a head coach, possessed a high level of play-calling experience at the Division I level, and has displayed the ability to communicate effectively with student-athletes, the university, and the community,” said UNA Director Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. “Brent Dearmon comes from a championship football family in the state of Alabama, brings proven results in recruiting, and is regarded as an innovative offensive mind amongst his peers.
“Brent was not only on the top of our list when this search began, but he exceeds all the expectations we were seeking in the next leader of UNA Football. We are very excited to welcome Brent, Amanda (wife), Carter (11), Isabella (9), and Madden (3) to The Shoals. It’s a great day to Raise The Roar!”
"This is an exciting time for the University of North Alabama, with record enrollment, expanding academic programs and on-going facility projects," said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. "The success of our Division I athletic program is a key element of our strategic plan, and this hire is a big step in that direction. It says a lot about the success and stability of our program that Brent Dearmon will become just the 11th person to lead the Lion football program as head coach in its 74-year history.
"I want to thank Athletic Director Dr. Josh Looney, our search committee and search firm for their diligent work to bring Brent to our campus and we look forward to a bright future for Lion football."
Dearmon, who authored one of the leading books in RPO offensive strategy entitled "The Evolution of the RPO," said he is excited about the opportunity.
"My family and I are thrilled to lead such a decorated program and university into a new era," said Dearmon. "We are going to build men of toughness, with high character and give the Shoals community a product to be proud of, on and off the field. I'm excited about the vision that Dr. Kitts and Dr. Looney have for the UNA football program. It's time to Raise The Roar."
A graduate of Vigor High School, Dearmon was a four-year starting quarterback at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tenn. He then began his coaching career as a student coach at Bethel in 2007, before serving as the offensive coordinator at Vigor from 2008-10. The Wolves won the 2008 Alabama Class 5A State Championship. It was the fourth state title for the Dearmon family of coaches. His father Roger won two state titles at Vigor in 1987 and 1988 and his brother Matt helped Saraland claim a state title on Friday.
His first head coaching experience came at B.C. Rain High School for two seasons, 2011-12, before being hired as an analyst at Auburn University for the 2013-14 seasons. He served as a running backs analyst in 2013 and a wide receivers analyst in 2014 under Gus Malzahn. While he was at Auburn, the Tigers posted a combined 20-7 record, including an 11-5 mark in SEC play. The 2013 Tigers captured the SEC title en route to an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game.
He joined the staff at Arkansas Tech in 2015 as offensive coordinator under former UNA assistant coach Raymond Monica. After averaging 36.5 points in 2015 and 31.5 in 2016, Dearmon’s offense racked up 40 points per game to lead the Great American Conference. He also had a quarterback earn all-conference honors in each of his three seasons at Arkansas Tech.
In his one season as head coach at Bethel in 2018, Dearmon guided the team to the best season in school history. BU posted a 10-0 regular season mark and a No. 3 ranking, while averaging 540.3 yards and the second-highest scoring average in the country at 55.0 points per game. He was named Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year.
Dearmon then made the rare jump from the NAIA to the FBS when he joined Les Miles staff at Kansas in 2019 as a senior offensive consultant. Mid-way through the 2019 season, Dearmon took over as the program's offensive coordinator and led the team to a 24.1 scoring average and more than 400 yards of total offense per game. His Jayhawk offense churned out 569 yards of offense at Texas, then followed up with 527 yards of offense in a win over Texas Tech.
Dearmon is a 2008 Bethel graduate with a B.S. in Mathematics.
DEARMON COACHING EXPERIENCE
• 2007: Bethel College (student assistant)
• 2008-10: Vigor HS (AL) (offensive coordinator)
• 2011-12: B.C. Rain HS (AL) (head coach)
• 2013-14: Auburn (analyst)
• 2015-17: Arkansas Tech (offensive coordinator)
• 2018: Bethel College (head coach)
• 2019: Kansas (senior offensive consultant)
• 2020: Kansas (offensive coordinator)
• 2021: Middle Tennessee (offensive coordinator)
• 2022: Florida Atlantic (offensive coordinator)
All-time North Alabama Head Football Coaches
Hal Self
Durell Mock 1970-72
Mickey Andrews 1973-76
Wayne Grubb 1977-87
Bobby Wallace 1988-97
Bill Hyde
Mark Hudspeth 2002-08
Terry Bowden 2009-11
Bobby Wallace 2012-16
Chris Willis 2017-22
Ryan Held (interim) 2022
Brent Dearmon 2023-
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Hugh Freeze Named Head Football Coach at Auburn
AUBURN, Alabama—Hugh Freeze has been named the 31st head football coach in Auburn's 129-year history, Athletics Director John Cohen announced Monday. An experienced head coach at the collegiate level for 12 years, Freeze has quickly elevated each program he’s led, including Ole Miss and most recently, Liberty.
The head coach at Liberty from 2019-22, Freeze led the Flames to four bowl games and a 34-15 record. During his tenure at Liberty, he took former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis and developed him into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in 2021.
“After a thoughtful, thorough, and well-vetted search, we ended where we started, with Hugh Freeze,” Cohen said. “Of all the candidates we considered, Hugh was the best fit. Fit has several meanings, but the most important factors were student-athlete development, football strategy, recruiting and SEC experience.”
Freeze has experienced similar success at each of his head coaching stops prior to Liberty that include Lambuth University (2008-09), Arkansas State (2011) and Ole Miss (2012-16). The Oxford, Mississippi, native lead each school to double digit win seasons, while helping Ole Miss to a top 10 national finish in 2015. His on-field coaching record in 12 years is 103-47.
Freeze has nearly three decades of continued coaching success, including head coaching experience that has led to conference titles, nationally ranked recruiting classes and bowl appearances at multiple stops during his highly decorated career.
"First, I want to acknowledge Cadillac Williams for the incredible job he did as interim head coach. The impact he made is immeasurable and cannot be overstated,” Freeze said. “Secondly, Auburn is one of the preeminent programs in college football and I’m very appreciative of President Roberts and John Cohen for this opportunity at Auburn. I’ve been fortunate to witness first-hand how special Auburn is during my time as a head coach in the SEC and while visiting my daughter Jordan who attended Auburn and currently lives in the community. I can’t wait to work with our student-athletes and the Auburn family to bring championships back to the Plains.”
This season, Liberty finished the regular season 8-4 with a win at Arkansas and home versus BYU, while three of their four losses came by a combined five points.
Liberty was just one of five FBS teams in the country to win a bowl game each of the last three seasons, joining Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana. It also is the second team in NCAA history to win a bowl game during its first three full seasons at the FBS level, all coming under Freeze’s leadership.
“I’m pleased that our Athletics Director John Cohen conducted a detailed and thorough national search process, and I look forward to welcoming Hugh and Jill Freeze to the Plains,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “I am impressed with Coach Freeze’s focus on player development and his on-the-field success at multiple universities and at multiple levels.”
Freeze guided Liberty to a 10-1 overall record in 2020 and the team’s first-ever national ranking as it finished No. 17 in the country. That season Liberty had the best start in program history (8-0), tied the program record for wins (10) and defeated two Power 5 programs in Syracuse and Virginia Tech. For his efforts, Freeze was a finalist for the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award that season.
Known for his fast-paced offensive style, Freeze’s 2020 Liberty team set a school record for rushing yards in a season in 2020 (2,776) and ranked No. 9 in the country in rushing offense. Liberty also ranked No. 15 in the country in total offense (482.7 yards per game) and No. 11 in total defense (317.7 yards per game). The Flames were one of three teams in the country to rank in the top 20 in both total offense and total defense in 2020, joining Clemson and BYU.
Spearheading Liberty’s outstanding offense in 2020 was Willis who burst onto the national season leading the nation in rushing yards (944) and touchdowns (14) by a FBS quarterback. Willis earned All-America honors and was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Quarterback Class of 2020 listing was on the 2020 Maxwell Award watch list.
The Flames posted an eight-win in 2021 season after facing eight bowl-eligible teams during the 2021 season. Liberty’s defense finished the 2021 season ranked No. 7 nationally in passing yards allowed, No. 11 in total defense and No. 24 in scoring defense. Offensively, Liberty finished 2021 ranked No. 25 in the country in scoring offense and No. 8 in passing yards per completion.
Leading the charge for the Flames in 2021 once again was Willis, who had an award-winning season. The quarterback was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award and a top 10 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
While the head coach at Ole Miss, Freeze led it back to championship form during his five seasons, guiding it to bowl games during three of his five years, including wins in the 2013 Music City bowl and the 2016 Sugar Bowl.
Freeze’s time in Oxford was highlighted by a 10-3 campaign in 2015, the program’s first 10-win season since 2003. The Rebels won their first four games of the 2015 season, including a 43-37 road victory over No. 2 Alabama, Ole Miss’ first win in Tuscaloosa, since 1988.
The Rebels were ranked as high as No. 3 in the national polls in both 2014 and 2015 and finished top 10 in the country for the first time since 1969 after the Sugar Bowl win. Ole Miss was ranked in the top 25 for 45 weeks over his five-year tenure, including a string of 27-straight weeks in the polls for the first time since 1957-62.
In 2013, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) awarded Freeze the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year award. Freeze has been heavily involved with FCA during his entire coaching career and has been featured in the FCA Magazine and spoken at FCA functions. Freeze was also a finalist for the 2014 Bear Bryant Award and the 2014 Dobb Trophy.
Freeze has an eye for the nation’s most talented high school players, collecting four nationally ranked recruiting classes at Ole Miss. In 2013 and 2016, his recruiting classes ranked in the top five nationally, making them the best in program history.
Freeze and his staff developed 20 players who earned All-SEC honors, including All-Americans Cody Prewitt, Senquez Golson, Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil, Evan Engram, Laquon Treadwell and Trae Elston.
Treadwell was named Ole Miss’ first ever SEC Freshman of the Year in 2013 and became the school’s first Biletnikoff Award finalist in 2015. Nkemdiche was the first defensive lineman to be named a Hornung Award finalist. Engram won the Ozzie Newsome Award and Pop Warner College Football Award following the 2016 season.
Eleven Ole Miss players were selected in the NFL Draft during Freeze’s time as head coach, including first-rounder Engram as well as D.J. Jones, Derrick Jones and Chad Kelly hearing their names called in the latest draft. In 2016, the Rebels had three first-round draft picks in Tunsil, Treadwell and Nkemdiche.
As head coach at Arkansas State in 2011, the Red Wolves captured the Sun Belt Conference championship with a 10-2 overall record. It marked the program’s first 10-win season since 1986 and the best debut season ever by an A-State head coach. Freeze was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year, while 13 of his pupils earned all-conference honors. Freeze’s first season in Jonesboro saw him serve as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator, guiding the Red Wolves’ offense to a record-breaking year in 2010.
Prior to his arrival at Arkansas State, Freeze compiled a 20-5 record over the 2008 and 2009 seasons at the helm of the Lambuth University football program in Jackson, Tennessee. Freeze was named the American Football Coaches Association’s Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading the Eagles to their best regular season in school history with an 11-0 record.
Under Freeze’s direction, Lambuth won the Mid-South Conference West Division, advanced to the second round of the NAIA playoffs for the first time since 1999, finished the year with a 12-1 mark and ascended to the No. 6 ranking in NAIA.
Prior to taking over as head coach at Lambuth, Freeze served on the Ole Miss staff from 2005-07, including the final two seasons as an assistant coach.
Freeze served 13 years at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis as a teacher, coach and administrator. He was the Saints’ head football coach from 1995 to 2004, running the no-huddle “spread system” for six years that led to six straight state championship games.
Freeze compiled a 99-23 record while at Briarcrest, which included an undefeated season in 1996 and state championship titles in 2002 and 2004. He won six regional titles and was the Region 8-AA Coach of the Year five times and Associated Press Coach of the Year four times. Among his talented players during that period were eventual Rebels and former NFL starters Michael Oher and Greg Hardy.
Before assuming the role of head coach at Briarcrest, Freeze served as the teams’ offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from 1992-94, as the Saints reached the TSSAA state semifinals twice.
A 1988 graduate of Senatobia High School, Freeze received an associate’s degree from Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1990 and was a two-year letterwinner on the Ranger baseball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in coaching and sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1992.
It was while attending USM that he became active in mission projects, serving as a missionary in Houston, Salt Lake City, St. Petersburg, Russia and Australia. Freeze also served as the state president for the Mississippi Baptist Student Union.
Born in Oxford and raised in Independence, Mississippi, Hugh, and his wife, Jill, are the parents of three daughters: Ragan, Jordan and Madison. His daughter Jordan attended Auburn University and currently resides in Auburn.
Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze
"First, I want to acknowledge Cadillac Williams for the incredible job he did as interim head coach. The impact he made is immeasurable and cannot be overstated. Secondly, Auburn is one of the preeminent programs in college football and I’m very appreciative of President Roberts and John Cohen for this opportunity at Auburn. I’ve been fortunate to witness first-hand how special Auburn is during my time as a head coach in the SEC and while visiting my daughter Jordan who attended Auburn and currently lives in the community. I can’t wait to work with our student-athletes and the Auburn family to bring championships back to the Plains.”
