Westminster Christian 3, Montgomery Academy 2
By JOSH BEAN | For the AHSAA
BIRMINGHAM – Westminster Christian’s Meg Paparella pointed at setter Sarah Kim with  a broad smile spread across her face.
    The simple acknowledgment showed the appreciation for her teammate’s pass.
    The point-and-smile celebration happened over and over and over again as Paparella tallied 22 kills – including the championship-clinching spike – to win the tournament MVP and lead the Wildcats to Thursday’s 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-13 victory over defending champ Montgomery Academy in the AHSAA 51^st Elite Eight State Tournament Class 4A volleyball championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex’s Bill Harris Arena.
    “I’ve been dreaming about this since last year,” Paparella said. “We came out with a bunch of energy.”
     The Wildcats (41-8), coached by Holly Richards, earned the school’s first state volleyball championship while also denying Montgomery Academy from winning a fourth straight state title. The victory also avenged last year’s loss to Montgomery Academy in the 4A quarterfinals.
     “Our composure in the fifth set is really a testament to how much these girls wanted a state championship. … They were not going to let anything stop them,” Richards said.
     Calli Tanielu added 14 kills and 16 digs for Westminster, while Brianna Tinsley added 10 kills. Kim and Tygen Kross combined for 42 assists, and Paparrella had 18 digs.
    Westminster Christian won the first set and built a 2-1 lead, but the defending champs rallied to force a winner-take-all fifth set. In the final set, Westminster Christian won five of the final six points.
      Montgomery Academy (27-16), coached by AHSAA Hall of Famer Julie Gordon, got 18 kills from Elle McBride, 16 kills from Virginia Meacham and 13 kills from Caroline McDaniel. Addi Vinson dished out 54 assists and added 11 digs.
     “They never gave up,” Gordon said of her team. “They came out and battled and won the fourth set and battled in the fifth. They never quit. They kept fighting. You can’t help but be proud of them.”
     Montgomery Academy had won three straight state titles, winning 3A in 2018 and 2019 and 4A in 2020, but fell one win shy of a four-peat.
     Added McBride, “We played the best we could and just fell short.”
CLASS 4A ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Meg Paparella, Westminster (MVP); Brianna Tinsley, Westminster; Calli Tanielu, Westminster; Addi Vinson, Montgomery Academy; Virginia Beacham, Montgomery Academy; Elle McBride, Montgomery Academy. 
   51^st Elite Eight State Volleyball Championships
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
Bill Harris Arena
Thursday’s Championship Matches
Class 1A Championship
Donoho (55-9) 3, Bayshore Christian (24-25) 0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-17)
7A Championship
Spain Park (47-4) 3, McGill-Toolen Catholic (39-12) 0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-23)
Class 4A Championship
Westminster Christian (41-9) 3, Montgomery Academy (27-16) x (25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-13)
Wednesday’s Championship Matches
Class 2A Championship
Addison (48-6) 3, Orange Beach (30-17) 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-18)
Class 6A Championship
Mountain Brook (43-12) 3, St. Paul’s Episcopal (45-10) 0 (25-17, 27-25, 25-19)
Class 5A Championship
Bayside Academy (57-6) 3, East Limestone (46-7) 0 (25-13, 25-13), 25-9)
Class 3A Championship
Trinity Presbyterian (47-7) 3, Montgomery Catholic (39-8) 1 (28-26, 17-25, 25-10, 25-22)
 

 

 

NORTH SUPER REGIONAL, HUNTSVILLE 
October 20-21-22
CLASS 1A
First Round
Lindsay Lane (33-14) 3, Meek (11-18) 2
Covenant Christian (29-13) 3, Appalachian (9-19) 0
South Lamar (14-11) 3, Coosa Christian 0
Donoho (44-9) 3, Belgreen (21-30) 0
Ragland (18-16) 3, Hackleburg (18-14) 1
Cedar Bluff (27-22) 3, Holy Spirit Catholic (11-16) 0
Sumiton Christian (30-20) 3, Shoals Christian (12-9) 1
Marion County (22-12) 3, Decatur Heritage (13-32) 1
Quarterfinals
Lindsay Lane (34-14) 3, Covenant Christian (29-14) 0
Donoho (45-9) 3, South Lamar (14-12) 0
Ragland (19-16) 3, Cedar Bluff (27-23) 1
Marion County (23-12) 3, Sumiton Christian (30-21) 2
Semifinals
Donoho (46-9) 3, Lindsay Lane (34-15) 0
Ragland (20-16) 3, Marion County (23-13) 1
Championship
Donoho (47-9) 3, Ragland (20-17) 0 (25-12, 25-13,25-21)
Consolation 
Lindsay Lane (35-15) 3, Marion County (23-14) 0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-8)