Auburn Athletics Director John Cohen
“After a thoughtful, thorough, and well-vetted search, we ended where we started, with Hugh Freeze. Of all the candidates we considered, Hugh was the best fit. Fit has several meanings, but the most important factors were student-athlete development, football strategy, recruiting and SEC experience.”
Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts
“I’m pleased that our Athletics Director John Cohen conducted a detailed and thorough national search process, and I look forward to welcoming Hugh and Jill Freeze to the Plains. I am impressed with Coach Freeze’s focus on player development and his on-the-field success at multiple universities and at multiple levels.”
FREEZE AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience:
2019-22 – Liberty (Head Coach)
2018 – Arizona Hotshots (Offensive Coordinator/Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2018)
2012-16 – Ole Miss (Head Coach)
2011 – Arkansas State (Head Coach)
2010 – Arkansas State (Offensive Coordinator)
2010 – San Jose State (Offensive Coordinator/Dec. 2009 – Feb. 2010)
2008-09 – Lambuth (Head Coach)
2006-07 – Ole Miss (Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator)
2005 – Ole Miss (Assistant AD for Football External Affairs)
1995-04 – Briarcrest High School/Tenn. (High Coach)
1992-94 – Briarcrest High School/Tenn. (Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
Personal:
Education: B.S., Mathematics (Southern Miss, 1992)
Hometown: Oxford, Miss.
Wife: Jill
Children: Ragan, Jordan and Madison
Career Coaching Honors:
2020 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year finalist
2013 Grant Teaff FCA Coach of the Year
2011 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year
2009 AFCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year
2009 Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year
5-Time Region 8-AA Coach of the Year
4-Time Associated Press High School Coach of the Year
97.7 ESPN The Zone the top rated sports radio station in the rocket city has teamed up with Talent Heating and Air to help spread some holiday cheer and they invite you to join in on the fun.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday December 14th as it will be a night to relax, enjoy some good food thanks to Bubby's Diner, and test your mini-golf skills. Flow Indoor Trampoline Park will play host to the 97.7 ESPN The Zone Toy Drive presented by Talent Heating and Air.
Want to enjoy the fun? Just bring a toy or a cash donation and you can enjoy all the fun Flow Indoor Trampoline has to offer. All donations will go to Toys for Tots a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Again, circle Wednesday December 14th, from 4pm-8pm on your calendar as we want to see you and your families for some holiday fun.
97.7 ESPN The Zone is North Alabama's ESPN affiliate that is the home to three local daily shows, Talkin Ball with Scott Theisen and Drew DeArmond, The Thom Abraham Show with Chad Gwathey and the Drive with Wes Neighbors and Steve Moulton.
2023 JACK FROST CLASSIC
Have you ever wanted to test your chess skills? We'll here's your chance! Sign up now to take part in the first edition of the Jack Frost Classic. The inaugural chess tournament will take place January 28th at the Madison Public Library.
Click the link below to register today!
Starting Monday November 7th 97.7 ESPN The Zone will change it's weekday lineup to bolster what is already the best live lineup in the Tennessee Valley. Making the move will be the Chuck Oliver Show and the Thom Abraham Show.
Beginning Monday 97.7 ESPN The Zone listeners will be able to hear The Chuck Oliver Show live from 10am-Noon with The Thom Abraham Show coming your way live from Noon-2pm.
"We are excited to be able to bring our listeners eleven hours of live sports talk each week day with six hours of live local sports programming for our listeners to enjoy " Says 97.7 ESPN The Zone program Director Steve Moulton.
"Making a change to the Noon hour is an easy choice for the show" Says host Thom Abraham. "I have full confidence in our listeners that they will enjoy this time change as we'll be able to take The Thom Abraham Show to the public with live lunchtime remotes"
So make sure and tune into 97.7 ESPN The Zone starting Monday as the top rated Sports Radio Station brings you eleven hours of live sports talk each weekday.
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CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Westminster Christian 3, Arab 0
BIRMINGHAM – Senior Meg Paparella opened strong with six of her match-high 19 kills in the first set as Westminster Christian downed a fierce Arab team 25-23, 26-24, 25-13 to claim the AHSAA 2022 Class 5A state volleyball championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena Wednesday.
For Coach Holly Richards and her Wildcats, it was the second state title in a row. Westminster (47-9) won the 4A crown in 2021, moved to Class 5A this season and closed strong to claim the state crown in their new classification.
Paparella was named the Class 5A state tourney MVP finishing with nine digs. Callie Tanielu added 13 kills and five digs, and setter Paislee Shelton distributed 34 assists. Brianna Tinsley also served three aces.
Arab (49-14) was playing in the school’s first-ever state volleyball championship match. The Lady Knights of Coach Amy Hudson played toe-to-toe with the Wildcats in the first set but found themselves down 21-10 in the second set. Arab then reeled off nine straight points to cut the margin to 21-19. Westminster persevered the rally to win 26-24 and found off another Arab rally in the final set to claim the title.
Laney Kelley had 16 kills and Karli Walker had eight for Arab. Setter Amy McFerrin had 37 assists, Sami Kate Hudson had a match high 13 digs, andSydney Ferguson served two aces.
The AHSAA State Volleyball Championships continue today with the Class 1A, 2A, and 4A title matches at Bill Harris Arena. Classes 3A, 6A and 7A opened play today at the CrossPlex arena with quarterfinal and semifinal matches. The 52nd annual state tournament closes out Thursday with state finals in those three classes at Bill Harris Arena.
All the matches in both sites are being live streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-Based platform with veteran broadcaster Jerry Young handling the play-by-play.
2022 Class 5A All-State Tourney Team
Meg Paparella, Westminster (MVP); Calli Tanielu, Westminster; Paislee Shelton, Westminster; Anna McFerrin, Arab; Laney Kelley, Arab; Addi Vinson, Montgomery Academy.
AHSAA ACHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 5A
Westminster Christian (47-9) 3, vs. Arab (49-14) 0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-13 -) – Westminster is 5A State Champs
CLASS 1A
Addison (45-10) vs. Covenant Christian (36-18) or Meek (22-23), Wed., 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Donoho (42-14) vs. Pleasant Valley (35-15), Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Trinity Presbyterian (43-10) vs. Montgomery Catholic (29-10), Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 4:30 p.m.
Class 1A, 2A, 4A, 5A Semifinals
Finals Set for 4 Classes as 52nd Elite 8 State Championships Complete First Day’s Action
BIRMINGHAM – Arab High School toppled Montgomery Academy in one semifinal game Tuesday, and Westminster Christian beat Gulf Shores in the other semifinal as both teams advance to the 52nd annual AHSAA Elite 8 Class 5A State Volleyball Championship game, which will be played at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bill Harris Arena adjacent to the Birmingham CrossPlex.
In Class 1A, Addison and Covenant Christian posted semifinal victories over Spring Garden and Meek, respectively, Tuesday to advance to Wednesday’s Class 1A championship game at 12:30 p.m.
The Class 2A and Class 4A finals were set Tuesday. Two schools from Calhoun County, Donoho and Pleasant Valley, emerged with semifinal wins over G.W. Long and Bayshore Christian, respectively. The two rivals will meet in the 2A finals at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. And in Class 4A, a rematch between last year’s Class 3A finalists came to fruition when Montgomery Catholic downed Orange Beach and Trinity Presbyterian beat Deshler. That final, set for 4:30 p.m., will also set up a husband-wife final for the second straight year. Sarah Dubberley is the Trinity head coach, and her husband Sellers Dubberley coaches Catholic.
Class 3A, 6A and 7A open play Wednesday at the CrossPlex with those finals set for Bill Harris Arena Thursday. All matches are being live streamed over the NFHS Network’s school broadcast platform. Veteran announcer Jerry Young will be handling the play-by-play for all championship games. For more information, go to www.nfhsnetwork.com.
CLASS 5A SEMIFINALS
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN 3, GULF SHORES 0
The Wildcats (46-9), last year’s Class 4A state champs, earned the chance for a repeat, albeit in Class 5A this year. The powerful front line of Coach Holly Richards dominated the semifinal straight-set 25-19, 25-13, 25-17 win over Gulf Shores.
Calli Tanielu totaled 18 kills and Meg Paparella had 15 to lead Westminster. The duo also combined for seven blocked shots, 24 digs and five service aces. Setter Paislee Shelton dished out 37 assists and had eight digs, and libero Rylee Sexton had 16 digs.
Gulf Shores (39-18), coached by Karen Atkins, was led by Lily Zlab with 13 kills and eight blocks. Julia Fisher added five kills and five blocks, and Macey Moore also had an outstanding game at setter.
ARAB 3, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY 0
The Knights (49-13) advanced to the state finals with the 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23 win over Montgomery Academy Tuesday at the CrossPlex. Laney Kelley and Karli Walker had 15 and 13 kills, respectively, for Arab, coached by Amy Hudson.
Sami Kate Hudson had 19 digs and eight kills, Sydney Ferguson added six digs and eight kills, and setter Anna McFerrin had 42 assists, two aces and six digs. Libero Marisa Pope managed 21 digs.
Caroline McDaniel had 22 kills and 12 digs to lead Montgomery Academy (44-7), coached by Julie Gordon. Elle McBride also had 12 kills, libero Parker Shegon totaled 29 digs and setter Addi Vinson had 46 assists, 18 digs and a team-high four blocks.
CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS
MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC 3, ORANGE BEACH 0
The Knights (29-10) were paced by setter Maria Schwarz. She had 35 assists and six service aces in the 25-13, 25-17, 25-17 win over Orange Beach.Allyse Rudolph totaled 14 kills, five blocks, four digs and four aces, and Lennon McAnnally had eight kills and eight digs. Libero Mally Barranco had three aces, four assists and 10 digs.
Orange Beach (33-11), coached by Sunne Young, closed out its first season in Class 4A in the semifinals. Outside hitter Amelia Edgeworth had 15 kills, libero Leyni Young had 15 digs, and Ensley Keel had 28 assists at setter.
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN 3, DESHLER 0
Setter Addison Cherry had 39 assists as the Wildcats (43-10), last year’s Class 3A state champs, moved into the 4A championship match with a 28-26, 25-10, 25-15 victory over Deshler (45-6). Emma Moody had 17 kills and four blocks, Reese Patterson had nine kills, Holland Williams added six kills and three blocks, and Isabel Hill had 12 digs and three aces for Trinity, coached by Sarah Dubberley.
Chloe Siegal had 10 kills, seven digs and 10 assists to lead Deshler, coached by Jana Killen. Outside hitters Ava Siegal and Cooper Thompson added eight and seven kills, respectively. Haley Goodloe contributed three blocks, six digs and six assists.
CLASS 2A SEMIFINALS
PLEASANT VALLEY 3, BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN 0
The Raiders (35-15), coached by Dana Bryant, advanced to the finals to take on Calhoun County rival Donoho Wednesday at Bill Harris Arena with a straight-set25-21, 25-17, 25-14 win over Bayshore Christian. It will be the sixth match this season between Donoho and Pleasant Valley Wednesday. Donoho is 4-1 in the previous five meetings.
Outside hitter Allie Bryant had 22 kills and 17 digs for Pleasant Valley, coached by her mother Dana Bryant. Middle hitter Lily Henry totaled 13 kills, three blocks and 10 digs, Maddie Schwabe contributed 31 assists and 11 digs, and her sister Madison Schwabe had 15 digs and four kills.
Bayshore Christian (22-22) was led by senior Ashlyn Whiteside’s seven kills and two blocks. The Eagles of Coach Dave Omtvfedt, playing in Class 2A for the first time, won the 1A state title in 2020 and finished runner-up in 2021 – playing Donoho each time.
DONOHO 3, G.W. LONG 0
Setter Samantha Wakefield had 32 assists, 13 digs and three kills in the 25-17, 25-7, 25-19 win over G.W. Long (29-11). Teammate Lily Grace Draper had 13 kills, Mary Marshall Perry had nine kills and Ansley Simmons had seven. Estella Connell chipped in six kills and four blocks.
The Falcons will be vying for their 13th state title overall in Wednesday’s finals. Donoho, coached by Anna Taylor, won the Class 1A state crown in 2021 and moved up to 2A this season.
G.W. Long (42-13), coached by Craig Long, was led by Emma Claire Long. She finished with 12 kills and 12 digs. Libero Ainsley Watts had 14 digs andSawyer Hughes, an eighth grader, managed 15 assists and nine digs. Maleah Long added 10 assists and three kills.
CLASS 1A SEMIFINALS
COVENANT CHRISTIAN 3, MEEK 1
The Eagles (35-18) of Coach Allyson Estave won a hard-fought 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21) semifinal match over Meek to advanced to Wednesday’s state finals.
Ashlee Gann had 29 kills to lead Covenant Christian. Ella Estave added 13 digs and Zoe Griffin had nine kills.
Meek finished its season 21-24. No Meek statistics were available from the semifinals.
ADDISON 3, SPRING GARDEN 0
The Bulldogs (45-10) of Coach Kaydi Woodard downed Spring Garden 25-19, 25-18, 25-13) to move into the finals Wednesday. Senior setter Gracie Manley had 37 assists to lead Addison. Dacey Baker also had 11 kills, Abby Waldrep had nine, Katie Barrett had seven plus five aces, and Bailey Ory had 13 digs.
Spring Garden (41-15), coached by Ricky Austin, was led by Ace Austin’s 13 kills and Avery Steward’s 21 assists.
AHSAA 52nd ELITE EIGHT STATE
VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Birmingham CrossPlex & Bill Harris Arena
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
CLASS 1A
QUARTERFINALS
Spring Garden (41-14) 3, Pleasant Home (18-13) 0 (25-8, 25-18, 25-16)
Addison (44-10) 3, Kinston (16-16) 0 (25-3, 25-10, 25-5)
Covenant Christian (35-18) 3, Brantley (25-12) 1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-9)
Meek (21-23) 3, University Charter School (25-8) 0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-21)
SEMIFINALS
Addison (45-10) 3, Spring Garden (41-15) 0 (25-19, 25-18, 15-13)
Covenant Christian (35-18) 3, Meek (21-24) 1 (21-25, 25-28, 25-21, 25-21)
1A FINALS
Addison (45-10) vs. Covenant Christian (36-18) or Meek (22-23), Wed., 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Lindsay Lane (23-25) vs. G.W. Long (28-10)
Washington County (22-5) vs. Donoho (41-14)
Pleasant Valley (34-15) 3, Tuscaloosa Academy (20-10) 0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-20)
Bayshore Christian (22-21) 3, Fyffe (21-28) 0 (25-22, 25-11, 25-16)
SEMIFINALS
Donoho (42-14) 3, G.W. Long (28-12) 0 (25-17, 25-7, 25-19)
Pleasant Valley (35-15) 3, Bayshore Christian (22-22) 0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-14)
2A CHAMPIONSHIP
Donoho (42-14) vs. Pleasant Valley (35-15), Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
QUARTERFINALS
Trinity Presbyterian (42-10) 3, Madison County (32-20) 0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-23)
Deshler (45-5) 3, Satsuma (22-14) 0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-23)
Orange Beach (33-10) 3, Priceville (28-14) 0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19)
Montgomery Catholic (29-10) 3, West Morgan (40-15) 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-16)
SEMIFINALS
Trinity Presbyterian (43-10) 3, Deshler (45-6) 0 (28-26, 25-10, 25-10)
Montgomery Catholic (29-10) 3, Orange Beach (33-11) 0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-17)
4A CHAMPIONSHIP
Trinity Presbyterian (43-10) vs. Montgomery Catholic (29-10), Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 4:30 p.m.
CLASS 5A
QUARTERFINALS
Gulf Shores (39-17) 3, Jasper (52-11) 2 (19-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-17, 15-11)
Westminster Christian (45-9) 3, Providence Christian (20-26) 0 (25-15, 25-9, 25-12)
Arab (48-13) 3, Faith Academy (27-19) 0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-14)
Montgomery Academy (44-6) 3, Lawrence County (35-24) 1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21)
SEMIFINALS
Westminster Christian (46-9) 3, Gulf Shores (39-18) 0 (25-19, 25-13), 25-17)
Arab (49-13) 3, Montgomery Academy (44-7) 1 (25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23)
5A CHAMPIONSHIP
Westminster Christian (46-9) vs. Arab (49-13), Bill Harris Arena, Wednesday., 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
at CrossPlex
CLASS 3A
QUARTERFINALS
Geraldine (32-16) vs. Prattville Christian (35-19), 9 a.m.
Opp (13-17) vs. Ohatchee (32-16), 9 a.m.
Houston Academy (23-14) vs. Plainview (61-11), 9 a.m.
Susan Moore (48-10) vs. St. Luke’s Episcopal (40-12), 9 a.m.
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, p.m.
4A CHAMPIONSHIP
Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 6A
Hazel Green (39-21) vs. Bayside Academy (50-13) , Wed., 10:30 a.m.
Northridge (36-14) vs. Mountain Brook (49-12) , Wed., 10:30 a.m.
Pelham (38-16) vs. Hartselle (34-13) , Wed., 10:30 a.m.
Oxford (24-2) vs. Spanish Fort (44-16), Wed., 10:30 a.m.
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, 6 p.m.
4A CHAMPIONSHIP
Bill Harris Arena, Wed., 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 7A
QUARTERFINALS
Sparkman (45-12) vs. St. Paul’s Episcopal (34-12), Wed., noon
Auburn (22-15) vs. Bob Jones (46-10) , Wed., noon
Enterprise (41-8) vs. Hoover (35-16) , Wed., noon
Huntsville (34-13) vs. McGill-Toolen Catholic (48-8) , Wed., noon
SEMIFINALS
CrossPlex, Wednesday, 5 p.m.
4A CHAMPIONSHIP
Bill Harris Arena, Thursday, 2 p.m.
Offense:
Photo Courtesy SEC Media Portal
MVP: RB Jahmyr Gibbs
The junior transfer from Georgia Tech had his second straight huge game for the Crimson Tide. Gibbs finished the night with 21 rushes for 154 yards and added another 13 yards on 3 receptions to finish with 24 touches for 167 total offensive yards. Much like Jameson Williams around this time a year ago, the 5-11, 200-pounder is hitting his stride with his new squad toward midseason. The Dalton, Georgia, native is AVERAGING 8.3 yards per carry the University of Alabama during the 2022 season: 64 carries 532 yards 2 TDs. As a receiver: 22 catches 220 yards 3 TDs. IMPACT.
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
Newcomer Game Ball: WR Jermaine Burton
The portal addition from Georgia finished the contest with three catches for 48 yards & a score. The touchdown, from 35 yards on a slant thrown by Milroe on a perfectly executed RPO, turned out to be the most explosive pass play of the night for the Crimson Tide. The native of Calabasas, California, made the big play catch-and-run at the 5:33 mark of the 2nd quarter to help Alabama reclaim the lead for good 14-7 inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Center Seth McLaughlin
The Redshirt junior from Buford, Georgia, made his 2nd straight SEC start vs Texas A&M this past Saturday in Tuscaloosa for the banged up Darion Dalcourt. Even though the offense struggled with 4 turnovers (3 lost fumbles & an INT), once again the offensive line showed improvement. In the last two SEC games on the road at Arkansas and at home against Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide OL has gained 603 yards rushing on 93 attempts with 5 TDs averaging nearly 6.5 yards per carry with McLaughlin in the pivot. Much of this running game has developed with Bryce Young out of the lineup. This could be a silver lining that could make this offense even more dangerous and have the balance that will be difficult for the rest of the SEC to stop.
Defense:
Photo Courtesy of 247Sports
Co-MVP: Jack Linebacker Will Anderson
For Anderson modest stat line of only 2 tackles, (1 solo) and 1 TFL. But here is the real statistic to tell you how he impacted the game: 8 Quarterback pressures which is one off the school record of nine by the legendary Derrick Thomas. The junior’s late pressure vs. Haynes King definitely contributed to the 24-20 Crimson Tide victory & no question helped the secondary hold up in coverage (Terrion Arnold).
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Co-MVPs: Dallas Turner & Chris Braswell
The sophomore Turner and Junior Braswell
combined for 5 tackles (4 solo), 3 sacks, & 3 TFL. The “Cheetah” package was very effective against the Aggies on Saturday night. This helped create 14 total pressures on Haynes King & led to the 3 sacks & 1 INT by Terrion Arnold. At several points during the game on third down Anderson and Braswell lined up on the same side to rush the passer with Dallas Turner lined up on the opposite side. Not sure how much of a factor this will be against Tennessee due to their tempo but it is something to watch for Saturday, especially on 3rd down.
Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
Newcomer Game Ball: Will Linebacker Deontae Lawson
The redshirt freshman from Mobile got his first start in Crimson this past Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Jaylen Moody was out with a bruised kidney. Lawson responded with 5 tackles (3 solo) providing quality production due to the loss of the senior Moody.
Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics
Unsung Hero: Nickel Brian Branch
The junior led the team in tackles with 9 (5 solo) with two TFL & two passes defensed from his star position in the nickel package. He was called for interference in the end zone late to set up the final snap but our other unsung hero read the lips of the head coach and was ready for the last play.
Photo courtesy of 247Sports
Unsung Hero: Cornerback Terrion Arnold
As mentioned above the redshirt freshman played extremely well for Alabama against the Aggies on Saturday night inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Florida native finished with eight tackles (second on the team to Branch above), 4 solo stops & 1 pass defensed along with the first interception of his career. Arnold held up in coverage on the last snap of the game as Haynes King targeted Evan Stewart near the goal line. Coverage was tight and the past fell incomplete to give the Crimson Tide the hard fought victory.
Special Teams:
Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
MVP: Punter James Burnip
The redshirt sophomore from Australia had a very solid night averaging nearly 42 yards per boot on 4 punts with a long of 48 with two downed inside the 20 yard line. Special mention for the kick coverage units who were also very solid and did not allow Devon Achane much, if any, room to return the football. The explosive Junior, who took a kickoff back for a key touchdown in the upset at Kyle Field last year, was held to 13 yards on his only return on the night.
Photo courtesy of Arion Carter (Twitter)
Two of the top linebacker targets left on the Alabama recruiting board visited Tuscaloosa for the night matchup with Texas A&M. One was Arion Carter of Smyrna, Tennessee. The Memphis commitment has been one of the fastest rising seniors in the country and Alabama has a need for 2-3 prospects to join Juco product Justin Jefferson. Check out Carter’s outstanding senior film here:
https://www.hudl.com/profile/
Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated
The other top target to visit is the #1 prospect in the Magnolia State: Suntarine Perkins of Raleigh, Mississippi. The versatile athlete plays both sides of the ball much like Carter but ultimately projects at linebacker. Perkins admitted during this visit that he & his family grew up Alabama fans. But he has been committed to Ole Miss for many months and has family ties to the Rebels in former WR Donte Moncrief. It was speculated heavily that he almost flipped to Alabama during the summer. Lane Kiffin and his staff seemed to firm him up and many around that program still believe the elite athlete signs with Ole Miss. This is definitely a situation to monitor until December.
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Next Up For 3rd-ranked Alabama: The Crimson Tide and Bryce Young are on the road (with ESPN College Gameday in town) at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN for a 2:30 PM kickoff on CBS Sports.
Prediction: Alabama 45 Tennessee 27
Bob Jones Quarterback Ray Hardy Delivers in a Big Way
as Battle of Coaching Brothers Grabs AHSAA Spotlight
MONTGOMERY – Bob Jones High School senior quarterback Rayshawn Hardy accounted for 392 total yards and six touchdowns as the Patriots downed Sparkman 48-40 in a key Class 7A, Region 8 football clash played last Friday in Madison County that featured brothers serving as head coaches on the opposite sidelines.
Hardy, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior, ran for 157 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries and completed 18- of-21 passes for 235 yards and a TD asCoach Kelvis White got the coaching win over his brother LaRon White. The brothers are the sons of retired AHSAA Hall of Fame Courtland football coach Louis White and the nephew of Central-Courtland coaching legend Hoover White, also a member of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. The current coaches have met four times in their head-coaching careers with Kelvis holding a 3-1 edge. His Patriots are 2-1 in three meetings between Sparkman and Bob Jones, and he on the only meeting Mae Jemison and Tanner (2016) with the brothers served as head coaches at those two schools.
Laron White owns 181-58 career record in 20 seasons with back-to-back state titles at Tanner in 2012 and 2013. Kelvis White is 76-81 overall in his 15th year as a head coach. Laron is in his sixth season at Sparkman and Kelvis is in his third year at Bob Jones. Krlvis helped Homewood win back-to-back state titles in 2004 and 2005. The brothers played on the 1991 Courtland state championship team together and were reunited at the University of Alabama in 1996 when Kelvis was a freshman and Laron was a senior.
Their uncle Hoover White, now deceased, was a charter member of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 1991. Louis Whitewas inducted in the Class of 2003. Another brother Mylun White was a career coach and educator who moved into administration as principal at Courtland High School. He passed away due to COVID in 2020 at the age of 74.
Hardy’s Spotlight performance came in what was most exciting game in the Bob Jones-Sparkman series history. The Patriots improved to 32-18 in the series with the win as both teams combined for the most points (88) in the 50-game history between the two schools. Sparkman’s 40 points represent the most points scored by the losing team in the series. Both schools still can control their own playoff destinies. With the win over the Senators, Bob Jones (4-3) improved to 3-2 in Region 4 with two region games left – with Region 4 leader Austin (6-2), who is 5-0, at home this Friday and a road game at Albertville (1-6) Oct. 21. Sparkman ((4-3) is 2-3 in region play and takes on Huntsville (4-3) Thursday night in the AHSAA TV Network/WOTM TV Game of the Week. The Panthers are tied in the region standings at 3-2 with Bob Jones. James Clemens is still the playoff watch as well with a 2-3 region record and region games with Albertville and Grissom (2-5) remaining.
Hardy’s performance also edged out four other outstanding efforts that merged in Week 7 – strong performances by the current AHSAA rushing leaderEli Frost of Fairview; two 400-yar plus passing performances by Westminster Christian’s Brandon Much and G.W. Long’s Bryson Hughes; and an amazing pass-catching effort by two-way player Isaiah Warnick of Falkville.