CLASS 2A
First Round
Spring Garden (37-12) 3, Ider 0
Lexington (25-12) 3, Southeastern (8-13) 0
Hatton 3, Westminster-Oak Mountain (22-19) 0
Lamar County (30-5) 3, Falkville (10-10) 0
Athens Bible (13-16) 3, Red Bay (17-14) 1
Addison (42-6) 3, Altamont (20-12) 0
Mars Hill Bible (8-17) 3, West End (14-15) 0
Sand Rock (46-8) 3, Pisgah 0
Quarterfinals
Spring Garden (38-12) 3, Lexington (25-13) 0
Hatton 3, Lamar County (30-6) 0
Addison (43-6) 3, Athens Bible (13-17) 0
Sand Rock (47-8) 3, Mars Hill Bible (8-18) 0
Semifinals
Hatton (26-19) 3, Spring Garden (38-13) 1
Addison (44-6) 3, Sand Rock (47-9) 2 (21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-15, 15-13)
Championship
Addison (45-6) 3, Hatton (26-20) 1
Consolation 
Sand Rock (48-9) 3, Spring Garden (38-14) 1

CLASS 3A
First Round
Danville (47-22) 3, Hokes Bluff (12-17) 0
Pleasant Valley (18-19) 3, Lauderdale County (31-17) 1
Brindlee Mountain (32-14) 3, Walter Wellborn (21-17) 2
Fyffe (28-14) 3, Carbon Hill (32-16) 1
Plainview (46-16) 3, Winfield (17-16) 0
Susan Moore (47-7) 3, Saks (12-17) 0
Ohatchee (34-10) 3, Elkmont (19-17) 1
Geraldine (44-15) 3, Colbert Heights 0
Quarterfinals
Danville (48-22) 3, Pleasant Valley (18-20) 0
Fyffe (29-14) 3, Brindlee Mountain (32-15) 0
Plainview (47-16) 3, Susan Moore (47-8) 0
Geraldine (45-15) 3, Ohatchee (34-11) 2
Semifinals
Fyffe (30-14) 3, Danville (48-23) 1
Plainview (48-16) 3, Geraldine (45-16) 0
Championship
Plainview (48-16) 3, Fyffe (30-15) 0
Consolation 
Danville (49-23) 3, Geraldine (48-17) 1

CLASS 4A
First Round
West Morgan (40-11) 3, Fayette County (22-13) 0
Deshler (39-7) 3, Curry (22-18) 0
Jacksonville (25-18) 3, Priceville (25-21) 1
Madison County (36-14) 3, Etowah (16-8) 1
New Hope (24-11) 3, Oneonta (20-19) 0
Westminster Christian (35-8) 3, White Plains (11-35) 0
Good Hope (28-11) 3, Central-Florence (27-32) 1
Brooks (36-25) 3, Haleyville (23-23) 0
Quarterfinals
West Morgan (41-11) 3, Deshler (39-8) 1
Madison County (37-14) 3, Jacksonville (25-19) 0
Westminster Christian (36-8) 3, New Hope (24-12) 0
Good Hope (29-11) 3, Brooks (36-26) 0
Semifinals
Madison County (38-14), 3, West Morgan (41-12) 1
Westminster Christian (37-8) 3, Good Hope (29-12) 0
Championship
Westminster Christian (38-8) 3, Madison County (38-15) 1 (25-15, 19-25, 27-25, 25-19)
Consolation 
West Morgan (42-12) 3, Good Hope (29-13) 0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-14)

CLASS 5A
First Round
Madison Academy (35-22) 3, Hayden (26-11) 0
East Limestone (40-6) 3, St. Clair County 0
Ramsay 3, Sardis (27-24) 0
Guntersville (41-19) 3, Leeds (18-13) 0
Brewer (26-23) 3, Parker (15-8) 0
Boaz (44-24) 3, Pleasant Grove 1
Alexandria (39-14) 3, Ardmore 0
Lawrence County (44-18) 3, Corner (46-19) 0
Quarterfinals
East Limestone (41-6) 3, Madison Academy (35-23) 2
Ramsay (16-15) 3, Guntersville (41-20) 0
Brewer (27-23) 3, Boaz (44-25) 0
Lawrence County (45-18) 3, Alexandria (39-15) 0
Semifinals
East Limestone (42-6) 3, Ramsay (22-17) 1 
Brewer (28-23) 3, Lawrence County (45-19) 2
Championship
East Limestone (43-6) 3, Brewer (28-24) 1
Consolation 
Lawrence County (46-19) 3, Ramsay (22-18) 2

CLASS 6A
First Round
Arab (41-24) 3, Mortimer Jordan (13-9) 0
Hazel Green (27-12) 3, Woodlawn (16-27) 0
Mountain Brook (36-12) 3, Southside-Gadsden (45-13) 0
Cullman (38-21) 3, Jasper (36-16) 2
Hartselle (35-24) 3, Minor (7-29) 0
Homewood (28-13) 3, Springville (42-18) 0
Athens (34-16) 3, Shades Valley (10-23) 0
Fort Payne (24-27) 3, Clay-Chalkville (16-5) 0
Quarterfinals
Hazel Green (28-12) 3, Arab (41-25) 0
Mountain Brook (37-12) 3, Cullman (38-22) 0
Homewood (29-13) 3, Hartselle (35-25) 0
Athens (35-16) 3, Fort Payne (24-28) 0
Semifinals
Mountain Brook (38-12) 3, Hazel Green (28-13) 1
Athens (35-16) 3, Homewood (29-14) 1
Championship
Mountain Brook (39-12) 3, Athens (35-17) 1
Consolation 
Homewood (30-14) 3, Hazel Green (28-14) 0

CLASS 7A
Quarterfinals
Sparkman (49-11) 3, Bob Jones (37-11) 1
Thompson (27-10) 3, Vestavia Hills (27-11) 1
Grissom (26-21) 3, James Clemens (29-21) 1
Spain Park (42-4) 3, Hoover (29-16) 1
Semifinals
Thompson (28-10) 3, Sparkman (49-12) 0
Spain Park (43-4) 3, Grissom (26-22) 0
Championship
Spain Park (44-4) 3, Thompson (28-11) 0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-13)
Consolation 
Sparkman (50-12) 3, Grissom (26-23) 0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-11)

 

Lawrence County High School Presents Head Coach Robyn Hutto with her 1,000^th Coaching win: 

The Lady Red Devils beat Ramsay 3-2 in the North Super Regional 
Class 5A consolation match for third and fourth seed for next week’s 51^st AHSAA State 
Volleyball Championships at Birmingham’s CrossPlex Oct. 27-28-29. Hutto’s team is
46-19 after Thursday night’s win at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center.

NORTH SUPER REGIONAL, HUNTSVILLE 
October 20-21-22
CLASS 1A
First Round
Lindsay Lane (33-14) 3, Meek (11-18) 2
Covenant Christian (29-13) 3, Appalachian (9-19) 0
South Lamar (14-11) 3, Coosa Christian 0
Donoho (44-9) 3, Belgreen (21-30) 0
Ragland (18-16) 3, Hackleburg (18-14) 1
Cedar Bluff (27-22) 3, Holy Spirit Catholic (11-16) 0
Sumiton Christian (30-20) 3, Shoals Christian (12-9) 1
Marion County (22-12) 3, Decatur Heritage (13-32) 1
Quarterfinals
Lindsay Lane (34-14) 3, Covenant Christian (29-14) 0
Donoho (45-9) 3, South Lamar (14-12) 0
Ragland (19-16) 3, Cedar Bluff (27-23) 1
Marion County (23-12) 3, Sumiton Christian (30-21) 2
Semifinals
Lindsay Lane (34-14) vs. Donoho (45-9), Friday, 10 a.m.
Ragland (19-16) vs. Marion County (23-12), Friday, 10 a.m.
Championship
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.
Consolation 
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.