Frost ran for 381 yards and seven touchdowns on 28 carries to lead the Class 5A Fairview (6-1) to a 55-13 win over Brewer in Class 5A, Region 8. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior is averaging 274.4 yards per game and 12.0 yards per carry this season compiling 1,924 yards on 160 carries with 33 rushing touchdowns. He has rushed for four or more touchdowns in each of Fairview’s seven games. The Aggies (6-1) are tied with Russellville at 4-0 in Region 8 and are scoring 44.9 points per game. The two teams meet October 21 at Fairview.
Musch, Westminster Christian’s junior quarterback, was 33-of-53 passing for 406 yards and five touchdowns and rushed 18 times for 166 yards and rushed for four TDs on runs of 37, 8, 5 and 12 yards to lead the Wildcats (5-2) to a 70-42 Class 4A, Region 8 win over Madison County in Class 4A, Region 8. His 572 total yards ranks 12th best all time according to the AHSAA Record Book. He also owns the 11th best single game (577 yards) set in a 70-69 loss to Central-Florence earlier this season. Southside-Selma’s Christopher Thomas set the single-game total offense record last season with 698 yards in a 40-16 win over Class 5A Selma. He had 575 yards passing and 123 yards rushing in that game.
Hughes, the quarterback for Class 2A G.W. Long (5-2) of Skipperville, complete 23-of-35 passes for a school-record 439 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Rebels to a 35-28 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Cottonwood.
Warnick, who is senior at Falkville (4-3), hauled in seven passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns on offense, made five tackles, recovered a fumble, and had three interceptions on defense in a 28-6 win over Red Bay in Class 2A, Region 8.
Other top performances reported from Week 7 include:
MILESTONES
DEMETRIUS JONES, COLBERT COUNTY: Had touchdown runs of 68 and 29 yards and finished with 141 yards on 16 carries as the Indians beat Colbert Heights 28-12 in Class 3A, Region 8. The game was dedicated to the memory of long-time Colbert County head football coach Don Creasy, who passed away last week at the age of 79. The fieldhouse at C.T. Manley Stadium where Colbert County plays its home games is named in honor of Coach Creasy, who played for Manley at Leighton, later worked for Manley as an assistant coach, then directed the football program as head coach from 1978-1989 compiling a 126-26-1 record and winning two state titles. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
ALEX MASON, EAST LIMESTONE: The senior scored four touchdowns, including two kickoff returns 83 and 80 for scores, in a 54-13 win over Lawrence County in Class 5A, Region 8. He also had 12 rush attempts for 62 yards and two TDs. His two kickoff returns for touchdowns earned him a place in the AHSAA Record Book as the 21st player in state history to accomplish that record-setting feat. Evan Taylor of Guntersville became the 20th player to tie the record earlier this season. John Arnett of Coffee Springs in 1971 became the first player on record to score TDs on two kickoff returns in a single game – 51 years ago.
COLE McCONATHY, SPANISH FORT: The 6-foot-6, 220-pound junior defensive end recorded what appears to be a state record seven sacks in last week’s 33-24 win over McGill-Tool3n Catholic in Class 6A, Region 1. The AHSAA Record Book has no previous listing and neither does the NFHS National Record Book. The national record was set in 2014 when Cesar Chavez High School of Laveen (AZ) beat Maryvale (AZ) 61-6. Chavez had 18 sacks in the game, according to published reports and 6-foot-4, 210-pound linebacker Hamilcar Rashed registered 10.
ELIJAH HALL, B.T. WASHINGTON: Was 8-for-11 passing for 165 yards and two passing touchdowns as the junior quarterback directed the Golden Eagles (4-3) to a 36-21 win over Montgomery Academy. He ran 11 times for 159 yards and had five tackles and an interception on defense as BTW (4-3) picked up its fourth region win of the season for the first time in school history. Coach Lawrence Oneal’s team is third in this week’s Class 4A, Region 2 standings at 4-1 – behind Andalusia (8-0) and Montgomery Catholic (8-0), both tied at the top at 4-0. BTW is on the verge of clinching just its second playoff berth in school history.
BRODIE HICKS, FYFFE: Had just three carries but rushed for 104 yards with touchdown runs of 64 and 34 yards as the Red Devils (7-0) of Coach Paul Benefield beat Sand Rock 70-14 in Class 2A, Region 7. Hicks also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the win. The 70 points scored are the most ever for Fyffe in its school history. The record-setting total came in the school’s 893rd game overall since its first season in 1933 and the 329th coaching win for Benefield, who is now 329-55 overall and 284-44 at Fyffe in 26 seasons. His 284 wins at Fyffe ranks third all-time for most wins at one school. Buddy Anderson set the record with 346 wins in 43 seasons at Vestavia Hills High School, and Jamie Riggs won 293 of his 316 coaching victories at T.R. Miller High School.
RUSHING
ALVIN HENDERSON, ELBA: Amassed 383 yards rushing on 26 carries and scored six touchdowns in the unbeaten Tigers’ 62-28 Class 1A, Region 2 win over Georgiana. His TD runs included two that went for 21, 31 65 and 90 yards.
KANE LAWSON, WEST END: Rushed for 285 yards on seven carries for a 40.7 yard-per-carry average and scored two touchdowns in a 49-20 Class 2A, Region 6 game versus Holly Pond.
ISAIAH HUTCHERSON, GENEVA COUNTY: Ran for 244 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries on offense and added five tackles on defense in a 34-12 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Zion Chapel.
TERRENCE ROBINSON, BUCKHORN: Lifted the Bucks to a 38-20 win over Lee-Huntsville in Class 6A, Region 8 with 163 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 24 carries. His TD runs covered 1, 7 and 3 yards.
CHRISTIAN MOSE, ALMA BRYANT: Gained 172 yards rushing and scored five touchdowns in a 55-32 Class 7A, Region 1 loss to Foley. He scored on runs of 2, 6, 3, 5 and 42 yards.
COLE GAMBLE, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Had 11 carries for 154 yards and three TDs and caught two passes for 52 yards as the Spartan (6-1) improved to 4-0 in Class 6A, Region 5 with a 35-6 victory over Parker.
His TD runs covered 4, 72 and 6 yards.
J.R. GARDNER, GULF SHORES: Had nine rush attempts for 151 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Dolphins to a 49-3 win over Elberta in Class 5A, Region 1. Gulf Shores’ 7-1 start is the best in school history.
LANE LAWSON, WEST END: Ran for 285 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-26 Class 2A, Region 6 victory over Holly Pond.
DONALD HARRIS, JEFF DAVIS: Had a career-high 255 yards rushing on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Vols fell to Prattville 38-20 in Class 7A, Region 2.
LAMARRION McCAMMON, HOOVER: Helped the Bucs (7-1) remain undefeated in Class 7A, Region 3 with 253 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 25 carries as Hoover beat Tuscaloosa County 31-13. The Bucs and Thompson are both 5-0 and are tied for the Region 3 lead.
JOSH GRIFFIN, TALLASSEE: Ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries and also had a sack on defense as the streaking Tigers (4-4) improved to 2-2 in Class 5A, Region 4 with a 25-7 win over Valley.
TYILER NELSON, GARDENDALE: Piled up 207 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 22 carries as the Rockets beat Minor 34-3 in 6A, Region 5.
MASON CARTEE, PRICEVILLE: Total 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries in a 41-14 win over North Jackson in Class 4A, Region 8.
LEGION McCRARY, PISGAH: Ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a 41-14 win over North Sand Mountain.
BRADY MOORE, CLEMENTS: Ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, threw a TD pass, caught a touchdown pass and recorded eight tackles, including two for a loss, in a 46-18 win over Elkmont.
DE’AIR YOUNG, AUSTIN: Recorded five touchdowns -- four rushing and one passing -- in a 41-33 win over James Clemens in Class 7A, Region 4. The Black Bears (6-2) of Coach Jeremy Perkins improved to 5-0 in the region and took over first place in the Region 4 standings with two region games remaining.
PASSING
JACK HAYES, PIEDMONT: Completed 17-of-25 passes for 345 yards and five touchdowns – to four different receivers – as the defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs downed Glencoe 45-10 in Region 6.
GRAY JENNINGS, OPP: Was 19-of-27 passing for 317 yards and three touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Daleville 33-7 in Class 3A, Region 2.
PAUL ANDRZEJEWSKI, ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Connected with receiver Cody Johnson for three touchdown passes in the final quarter to lift the Falcons (2-5) to their first Class 4A, Region 8 win of the season in a come-from-behind 27-20 win over New Hope 27-20. The Indians (4-3) led 20-7 heading into the final quarter. Andrzejewski, who finished 17-of-24 passing for 282 yards, then connected with Johnson for TDs of 4, 70 and 4 yards on three consecutive drives in the final quarter. Johnson finished with seven receptions for 74 yards, and Tyler Sottolano caught passes for 115 yards.
AIDEN COX, ARAB: Passed for 273 yards and four touchdowns on a 14-of-18 passing effort as the Knights downed Boaz 56-17 in Class 5A, Region 7. His TD passes covered 47, 30, 84 and 21 yards.
ACE ASHLEY, SAND ROCK: Was 22-of-38 passing for 259 yards in as 70-14 Class 2A, Region 7 loss to unbeaten Fyffe.
CARSON CREEHAN, MADISON ACADEMY: Completed 10-of-11 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Vinemont in Class 3A, Region 7.
TREMELL WASHINGTON, RAMSAY: Making his second start of the season for the Rams, he completed 13-of-15 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, as Ramsay beat John Carroll Catholic 56-7 in Class 5A, Region 5. Washington also rushed for 81 yards and another score. All the scoring was done in the first half in the contest played at Birmingham’s legendary Legion Field.
JABARI COLLIER, CENTER POINT: Had 311 total yards to led the Eagles (7-1) past Pinon Valley 29-22 in Class 6A, Region 6 with a 9-of-15 passing effort for 131 yards and 16 rush attempts for 180 yards and two TDs. Central Point improved to 4-1 in the region.
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Was 13-of-22 for 225 yards and four touchdowns as the Wolverines beat Wetumpka 33-13 in Class 6A, Region 2.
ANDY GARRIS, ARITON: Completed 8-of-18 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-0 win over Abbeville in Class 2A, Region 2.
JARED HOLLINS, MARY MONTGOMERY: Passed for 195 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings (4-4) snapped a 12-game losing streak to Mobile County rival Baker with a 37-20 win over the Hornets in Class 7A, Region 1. The Vikings won 24-21 in 2009 and Baker reeled off 12 straight wins. Mary Montgomery still holds the edge in the series with a 31-26-2 edge dating back to the series’ first game in 1951.
JAQUES THOMPSON, SIDNEY LANIER: Was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 169 yards and three touchdowns as the Poets beat Stanhope Elmore 41-17 in Class 6A, Region 2. Mustangs QB Jacob Bryant passed for 265 yards and one TD in the setback.
JALEN GATES, CHICKASAW: Passed for 224 yards and three touchdowns on a 16-of-23 effort as Chickasaw beat Fruitdale 28-22.
MASON McATEER, COLLINSVILLE: The eighth grader completed 6-of-10 pass attempts for 176 yards and two touchdowns (47 and 80 yards) and rushed for 98 yards on 10 carries and two scores (14 and 7 yards) in the Panthers’ 41-12 homecoming win over Ider in Class 2A, Region 7.
BRAX GARRISON, GORDO: Keyed an important 35-0 Class 3A, Region 5 win over Fayette County with a 12-of-18 passing performance for 138 yards and one TD. He also rushed 13 times for 59 yards and three more scores as the Green Wave (7-1) won its sixth straight game.
JOHN COLVIN, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Was 11-of-15 passing for 176 yards, including 48-yard TD strike to Clark Sanderson, and the Spartans (7-1) rolled to a 35-6 win over Parker in Class 6A, Region 5. Sanderson had six catches for 94 yards.
A.J. JACKSON, BEAUREGARD: Finished 8-of-10 passing for 173 yards and three touchdowns and ran 11 times for 43 rushing yards and a fourth score as the Hornets (7-0) beat Elmore County 33-7 in Class 5A, Region 4.
WOODS RAY, HOMEWOOD: Completed 10-of-12 passes for 152 yards and one TD, rushed six times for 77 yards and another score as the Patriots posted a 31-10 victory over Chilton County in Class 6A, Region 3.
GUNNER RIVERS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Combined with starting quarterback Josh Murphy to lead the Cardinals (5-3) to a 49-6 Class 4A, Region 1 over Wilcox Central on the road. Rivers, the son of head coach and former NFL All-Pro quarterback Philip Rivers, was 11-of-12 passing for 142 yards and one TD in a reserve role. Murphy was 7-of-9 for 83 yards and three TDs in his starting role and the Cardinals were 18-of-21 overall for 225 yards with four TD passes.
PRESTON GODFREY, FAIRHOPE: Subbing for injured starter Qualin McCants, Godfrey ran for 97 yards and two TDs on 18 carries as the Pirates beat Daphne 26-7 to move into a three-way tie at 3-1 at the top of the Class 7A, Region 1 standings. He also caught seven passes for 51 yards and a TD.
PASS RECEIVING
JAKIRE REEDING, G.W. LONG: Caught four passes for 190 yards with TD receptions of 44 and 86 yards in the Rebels’ 35-28 Class 2A, Region 2 victory over Cottonwood.
JAYDEN BROWN, DECATUR: The senior receiver had eight receptions for 173 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to Muscle Shoals in 6A, Region 8. His touchdowns covered 12, 24, 80 and 7 yards.
HUNTER FREEMAN, WILSON: Led Wilson a 33-21 win over East Lawrence in Class 5A, Region 7 with five pass receptions for 157 yards and three touchdowns. His 62-yard TD catch sealed the win.
DYLAN McCARDLE, COTTONWOOD: Pulled down five pass receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 35-28 loss to G.W. Long in Class 2A, Region 2.
DADA STOUDEMIRE, OPP: Snagged five passes for 152 yards with two touchdowns in Opp’s 33-7 win over Daleville in 3A, Region 2.
GAVIN SMART, BOAZ: Grabbed 10 pass receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown in the Pirates’ 56-17 loss to Arab.
STEPHON MOSLEY, CHARLES HENDERSON: Caught five passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 34-7 region-clinching win over Eufaula in 5A, Region 2.
SKYLER CODY, FORT PAYNE: Caught four passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-14 win over Hazel Green in Class 6A, Region 8.
LUKE HARKLESS, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Caught six passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns in a 64-0 win over Bullock County in 4A, Region 2.
MARQUAN JAMERSON, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Made eight catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns in the Wolverines’ 33-13 Class 6A, Region 2 win over Wetumpka.
ETHAN BEARD, SAINT JAMES: Caught five passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a 37-21 win over Trinity Presbyterian.
KAMERAN SHANKS, PRATTVILLE: Caught four passes for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Lions past Jeff Davis 38-20.
JAVONN COLEMAN, BEAUREGARD: Had three catches for 107 yards and two TDs as Beauregard (7-0) beat Elmore County 33-7 in Class 5A, Region 4.
CAM WELSH, SPRING GARDEN: Accounted for three touchdowns, including two pass receptions covering 11 and 57 yards, and rushed for a 40-yard TD to finish with 78 yards on eight carries as the Panthers beat Pleasant Valley 28-14 in Class 1A, Region 6. He also had four tackles with a sack on defense.
DEFENSE
ANQUON FEGANS, THOMPSON: Swiped his seventh pass of the season returning the interception for a touchdown for the second came in row as the defending Class 7A state champion Warriors (6-2) blanked Oak Mountain 51-0 in Region 3 to improve to 5-0 in region play. The Warriors’ defense had five picks on the night with Seth Hampton and Payton Lewis also returned interceptions for TDs in the second quarter. Oak Mountain was limited to 14 yards total offense in the first half and 69 yards for the game.
IAN FOSTER, PIKE COUNTY: Managed two interceptions, returning one 96 yards in the final seconds of the first half for a touchdown, and added nine tackles in a 21-7 Class 3A, Region 2 win over Providence Christian for the Bulldogs.
TYREE HINES, HUEYTOWN: Had nine tackles, five pass breakups and an interception on defense and returned four punts for 85 yards in a hard-fought 32-27 victory over McAdory in Class 6A, Region 4.
YUSEF CLARK, WILLIAMSON: His interception on the third play of the game set the tone as the Lions beat Citronelle 20-0 in Class 5A, Region 1 for their fourth shutout of the season. Clark’s pick was the first of three for Williamson, which led 6-0 at the half and then scored two quick TDs in the third quarter following the picks.
BRAYDEN WHITEHEAD, G.W. LONG: Had 13 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 10-yard run in the final minute in the Rebels’ 35-28 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Cottonwood. Whitehead caught three passes for 127 yards with one TD in addition to his rushing touchdown on offense.
ELIJAH DUNN, GADSDEN CITY: Returned an interception for a touchdown and teammate Braylen Starkes followed with another pick-six for a TD as the Titans (4-4) improved to 4-0 in Class 6A, Region 8 with 53-0 win over Maw Jemison.
DAMIEN HART, CHARLES HENDERSON: Totaled 13 tackles and a pass break-up in the Trojans’ 34-7 region-clinching win over Eufaula in Class 5A, Region 2.
BLAKE CHANDLER, GORDO: Had 14 tackles and teammate Cameron Lark had 12 as the Green Wave blanked Fayette County 35-0 in a key Class 3A, Region 5win Thursday night.
MARZAVIOUS REED, ENTERPRISE: Made 12 tackles and Erys Nall had nine with four resulting in lost yardage by the Wolves. Eri Winters also had 10 tackles and a 67-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 51-28 win over Dothan. He was among a trio of defenders who shined in the important Class 7A, Region 2 win.
LUKE GORDON, PRATTVILLE: Managed 12 tackles, including two for loss, and teammate Sam Payne also had 12 stops as the Lions beat Jeff Davis 38-20 in 7A, Region 2.
JADEN JONES, MONTGOMERY-CATHOLIC: Had a team-high 10 tackles, two of them for loss to help the unbeaten Knights (8-0) blank Bullock County 64-0 in Class 4A, Region 2 for their fourth shutout of the season.
PARKER SANSING, HOMEWOOD: Returned an interception 87 yards for a key TD as the Patriots beat Chilton County 31-10 in Class 6A, Region 3.
DORIAN SMITH, FAITH ACADEMY: Returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown and a punt 40 yards for a score as Class 5A Faith Academy won its sixth straight game beating Class 2A Pike Liberal Arts 41-0.
RANDRIQUIS McCARY, BILLINGSLEY: Recorded 11 tackles on defense and rushed 15 times for 161 yards and a touchdown, and caught two passes on offense in the Bears’ 51-14 loss to Maplesville in 1A, Region 4.
JOE LOTT, UMS-WRIGHT: Scored the first three touchdowns of the game, including a 45-yard interception return for the first score, to help the Bulldogs downed B.C. Rain42-7 in Class 5A, Region 1. He also had TD runs of 7 and 11 yards.
JARED SMITH, SPAIN PARK: Had 4.5 sacks and three quarterback pressures in the Jags’ 35-21 win over Chelsea in 7A, Region 3.
CODY WHITFORD, MARBURY: Intercepted two passes and made four tackles as the Bulldogs beat Holtville 35-12 in 5A, Region 3
MAC CEMAN, PIKE ROAD: Intercepted two passes and had six tackles in the Patriots 40-7 win over Russell County in Class 6A, Region 2.
ZIGGY HOLLOWAY, SAINT JAMES: Picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown on the final play of the game as the Trojans beat Trinity Presbyterian 37-21 in Class 3A, Region 3. He also caught two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
HARRISON JOHNSON, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Recorded 14 tackles in the Wildcats’ 37-21 loss to Saint James in 3A, Region 3.
SPECIAL TEAMS
T.J. HERNANDEZ, CALERA: Booted a 27-yard goal in thee third overtime period to lift Calera to a 31-28 win over Briarwood Christian in Class 6A, Region 3. He was carried off the field on the shoulders of his Eagles’ teammates as the team celebrated its first win in school history over the Lions.
CHRIS PEARSON, ORANGE BEACH: Returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to give his team the lead for good in a 35-29 win over Bayside Academy in 4A, Region 1.
COREY LANDERS, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: The Eagles’ specialty team accounted for three touchdowns with two successful onside kicks to start the game which led to two quick TDs, and Landers returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown later in the first half in ACA’s 40-7 win over Prattville Christian in Class 3A, Region 3. He also rushed six times for 62 yards and caught a 19-yard touchdown pass.
LUKE JONES, NORTHSIDE: Kicked a 47-yard field goal in the Rams’ 20-19 victory over Cordova in Class 4A, Region 5.
JACK AMOS, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the Warriors’ 60-0 win over Fultondale in Class 4A, Region 6.
The Scottsboro Wildcats entered their game with Guntersville having dropped their previous two games and faced starting the region campaign one and two as they welcomed the fourth ranked team in Class 5A.
Scottsboro Head Coach Cris Bell and company had other plans as they put together a fantastic game plan and exectued said game plan to perfection knocking off Guntersville 17-14.
The win over the WIldcats helped them earn the 97.7 ESPN The Zone/Bryant Bank Team of the Week.
Scottsboro followed up that win over Guntersville with a region win over Sardis helping them improve to 3-1 in Class 5A Region 7.
Offense:
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
MVP: Jahmyr Gibbs
The winner of the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week plus SEC Offensive Player of the Week after his breakout performance of 20 touches for 226 yards & two TDs. Finished with 18 rushes for 206 yards (11.4 YPC) & 2 catches for 20 yards. His two explosive touchdown runs of 72 and 76 yards sealed the game in the fourth quarter. It was Gibbs breakout game since transferring from Georgia Tech at the end of last season via the Transfer Portal.
Photo courtesy of Tuscaloosa News
Newcomer Game Ball: #55 OG Tyler Booker
Nasty true freshman from New Haven, Connecticut, via IMG Academy. The 6 foot five 332 pounder enrolled early and has drawn constant praise from head coach Nick Saban due to his mental toughness & work ethic. Rotated at left guard with Javion Cohen. His physicality helped pave the way for a running game that finished with 42 carries for 317 yards (7.5 per carry). Plus the Crimson Tide passed for 238 passing yards to finish with 555 total offensive yards & 7 TDs (Five rushing & two passing.
Photo courtesy of UA Athletics
Newcomer Game Ball: WR Kobe Prentice
The freshman from Calera made two explosive plays in the game. The first was a completion of 41 yards on Alabama’s opening possession. That drive ended in an interception near the goal line but the second possession was a touchdown after Prentice converted a 3rd & 3 slant pass from Bryce Young into a 47 yard TD. It was the first score of Kobe’s Crimson Tide career & staked Bama to a 7-0 lead with 7:41 left in the first quarter. He did all of his work in the first two drives finishing with 3 catches for 92 yards & that opening touchdown.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: QB Jalen Milroe
The redshirt freshman from Katy, Texas, saw the first extensive action of his career following the early 2nd quarter exit due to an AC joint shoulder sprain suffered by starting QB Bryce Young. The sturdy Milroe quickly led two 2nd quarter scoring drives that doubled the Crimson Tide lead to 28-0. The first was a 3-yard TD on a zone read with 8:29 left in the first half and the 2nd was a key 3rd down tunnel screen to JoJo Earle for a 22 yard score (first touchdown pass of his career). Made the game’s biggest play dashing 77 yards on 3rd & 15 with Alabama clinging to a 28-23 third quarter lead:
https://twitter.com/pff_
Finished the game 4-9 passing for 65 yards 1 TD & 6 rushes for 91 yards with ZERO turnovers.
Defense:
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: SAM Linebacker Dallas Turner
After a somewhat quiet start to his sophomore season, Turner turned in a dominant afternoon vs the Hawgs. The St. Thomas Aquinas Alum finished tied for second on the team with 8 tackles, 2 solo & 2.5 tackles for loss. He was extremely disruptive the entire game and pursued relentlessly. Hopefully this will jumpstart Turner and get him going with the heart of the SEC schedule coming up.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Safety DeMarcco Hellams
The senior from Washington, D.C., had six tackles, 5 solo with a forced fumble that he also recovered. It was only the second forced turnover of the season for the Crimson Tide. The Dematha catholic product has been a very consistent force in the backend for Alabama as the regular season nears the halfway point.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Newcomer Game Ball: DT Jaheim Oatis
Like a fine wine he just keeps getting better. The massive true freshman from Mississippi had his best game yet in a Crimson Tide uniform. My man Oatis finished tied for 2nd on the squad with 8 tackles, 1 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL. Truly a dominant effort from the Columbia (MS) High School Alum. This performance was especially impressive due to the fact solid senior starter Justin Eboigbe did not travel due to a neck injury & was missing from the lineup on the DL. This meant Oatis was going to be counted on to play a bigger role, and he was more than ready to take that on.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Cornerback Terrion Arnold
The redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Florida, continued his consistent play on Saturday. He also finished with six tackles, five of them solo & a pass defensed. His final solo stop on Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood closed out the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. His ascension has really been a key for this Crimson Tide Defense being ranked tops in the SEC.
Special Teams:
Photo courtesy SEC Media Portal
MVP: Cornerback/Punt Returner Kool-Aid McKinstry
The sophomore from Pinson Valley High School continued to be a dangerous weapon in the punt return game Saturday in Fayetteville. He averaged 25.7 yards on his 3 returns with a long of 45. McKinstry also had six solo tackles with two passes defensed playing both corner and even star for a series.
Photo courtesy of UA Athletics
Unsung Hero: Punter James Burnip
The native of Mount Macedon, Victoria Australia, has been much more consistent during his second season in Tuscaloosa. The redshirt sophomore was very solid on Saturday averaging 45.7 yards on his three punts with one downed inside the 20 and a long boot of 49.
Photo courtesy of Twitter (Keon Keeley)
Huge recruiting weekend headlined by official visit of top ten national prospect Keon Keeley
The product of Berkeley Prep in Tampa, FL, will be visiting Alabama for the third time since January. It will be his first time since late July for the champions cookout. Many top prospects attended that event before the dead period this summer. Keeley then decommitted from Notre Dame. He had been committed to the Irish for over a calendar year and since that time Alabama along with Ohio State have been considered the favorites. Billy Napier in Florida continues to work him hard but this weekend’s official visit to the Capstone with his family could seal the deal for Alabama. It would go a long way to wrapping up the number one overall class for the Crimson Tide & give their DL class a huge fourth addition. The 6-6 245 pounder is considered the best edge rusher in the 2023 class.