CLASS 2A
First Round
Spring Garden (37-12) 3, Ider 0
Lexington (25-12) 3, Southeastern (8-13) 0
Hatton 3, Westminster-Oak Mountain (22-19) 0
Lamar County (30-5) 3, Falkville (10-10) 0
Athens Bible (13-16) 3, Red Bay (17-14) 1
Addison (42-6) 3, Altamont (20-12) 0
Mars Hill Bible (8-17) 3, West End (14-15) 0
Sand Rock (46-8) 3, Pisgah 0
Quarterfinals
Spring Garden (38-12) 3, Lexington (25-13) 0
Hatton 3, Lamar County (30-6) 0
Addison (43-6) 3, Athens Bible (13-17) 0
Sand Rock (47-8) 3, Mars Hill Bible (8-18) 0
Semifinals
Hatton (26-19) 3, Spring Garden (38-13) 1
Addison (44-6) 3, Sand Rock (47-9) 2 (21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-15, 15-13)
Championship
Addison (45-6) 3, Hatton (26-20) 1
Consolation 
Sand Rock (48-9) 3, Spring Garden (38-14) 1

CLASS 3A
First Round
Danville (47-22) 3, Hokes Bluff (12-17) 0
Pleasant Valley (18-19) 3, Lauderdale County (31-17) 1
Brindlee Mountain (32-14) 3, Walter Wellborn (21-17) 2
Fyffe (28-14) 3, Carbon Hill (32-16) 1
Plainview (46-16) 3, Winfield (17-16) 0
Susan Moore (47-7) 3, Saks (12-17) 0
Ohatchee (34-10) 3, Elkmont (19-17) 1
Geraldine (44-15) 3, Colbert Heights 0
Quarterfinals
Danville (48-22) 3, Pleasant Valley (18-20) 0
Fyffe (29-14) 3, Brindlee Mountain (32-15) 0
Plainview (47-16) 3, Susan Moore (47-8) 0
Geraldine (45-15) 3, Ohatchee (34-11) 2
Semifinals
Fyffe (30-14) 3, Danville (48-23) 1
Plainview (48-16) 3, Geraldine (45-16) 0
Championship
Plainview (48-16) 3, Fyffe (30-15) 0
Consolation 
Danville (49-23) 3, Geraldine (48-17) 1

CLASS 4A
First Round
West Morgan (40-11) 3, Fayette County (22-13) 0
Deshler (39-7) 3, Curry (22-18) 0
Jacksonville (25-18) 3, Priceville (25-21) 1
Madison County (36-14) 3, Etowah (16-8) 1
New Hope (24-11) 3, Oneonta (20-19) 0
Westminster Christian (35-8) 3, White Plains (11-35) 0
Good Hope (28-11) 3, Central-Florence (27-32) 1
Brooks (36-25) 3, Haleyville (23-23) 0
Quarterfinals
West Morgan (41-11) 3, Deshler (39-8) 1
Madison County (37-14) 3, Jacksonville (25-19) 0
Westminster Christian (36-8) 3, New Hope (24-12) 0
Good Hope (29-11) 3, Brooks (36-26) 0
Semifinals
West Morgan (41-11) vs. Madison County (37-14), Friday, 10 a.m.
Westminster Christian (36-8) vs. Good Hope (29-11), Friday, 10 a.m.
Championship
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.
Consolation 
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.