Photo of Keeley courtesy of ONE FOOT DOWN
Photo courtesy The Grueling Truth
Next Up For top-ranked Alabama: The Crimson Tide return home to Bryant-Denny Stadium as the unranked Texas A&M Aggies come to Tuscaloosa for an SEC nationally televised 7 pm night kickoff on CBS Sports.
Prediction: Alabama 41 Texas A&M 13
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MONTGOMERY – Huntsville High School’s Rachel Clarke recorded 12 blocks in a key Class 7A, Area 8 volleyball match last week to lead the Panthers (28-8) to a win over Grissom etching her name in the AHSAA Volleyball Record Book in the process. Her effort placed her fifth all-time in theAHSAA Record Book for blocks in a single match and landed the senior middle hitter for Huntsville Coach Melanie Donahoo in the AHSAA Volleyball Spotlight this week.
The state overall record (15) was set by Hazel Green’s Tierra Porter in a match with Bob Jones in 2016. Three players are listed with 13 in a single match – the most recent being Carley Brown of Brewer in a win over Spring Garden earlier this season. Hazel Green’s Elizabeth Rayhle had 13 in a match with Arab in 2021, and Tori Bradley of Wilson had 13 blocks in 2010 versus Springville.
Clarke’s record performance could not have come at a better time. The AHSAA volleyball state playoffs start next week with area tournaments. Seeding becomes especially important since all teams advance to the post-season tourney. Area tournaments are set to be played Oct. 12-15. The winner and runner-up from each area will advance to the either the North or South Super Regional Tournaments set for Oct. 19-21 at Huntsville and Montgomery, respectively. The top four teams in each class advancing out of each Super Regional will play in the 52nd AHSAA Elite Eight State Tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex Oct. 25-27 with all final matches scheduled for the 5,500-seat Bill Harris Arena located at the CrossPlex.
Clarke’s performance edged out two strong performances by setters Abby McFerrin of Arab and Kathryn Webb of Southside-Gadsden.
McFerrin had 161 assists in nine matches for Class 5A Arab (36-9) to lead the Knights to the Marshall County Tournament championship with a win in the finals over Guntersville. She surpassed 2,500 career assists in the process. Webb led Class 5A Southside (24-19) to six wins last week, including winning three matches to claim the Etowah County Tourney championship. She had 89 assists, upping her career total to 2,636, and also served 24 aces for the Panthers.
AHSAA thanks Dennis Victory of al.com and the schools’ head coaches for their weekly contributions to the AHSAA Volleyball Spotlight.
Other notable performances from last week’s action include:
MILESTONES
CHLOE MAY, CENTRAL-FLORENCE: Had 197 assists to push hare career total past the 2,000 mark, added 20 aces, and 61 digs in eight matches for Class 4A Central-Florence (31-15). The Wildcats earned a berth in the Lauderdale County tourney versus Brooks – and claimed the 200th career win for Coach Andrew Murphy in the process. He finished the week with 203 career wins.
TRINITY COOTS, DANVILLE: Led the Class 3A Hawks (44-15) to the championship of the Morgan County tourney with 128 assists, 16 digs and 15 aces.
ASHLEE GANN, COVENANT CHRISTIAN: Had 64 kills, 42 digs, 13 blocks and 14 aces in six matches leading the Class 1A Eagles (24-12) to the Colbert County tourney crown.
KILLS
SCARLETT ALBERT, BROOKS: Managed 92 kills and 47 digs in 12 matches as Class 4A Brooks (27-27) went 11-1.
HANNAH JONES, PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN: Had 72 kills and 42 digs as Class 3A Prattville Christian (26-17) finished 4-2 at the Battle of Old Shell Road tourney at Mobile.
ZOEY BENSON, PRICEVILLE: Had 67 kills in six matches for Class 4A Priceville.
ALLIE BRYANT, PLEASANT VALLEY: Had 43 kills, 13 aces, 37 digs and 38 assists in three matches for the Class 2A Raiders.
CALLI TANIELU, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Had 38 kills and a .361 hitting percentage, adding 5 aces and 21 digs in three matches for the Class 5A Wildcats (30-7), who moved up to 5A after winning the Class 4A state championship in 2021.
OLIVIA JACKSON, HOMEWOOD: Had 32 kills, 30 digs, five aces and two blocks in two matches Class 6A Homewood.
SARAH DAVIS, SHOALS CHRISTIAN: Had 20 kills and 13 digs for the Class 1A Flame in a match versus Waterloo.
KENNEDY VAUGHN, BOB JONES: Had 19 kills in a win last week for the Class 7A Patriots (36-6).
MARIA GROOVER, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Had 26 kills and 41 digs in two matches for Class 6A John Carroll.
ASSISTS
JACEY ATKINSON, BREWER: Managed 182 assists in nine matches for Class 5A Brewer (32-13).
ALEXIS BELARMINO, SPANISH FORT: Had 165 assists, 40 digs, 11 kills, 9 aces and 4 blocks in seven matches for the Class 6A Toros (32-13).
BLAKELEY ROBBINS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Had 152 assists, 15 kills and 10 aces as Class 6A Bayside (37-11) went 4-1 for the week.
ISABELLA GIBBONS, SATSUMA: Had 125 assists, 47 digs and three blocks for the Class 4A Gators (17-10) in six matches.
HANNAH PARANT, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Amassed 119 assists in five match wins for the Spartans (26-13). She also had 25 kills, 22 digs, and eight aces as Mountain Brook swept Athens, Shades Valley, Pelham, Hartselle, and Hazel Green.
ALLIE AVENA, HAZEL GREEN: Dished out 112 assists in six matches for the Class 6A Trojans (29-18).
TATIANA SHUFORD, SAINT JAMES: Had 111 assists, 34 digs and 14 service aces in seven matches for Class 6A Saint James (19-13).
AVA DODD, HOKES BLUFF: Had 50 assists in two wins for the Class 3A Eagles over Piedmont and St. Clair County in a tri-match last week.
KATE KAISER, VESTAVIA HILLS: Averaged 41 assists in two matches last week totaling 82 for the week for the Class 7A Rebels (27-2). Vestavia beat defending 7A state champion Spain Park and lost to 6A power Homewood.
DIGS
DELANEY CLOUGH, SPANISH FORT: Totaled 104 digs in seven matches for the Class 6A Toros (32-13).
BLAKELY FAULKNER, BREWER: Totaled 95 digs, 16 kills and 15 aces as Class 5A Brewer (32-13) went 7-2 for the week.
LACEY CLARK, PRICEVILLE: Had 93 digs in six matches for Class 4A Priceville.
AUBREY LACKEY, CURRY: Totaled 86 digs and 10 aces to lead Class 4A Curry (39-16) to a 6-0 record and the Walker County tournament championship.
EEVY BELLAR, NEW HOPE: Had 84 digs and 76 kills as Class 4A New Hope (28-11) finished 6-1 for the week.
MK WHITEHURST, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Had 78 digs in five matches for the Class 6A Lady Admirals (37-11).
EMMA STUDDARD, PELHAM: Managed 67 digs and 10 assists for the Class 6A Panthers (27-12) in five matches.
STELLA YESTER, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Managed 46 digs in two matches, an verge of 23 per match, for the Class 6A Lady Cavaliers.
BLOCKS
HOPE WEST, BREWER: Led Class 5A Brewer to seven win in nine matches with 28 blocks and 54 kills for the week.
AVA GUSTAFASON, MADISON COUNTY: Had 18 blocks and 15 kills in three matches last week for the Class 4A Tigers.
CARLY BROWN, BREWER: Managed 18 blocks and 41 kills for the Class 5A Patriots (32-13).
JOLEIGH PARMER, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Had 16 blocks, 34 digs, 25 kills, 25 assists and five aces as Class 3A NMA (13-10) went 4-4 on the week.
ABBY WALDREP, ADDISON: Recorded 15 blocks and 25 kills as the Class 1A Bulldogs (33-10) won three matches over Class 4A Curry, Class 3A Oakman and Lauderdale County.
AUBRIELLA HAIRSTON, PLAINVIEW: Had 15 blocks and 18 kills as the Class 3A Bears (50-10) went 6-1 for the week.
LAURA CLEMMONS, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Posted 15 blocks and 40 kills in six marches for Class 3A Lauderdale County.
CLAIRE HOLT, ATHENS BIBLE: Had 14 blocks, 42 kills, 33 digs and 10 service aces as the Class 1A Eagles went 4-2 for the week.
SERINA PETERSEN, GRISSOM: Had 10 blocks and 16 kills in two matches for Class 7A Grissom.
SERVICE ACES
PRESLEY JONES, BROOKS: Helped the Class 4A Lions (27-27) go 11-1 in 12 matches. She had 23 aces, 35 digs and 152 assists as Brooks advanced to the Lauderdale County finals.
KATY PARKER, FAITH ACADEMY: Served 23 aces, had 150 assists, 38 digs and 36 kills in eight matches for the 5A Rams (19-14) in eight matches.
KARLEE DUNAGAN, CURRY: Had 19 service aces, 63 assists, 31 digs and 17 kills to lead the Class 4A Yellow Jackets (39-16) to the Walker County tournament title.
MAYSIE DOUGLAS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Totaled 19 aces, 30 kills and 42 digs in five matches.
GEORGIA VALENTINE, WESTMINSTER-OAK MOUNTAIN: Delivered 19 service aces, 29 kills and seven digs in two matches for the Class 2A Eagles (9-12).
CHARLI PEARCE, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Had 18 aces to help the Class 7A Saints (25-9) go 5-2 for the week. She also had 11 blocks and 19 kills.
Offense:
Photo courtesy of AP
MVP: Bryce Young
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had his best game of the season against the Commodores finishing 25-36 for 385 yards & 4 TDs (1 rush 6 yards). The Alabama offense went up-tempo early, attacking a struggling Vanderbilt secondary. Young got into a rhythm right away and with surgeon-like precision picked apart the Eastern Division SEC foe until exiting late in the 3rd quarter after a Jase McClellan 12 yard TD run staked Alabama to a 41-3 lead. Jalen Milroe & 5-Star frosh Ty Simpson finished the 55-3 rout for the Crimson Tide at QB.
Photo courtesy of 247sports
Newcomer Game Ball: Jermain Burton
The junior transfer portal edition from Georgia had his best game in Crimson. The California native finished with 4 catches for 94 yards, including a 48 yard vertical strike with 11 seconds left in the first half that set up a Will Reichard 40 yard field goal to stake Alabama to a 31-3 halftime lead in Tuscaloosa. Hopefully this will be the breakout game he needs to become a bigger part of the offense going forward.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Newcomer Gameball: Jamarion Miller
The freshman from Tyler (TX) Legacy High School is THE HAMMER of this Crimson Tide offense & is pushing for more playing time in a crowded Alabama running back room. Listed at 5-10 201 on rolltide.com, Miller runs MUCH bigger than his listed size. Since the season opener vs. Utah State, the Lonestar state native has helped Nick Saban do one of his favorite things: Take the air out of the football to close out an opponent. He finished off Vandy with a 40 yard TD on Alabama’s final offensive snap finishing the game with 9 carries for 63 yards & two scores.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Ja’Corey Brooks
The sophomore from Miami continues to quietly make plays & had the first 100-yard multi-touchdown game of his career vs. the Commodores on Saturday night. Brooks finished with 6 catches for 117 yards & 2 TDs. On the 1st scoring drive of the game Bryce threw four straight completions (16, 25, 6 & 21) all to Brooks covering 68 yards staking Alabama to a 7-0 lead they would never relinquish with 8:49 left first quarter. The chemistry seems special between this duo since the end of last season. Be interesting to see if he is the number one target of the Crimson Tide when Texas A&M travels to Tuscaloosa.
Defense:
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Henry To’oTo’o
The senior Mike Linebacker has played at an ALL-AMERICAN level since the mid-point of last season when he got adjusted to his new teammates. The Sacramento, California, native led the team in tackles (Much like he did last year) with 6 (4 solo). To’oTo’o is a team captain who plays the game with passion & excellent instincts. His leadership will be very important in what will be a very hostile environment for Alabama in Fayetteville.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Will Anderson, Jr.
The reigning first team All-American had his strongest game of the season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium this past Saturday. The 6-4 243-pound Jack Linebacker finished with 5 tackles, 3 solo, 2.5 sacks & 3 TFLs. He was extremely disruptive off the edge and helped control the line of scrimmage limiting the Commodores to 129 total yards (115 passing, 14 rushing).
Photo courtesy of Jaheim Oatis Twitter
Newcomer Gameball: Jaheim Oatis
The massive freshman from Columbia, Mississippi, continues to impress each week with his physical presence along that experienced Alabama defensive line. He has simply been too dominate to leave out of the lineup. While his stat line continues to be pedestrian (2 tackles), the disruptive impact has not. Oatis has helped the Crimson Tide rush defense hold their first four opponents to 62 yards per game. In fact, Vanderbilt averaged .5 yards per carry. The Commodores finished with 26 rushes for 14 yards.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Deontae Lawson
The Mobile native tied Henry To’oTo’o for the team-high in tackles with 6 (1 solo). Lawson continues to rotate with senior Jaylen Moody at the Will Linebacker spot inside next to To’oTo’o with ZERO drop off. The Mobile Christian alum is on a fast track to being an elite SEC defender already as a redshirt freshman. He & Kendrick Blackshire give the Alabama defense impressive depth inside & provide a glimpse of a bright future for the Crimson Tide linebacker corps.
Special Teams:
Photo Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
MVP: Will Reichard
The senior kicker from Hoover continues his consistent excellence with a 2-2 evening on Field Goals (40, 21 yards) plus consistent touchbacks/fair catches on kickoff returns ensuring tough field position for Vanderbilt throughout the duration of the contest. Keeping an offense backed up only makes the job of getting stops for the Alabama defense that much easier. The former Buccaneer has become a true weapon for the Crimson Tide.
Photo Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Malachi Moore
The junior from Trussville finished with 3 total tackles & a pass defensed plus recovered a fumbled punt by fellow safety Brian Branch. This avoided a second Crimson Tide turnover after Kool-Aid McKinstry returned a 2nd quarter punt 40 yards only to fumble it back to Vanderbilt. Moore may have to expand his role in Fayetteville because senior safety Jordan Battle looked to have tweaked a hamstring in the 2nd half Saturday night. He did not return and though he has practiced, Malachi may be needed to play more snaps in the base/nickel defense in Fayetteville. His three years of experience could prove very valuable on the road in the SEC.
Photo courtesy of UGA Wire
#3 James Smith Defensive Tackle
Nick Saban & the Alabama Coaching staff welcomed two VERY important visitors to campus for the Vanderbilt game. Two of the best prospects in the state of Alabama for 2023: Five star teammates James Smith & Qua Russaw of Carver-Montgomery. Both are critical needs for the Crimson Tide. Smith could be the final piece to potentially the best DL class in the 2023 cycle. Many consider him the best player in the state. He has been very impressive at the Alabama camp in the recent past in front of the coaching staff at the Capstone. Disruptive defensive lineman are at a premium and this makes Smith a very valuable prospect.
Photo courtesy of Montgomery Advertiser
#1 Qua Russaw Linebacker
The rising Senior Russaw might be the best edge linebacker in the 2023 class. He has great athleticism and speed. But his skill set also would allow him to play inside which would make him even more valuable to a potential school. He would be a great fit because of his versatility in the Alabama defensive scheme. Nick Saban would like to add a couple of more linebackers to the class.
Qua Russaw is definitely at the top of the linebacker board. The elite duo wants to go to the same school and has a final six of Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State.
Photo courtesy ESPN
Next Up For 2nd-ranked Alabama: The SEC road opener at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks host the Alabama Crimson Tide for a 2:30 pm nationally televised kickoff on CBS Sports.
Prediction: Alabama 31 Arkansas 17
DrewD’s Key Performers For Alabama vs La. Monroe
By: Drew DeArmond
ESPN 97.7 The Zone & The Blitz Sports Radio
Offense:
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
MVP: Jahmyr Gibbs
The junior transfer running back from Georgia Tech did not disappoint in his third game with the Crimson Tide. The dynamic all-purpose back finished with 158 total offensive yards, averaging an impressive 17.5 yards per touch. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket had 9 total touches (4 rush, 4 catches & 1 KOR). His TD came after he caught a check down out of the backfield from Bryce Young, raced up the left sideline, then juked a defender before breaking a tackle to score from 37 yards out to give Alabama a 42-7 lead with 8:41 left in the 3rd quarter.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Newcomer Game Ball: Amari NiBlack
The true freshman from St. Petersburg, Florida, made his presence felt in the red zone with his first career touchdown on a 15 yard TD strike from Bryce Young with 52 seconds in the first half to cap the Drive of the game (6 plays 93 yards in 1:05). NiBlack was an underrated prospect out of high school that blossomed as a senior and was discovered by Nick Saban’s staff. The 6-4 225-pounder has great length plus freakish athleticism that should lead to more reps & a potentially bigger role as the season progresses.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Cameron Latu
The redshirt senior tight end returned to the lineup vs Texas after missing time in fall camp and the season opener vs. Utah State with a torn meniscus. His stat line against the Longhorns: 4 catches for 28 yards & the Utah native followed that with 3 receptions for 51 yards, including the above contested catch of a beautifully thrown ball by Bryce Young for a 38 yard gain (The longest play of the game offensively) that led to the NiBlack touchdown before the half. Latu is a veteran that has a good rapport with Young that will be a valuable part of the Alabama offense moving forward.
Defense:
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
MVPs: Will Anderson Jr. & Henry To’oTo’o
The senior To’oTo’o set the tone with his instincts and physicality finishing with 8 tackles, (2 solo), 1 sack & 2 TFL. The California native is a leader of men who led the team in tackles a season ago after transferring from Tennessee & is considered the quarterback of the defense in his final season.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Anderson got his first career interception and touchdown on the above play in the first quarter. The junior from Hampton, GA, caught the deflected Chandler Rogers pass after seeing the football ricochet off a Warhawk helmet & then raced 25 yards down the right sideline, breaking a tackle along the way before reaching the end zone before being mobbed by his teammates. The All-American finished with 5 tackles (1 solo), 1 sack & 1.5 TFL.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Newcomer Game Ball: Jaheim Oatis
For the second time in three weeks Oatis gets the newcomer game ball for his first career start along the defensive line for the Crimson Tide. The native of the magnolia state had a modest stat line of 2 tackles, 1 QB hurry & .5 TFL but helped lead the way for an Alabama run defense that held the Warhawks to 78 yards on 40 attempts (2.0 yards per carry).
The redshirt freshman from Mobile, Alabama, saw extensive action at Will Linebacker rotating in for the senior Jaylen Moody, who also slid over to the Mike spot to play next to the talented young player from Mobile Christian. Lawson finished with five tackles (4 solo) & a pass defensed. He was extremely active and the Crimson Tide defense did not skip a beat production-wise with #32 on the field in Crimson.
Special Teams:
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
MVPs: Kool-Aid McKinstry & Brian Branch
The sophomore from Pinson Valley High School (pictured above) led a record-breaking punt return effort for Alabama this past Saturday against the Warhawks. The sophomore returned five punts for 136 yards (27.2 average), while the junior Branch showcased his speed & explosiveness returning an early 4th quarter punt 68 yards for a touchdown to stretch the Crimson Tide lead to 56-7 with 12:36 left in the game. Alabama set a school record with eight punt returns for 262 total yards (33 yards per return), breaking the previous mark of 204 vs. LSU in 1947.
https://youtu.be/m6Uw9hA-58w
The sophomore from Miami first earned his stripes last year playing hard on special teams and has continued in that role early in this 2022 season. Brooks returned a punt for 21 yards and also caught a first quarter pass for 29 yards on the opening drive that resulted in a 33-yard Bryce Young to Traeshon Holden touchdown strike. But the biggest and most impactful play of the game for Brooks took place around the halfway point of the first quarter. With the Crimson Tide already staked to a 14-0 lead, the young receiver crashed through to block the Warhawks punt, which was then scooped up for a 3-yard touchdown by Malachi Moore with 8:50 remaining in the opening period. Brooks propensity to make big plays at key times continues early in this 2022 season for Alabama.
It had been a big recruiting week for Alabama football as Nick Saban’s 2023 group added two important Lonestar State pieces. First, Edge defender Jordan Renaud of Tyler (TX) Legacy High School became the 22nd member of the nation’s consensus top-ranked class choosing Alabama over Oklahoma on Monday.
The 23rd pledge soon followed on Wednesday afternoon when Longview (TX) High School wide receiver Jalen Hale chose the Crimson Tide over the in-state Longhorns. Texas A&M and Georgia were also considered finalists for one of the most explosive wide receivers in the 2023 cycle.
Next Up For 2nd-ranked Alabama: The SEC opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt Commodores travel to Tuscaloosa for a 6:30 pm kickoff under the lights on SEC Network.
Prediction: Alabama 52 Vanderbilt 7
AHSAA Football Scoreboard
Week 4 Results
CLASS 7A
Auburn 58, Lee-Montgomery 7
Austin 47, Albertville 10
Central-Phenix City 49, Jeff Davis 16, Saturday
Daphne 25, Baker 14
Dothan 57, Smiths Station 43
Enterprise 50, Rehobeth 6
Fairhope 55, Davidson 28
Florence 38, James Clemens 20
Hoover 17, Hewitt-Trussville 7
Huntsville 28, Bob Jones 24
Mary Montgomery 33, Alma Bryant 19
Prattville 24, Opelika 21 (OT)
Sparkman 57, Grissom 0
Thompson 48, Chelsea 3
Tuscaloosa County 34, Oak Mountain 31
Vestavia Hills 36, Spain Park 7
CLASS 6A
Athens 47, Mae Jemison 6
Blount 18, Baldwin County 9
Calera 38, Chilton County 14
Carver-Montgomery 46, Stanhope Elmore 44
Clay-Chalkville 56, Center Point 19
Cullman 53, Lee-Huntsville 13
Decatur 48, Hazel Green 14
Gardendale 27, Parker 14, Saturday
Hartselle 16, Gadsden City 9
Helena 31, Pelham 24 (OT)
Hueytown 59, Bessemer City 21
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 44, Brookwood 0
Homewood 31, Benjamin Russell 24
McAdory 37, Central-Tuscaloosa 7
McGill-Toolen Catholic 34, Murphy 14
Mountain Brook 48, Jackson-Olin 0
Northridge 41, Paul Bryant 6
Pike Road 16, Eufaula 10 (OT)
Pinson Valley 44, Oxford 20
Saraland 50, Robertsdale 0
Shades Valley 63, Huffman 34
Sidney Lanier 28, Park Crossing 12
Theodore 29, Spanish Fort 21
Wetumpka 49, Russell County 7
Woodlawn 27, Mortimer Jordan 21
CLASS 5A
Alexandria 33, Springville 15
Arab 28, Scottsboro 7
Beauregard 26, Charles Henderson 14
Brewer 21, Lawrence County 7
Carroll 33, Seminole County (GA) 3
Carver-Birmingham 20, Joh Carroll Catholic 14
Demopolis 49, Clarke County 13
Fairview 50, West Point 7
Faith Academy 43, Citronelle 0
Gulf Shores 45, LeFlore 12
Guntersville 62, Boaz 14
Jasper 45, Wenonah 7
Marbury 22, Tallassee 20
Moody 32, Lincoln 6
Northview (FL) 49, Elberta 24
Pleasant Grove 53, Hayden 0
Ramsay 48, Fairfield 14
Russellville 52, East Limestone 7
Sardis 36, Crossville 14
Selma 36, Greenville 6
Southside-Gadsden 52, St. Clair County 3
UMS-Wright 10, Vigor 7
Williamson 20, B.C. Rain 0
CLASS 4A
American Christian 41, Hale County 26
Andalusia 49, Montgomery Academy 7
Anniston 49, White Plains 13
Bibb County 56, Sipsey Valley 10
B.T. Washington 34, Slocomb 14
Central-Florence 35, Brooks 28
Cherokee County 49, Hanceville 15
Cordova 41, Hamilton 21
Corner 24, Dora 14
Dale County 29, Bullock County 18
Dallas County 20, Holt 0
Deshler 55, Wilson 13
Escambia County 34, Wilcox Central 0
Etowah 35, Good Hope 6
Haleyville 35, Northside 27
Handley 26, Central, Clay County 15
Jackson 30, Bayside Academy 10
Jacksonville 76, Talladega 21
Madison County 28, DAR 0
Montgomery Catholic 62, Geneva 0
Munford 42, Cleburne County 28
Oak Grove 41, Curry 26
Oneonta 51, Fultondale 13
Priceville 40, New Hope 0
North Jackson 21, St. John Paul II Catholic 14
Randolph 53, Westminster Christian 20
St. Michael Catholic 45, Satsuma 8
T.R. Miller 38, Orange Beach 13
West Blocton 7, Montevallo 6
West Limestone 48, East Lawrence 13
West Morgan 35, Rogers 16
Class 3A
Alabama Christian 62, Sumter Central 14
Colbert Heights 52, Clements 38
Dadeville 22, Walter Wellborn 14
Daleville 16, Northside Methodist 15
Excel 31, Flomaton 24
Gordo 49, Tarrant 0
Hokes Bluff 24, Westbrook Christian 21
Houston Academy 49, New Brockton 6
JB Pennington 47, Asbury 0
Lauderdale County 29, Colbert County 0
Madison Academy 48, Danville 0
Mars Hill Bible 69, Elkmont 8
Mobile Christian 48, Monroe County 6
Oakman 35, Carbon Hill 20
Opp 28, Pike County 27
Piedmont 42, Ohatchee 14
Plainview 28, Glencoe 7
Prattville Christian 28, Greensboro 14
Randolph County 20, Weaver 0
Saint James 56, Southside-Selma 14
Saks 42, Childersburg 14
Straughn 41, Ashford 12
Susan Moore 29, Vinemont 22
Sylvania 41, Geraldine 24
Thomasville 12, Cottage Hill Christian 7
Trinity Presbyterian 38, Sylacauga 7
Winfield 56, Midfield 8
W.S. Neal 28, Hillcrest-Evergreen 27 (OT)
CLASS 2A
Aliceville 54, Sulligent 28
Ariton 35, Zion Chapel 0
B.B. Comer 36, Vincent 35
Chickasaw 20, Francis Marion 6
Cleveland 40, Pleasant Valley 13
Collinsville 37, Sand Rock 20
Cottonwood 22, Samson 0
Falkville 21, Hatton 6
Fyffe 54, Section 0
Goshen 60, LaFayette 28
G.W. Long 21, Geneva County 0
Highland Home 42, Horseshoe Bend 0
Isabella 59, Fayetteville 21
J.U. Blacksher 21, St. Luke’s Episcopal 15
Lexington 53, Tharptown 18
Locust Fork 27, Cold Springs 6
Luverne 26, Lanett 25
North Sand Mountain 54, Whitesburg Christian 28
Pisgah 42, Ider 10
Port St. Joe (FL) 45, Pike Liberal Arts 0
Ranburne 40, Woodland 0
Red Bay 58, Hackleburg 24
Reeltown 76, Barbour County 0
Sheffield 48, Tanner 47
Southeastern 57, Holly Pond 53
Thorsby 48, Central, Coosa 0
Tuscaloosa Academy 42, Lamar County 7
West End 51, Gaston 0
Wicksburg 29, Abbeville 8
Winston County 51, Greene County 22
CLASS 1A
Addison 69, Waterloo 0
Alabama School/Deaf 50, Tennessee School/Deaf 20, Saturday
Appalachian 53, Gaylesville 34
Autaugaville 49, Billigsley 6
Brantley 53, Kinston 6
Decatur Heritage 43, Cedar Bluff 20
Donoho 21, Victory Christian 7
Florala 50, Pleasant Home 20
Fruitdale 64, JF Shields 0
Georgiana 22, Houston County 13
Keith 30, Marengo 18
Linden 62, RC Hatch 0
Loachapoka 50, Notasulga 14
Lynn 49, Holy Spirit Catholic 13
Maplesville 56, Calhoun 0
Marion County 54, Berry 6
Meek 40, Phillips 6
Millry 46, Choctaw County 20
Pickens County 36, South Lamar 6
Ragland 32, Wadley 25
Red Level 25, McKenzie 24
Shoals Christian 59, Cherokee 6
Southern Choctaw 22, McIntosh 21
Spring Garden 33, Winterboro 16
Sumiton Christian 49, Brilliant 0
Sweet Water 57, A.L. Johnson 0
Valley Head 35, Coosa Christian 33
Verbena 42, Central-Hayneville 40 (OT)
Woodville 58, Vina 26
/ ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLET
Offense:
Photo courtesy Yahoo Sports
MVP: Bryce Young
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner finished 27-39 for 213 yards with 1 TD and no turnovers. The stat line may seem pedestrian, especially for Young, but not turning the ball over vs the Longhorns turned out to be a HUGE factor. That and a fourth quarter stat line worthy of the best offensive player in college football: 15-19 136 yards with a TD. First the improvisation moving out of the pocket to his left, then stopping on a dime to load up for the seven yard TD pass to Jahmyr Gibbs with 8:29 left in the 4th quarter.
Plus the Houdini act on the Safety Blitz scrambling for 20 yards to lock up the 33-yard Will Reichard game-winning Field Goal with 10 seconds remaining.
Photo courtesy Sports Illustrated
Newcomer Game Ball: Jahmyr Gibbs
The transfer portal addition from Georgia Tech was the leading receiver for the Crimson Tide finishing with 9 catches for 74 yards & the go-head 7-yard TD from Young with 8:29 left in the 4th quarter to put UA in front 17-16. The junior from Dalton, GA, finished with 132 all-purpose yards on 20 touches (9 rushes for 22 yards/2 KOR 36 yards) and the TD reception.
Photo courtesy 247Sports
Unsung Hero: Ja’Corey Brooks
The sophomore wide receiver once again came up clutch with his 2nd catch of the contest coming on 4th down from Bryce Young with the game on the line as the Miami native gained 7 yards to move the chains with 9:30 left in the final quarter. This led to the go ahead touchdown and then Brooks caught the final pass of the day for 3 yards to set up the game-winning kick for Will Reichard to win it 20-19. The 6-2 196-pounder seems to have ice water in his veins & finished with 3 catches for 33 yards.
Defense/Special Teams:
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Jaylen Moody
The senior will linebacker from Conway, South Carolina, saved the best game of his career for Austin, Texas. A team-high 10 tackles with a sack & tackle for loss. Energy, passion & intensity with the hunger of a first year starter taking advantage of his opportunity in his final season in Crimson. His performance was huge with the rare mental errors by Will Anderson (4 penalties).
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Will Reichard
The senior place kicker from Hoover tied his career high with a 52 yard field goal in the first quarter and made his first game-winning kick from 33 yards out with 10 seconds left. Reichard was 2-2 on field goals and extra points with only 39 total kickoff returns with 3 touchbacks. Alabama has been so dominant under Nick Saban that it was the first game of his era that the Crimson Tide has made a last second kick to win a football game. Previously Jamie Christensen had three game-winning kicks in 2005 vs Ole Miss, Tennessee & in the Cotton Bowl vs Texas Tech.
Photo Courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Terrion Arnold
The redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Florida, played very well in his first extended action on the road coming in at corner for the struggling Khyree Jackson. Arnold finished with 5 tackles & helped slow down leading Longhorn receiver Xavier Worthy for the majority of the 2nd half. He moved from safety to corner following the 2021 season and is now pushing to start after a strong fall camp.
Key Prospect to Watch:
Jordan Renaud 6-3 1/2 245 Defensive End Tyler (TX) Legacy High School
Big-Time priority Defensive Line Target set to commit on September 19th. Buzz it seems to favor the Crimson Tide over Oklahoma right now with the decision eminent and the Alabama staff led by his lead recruiters DL coach Freddie Roach & WR coach Holman Wiggins were in attendance to watch Renaud play this past Friday before the Texas matchup
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13001753/Jordan-Renaud
Next Up For top-ranked Alabama: Return home to take on Terry Bowden’s Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at 3 pm on SEC Network
Prediction: Alabama 52 Louisiana-Monroe 7
Week3
by Steve Moulton
Welcome to Week3
Abilene Christian (2-0) at Missouri (1-1, 0-0 SEC) Series: First Meeting
11 a.m. CT • SECN+, ESPN+
Team 1 2 3 4 OT Total
Missouri 3 24 17 20 0 64
Opponents 10 20 6 28 0 64
• University of Missouri football will host the second of its third first-time opponents this season
in Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Faurot Field. • Mizzou is 168-71-8 in
non-conference matchups at home. • MU’s campus will celebrate Family Weekend Sept. 16-18.
Youngstown State (2-0) at Kentucky (2-0, 1-0 SEC) Series: First Meeting
Noon ET • SEC Network
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
The Wildcats have climbed to No. 9/10 in the national polls, marking their fi rst top-10 ranking
in the AP poll since Oct. 14, 2007 (No. 8). It is also UK’s fi rst top-10 ranking in the coaches
poll since Sept. 30, 2007 (No. 8), and only the second ? me in program history. • UK has won 17
straight nonconference games, the longest such active streak in FBS, which dates back to the
2017 Music City Bowl loss to Northwestern.
Georgia (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 53-19-2
Noon ET • ESPN Last: UGA, 40-13 (2021 at
Athens)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
Georgia comes into Williams-Brice Stadium ranked No. 1 in the country in this week’s
Associated Press poll. It’s the seventh time that Carolina will face the A.P.’s top-ranked team.
They are 1-5 when playing the No. 1 team previously, with the lone win coming against
Alabama in 2010.
Penn State (2-0) at Auburn (2-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: PSU leads, 2-1
2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Last: PSU, 28-20 (2021 at State
College)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
This will be Auburn’s fourth-ever regular season game against a Big Ten team after last season’s
September visit to Penn State. Prior to that, the last was a 1931 7-7 tie at Wisconsin (the Tigers’
only other regular-season road game at a Big Ten stadium) and the first was a 0-0 tie with Ohio
State in a game played in Montgomery, Ala., in 1917.
Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Georgia Tech (1-1) Series: Tied, 2-2
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Atlanta Ga. • Bobby Dodd Stadium (92,746)
The Ole Miss defense leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally with six takeaways through two
games this year. • Quinshon Judkins (95.5) and Zach Evans (91.5) are the only pair of teammates
in the country averaging 90-plus yards rushing per game. • TE Michael Trigg is second in the
SEC, No. 9 nationally with three receiving TDs. • WR Jonathan Mingo is No. 2 in the SEC in
yards per reception (21.5). • LB Khari Coleman ranks No. 12 in FBS in total sacks (2.5). • DT
KD Hill was awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award and will wear No. 38 throughout the
2022 season
Vanderbilt (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Northern Illinois (1-1) Series: VU leads, 4-0
2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports Network
DeKalb, Ill. • Huskie Stadium (24,000)
Vanderbilt is set to face Northern Illinois on the road this weekend for its final nonconference
matchup on the season. The contest will serve as the final tune-up for the Commodores before
they begin conference play. • Vandy owns a 6-1 record in its past seven road nonconference
matchups, including this year’s season-opening win at Hawai’i
UL-Monroe (1-1) at Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: Tied, 1-1
3 p.m. CT • SEC Network/WZZN 97.7FM
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077)
Alabama and ULM will square off for the fourth time in series history when the two teams meet
on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide owns a 2-1 (1-1 NCAA)
advantage in the series with all three games being played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama head coach
Nick Saban is 2-1 in his career against ULM, including a 1-1 mark while with the Tide. ULM
head coach Terry Bowden is 3-3 for his career against UA with all six contests occurring while
Bowden was at Auburn from 1993-98.
Mississippi State (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at LSU (1-1, 0-0 SEC) Series: LSU leads, 76-36-3
5 p.m. CT • ESPN Last: LSU, 28-25 (2021 at
Starkville)
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
LSU (1-1) jumps into Southeastern Conference action this week when the Tigers host
Mississippi State (2-0) at 5 p.m. in Tiger Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Joe
Tessitore (pxp), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (reporter) calling the action. LSU is
coming off a 65-17 win over Southern last week, while Mississippi State posted a 39-17 road
win over Arizona. It will mark the first meeting between LSU coach Brian Kelly and MSU coach
Mike Leach. Last year, LSU beat the Bulldogs, 28-25, in Starkville. LSU leads the overall series
with Mississippi State, which dates back to 1896, 76-36-3.
Missouri State (2-0) at Arkansas (2-0, 1-0 SEC) Series: ARK leads, 7-0
6 p.m. CT • SECN+, ESPN+
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
Under head coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks are a perfect 6-0 against non-conference
opponents. With a win against Missouri State, Pittman would become the first Arkansas head
coach since Lou Holtz (1977-78) to win his first seven games against non-conference foes
Akron (1-1) at Tennessee (2-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: UT leads, 2-0
7 p.m. ET • SECN+, ESPN+
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915)
No. 15/16 Tennessee returns home to host its second MAC opponent of the season when Akron
visits Neyland Stadium for a 7 p.m. Saturday kickoff. The contest will be a digital broadcast only
on SEC Network+/ESPN+. UT leads the all-time series, 2-0, and the two teams are meeting for
the first time since 2012. The Vols already defeated MAC foe Ball State, 59-10, in their opener.
A day prior to the Akron game will represent the 50th anniversary of the first night game in
Neyland Stadium. On Sept. 16, 1972, No. 7 Tennessee topped Joe Paterno’s No. 6 Penn State,
28-21. This year’s Vols are seeking a 3-0 start to a season for the first time since the 2016
campaign when they won their first five games.
South Florida (1-1) at Florida (1-1, 0-1 SEC) Series: UF leads, 2-0
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Florida plays host to South Florida for the second time in school history in the third-ever meeting
between the schools. • The Gators are 2-0 in the all-time series including 1-0 in The Swamp. •
The two teams last met in Tampa in Week 2 of last season (Sept. 11, 2021) with UF prevailing,
42-20. The Gators totaled 666 yards of offense (sixth-most all-time), rushed for 363 yards and
passed for 303 yards. » That game represented one of four times since since 1996 that UF posted
300+ yards passing and rushing in the same game. The feat has been accomplished just 11 times
by Power Five schools since the start of the 2021 season. • QB Anthony Richardson was 3-for-3
passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed four times for 115 yards (28.8 YPC)
and one touchdown. • With that performance, Richardson became the first FBS player in the last
25 seasons to rush for 100-plus yards, pass for 150-plus yards and complete every pass he threw
in a game. • Richardson became the first FBS player to record an 80-plus yard rush and 75-plus
yard pass in the same game since Taylor Martinez (Nebraska) in 2010 and is one of three FBS
players to accomplish the feat dating back to 1996
Miami (2-0) at Texas A&M (1-1, 0-0 SEC) Series: UM leads, 2-1
8 p.m. CT • ESPN
Bryan-College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
The primetime clash between the Aggies and Hurricanes is the fourth all-time matchup between
the two teams and the first since Miami traveled to Aggieland in 2008.
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