CLASS 5A
First Round
Madison Academy (35-22) 3, Hayden (26-11) 0
East Limestone (40-6) 3, St. Clair County 0
Ramsay 3, Sardis (27-24) 0
Guntersville (41-19) 3, Leeds (18-13) 0
Brewer (26-23) 3, Parker (15-8) 0
Boaz (44-24) 3, Pleasant Grove 1
Alexandria (39-14) 3, Ardmore 0
Lawrence County (44-18) 3, Corner (46-19) 0
Quarterfinals
East Limestone (41-6) 3, Madison Academy (35-23) 2
Ramsay (16-15) 3, Guntersville (41-20) 0
Brewer (27-23) 3, Boaz (44-25) 0
Lawrence County (45-18) 3, Alexandria (39-15) 0
Semifinals
East Limestone (42-6) 3, Ramsay (22-17) 1 
Brewer (28-23) 3, Lawrence County (45-19) 2
Championship
East Limestone (43-6) 3, Brewer (28-34) 1 (corrected)
Consolation 
Lawrence County (46-19) 3, Ramsay (22-18) 2

CLASS 6A
First Round
Arab (41-24) 3, Mortimer Jordan (13-9) 0
Hazel Green (27-12) 3, Woodlawn (16-27) 0
Mountain Brook (36-12) 3, Southside-Gadsden (45-13) 0
Cullman (38-21) 3, Jasper (36-16) 2
Hartselle (35-24) 3, Minor (7-29) 0
Homewood (28-13) 3, Springville (42-18) 0
Athens (34-16) 3, Shades Valley (10-23) 0
Fort Payne (24-27) 3, Clay-Chalkville (16-5) 0
Quarterfinals
Mountain Brook (38-12) 3, Hazel Green (28-13) 1
Athens (35-16) 3, Homewood (29-14) 1
Championship
Mountain Brook (39-12) 3, Athens (35-17) 1
Consolation 
Homewood (30-14) 3, Hazel Green (28-14) 0

CLASS 7A
Quarterfinals
Sparkman (49-11) 3, Bob Jones (37-11) 1
Thompson (27-10) 3, Vestavia Hills (27-11) 1
Grissom (26-21) 3, James Clemens (29-21) 1
Spain Park (42-4) 3, Hoover (29-16) 1
Semifinals
Sparkman (49-11) vs. Thompson (27-10), Friday, 10 a.m.
Grissom (26-21) vs. Spain Park (42-4), Friday, 10 a.m.
Championship
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.
Consolation 
Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.

 

AHSAA FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Thursday, October 21 Results
AHSAA TV Network/WOTM TV Game of the Week
Maplesville 42, Autaugaville 6
CLASS 6A
Opelika 37, Park Crossing 0
CLASS 5A
Faith Academy 41, B.C. Rain 7
John Carroll Catholic 45, Wenonah 7 (corrected)
Rehobeth 32, Northside Methodist 8
Russellville 49, Lee-Huntsville 14
CLASS 4A
Brooks 47, Wilson 0
Priceville 56, West Limestone 50 (OT)
CLASS 3A

Providence Christian 41, Daleville 7
CLASS 2A
Elba 40, Houston County 12
Leroy 35, Washington County 9
Mars Hill Bible 64, Tharptown 13
Midfield 52, Francis Marion 6

 

Alabama Crimson Tide Public Autograph Signing at Parkway Place Mall October 30th and 31st, 2021

[HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA] – Sports Collectibles will be hosting a public autograph session at Parkway Place Mall October 30th and 31st featuring multiple stars of the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team. The lineup for Saturday, October 30th, begins with Jordan Battle and Josh Jobe signing from 12:30pm until 1:45pm, followed by Brian Robinson Jr. from 1:45pm until 3:00pm—all appearing courtesy of Fanatics. Sunday’s lineup features Quarterback Bryce Young (appearing courtesy of CSA Shows), along with teammates Jaheel Billingsley and JoJo Earle, beginning at 12:00pm. More athletes may be added in the coming week. Tickets can be purchased on-site during the signings or online through Friday 10/29 at SportsCollectibles.com. If fans are unable to make it to the signing, certain items may be pre-ordered online to be mailed to the customer after the signing is complete.

Sports Collectibles hosted a private signing for CSA Shows with Bryce Young in September. It was the first signing for the Crimson Tide Quarterback. Sports Collectibles has enjoyed working with many current players since the NCAA updated the name, image and likeness rules for college athletes in July 2021.

SportsCollectibles.com, a fast-growing brand recognizable in the sports memorabilia industry, is synonymous with excellence, authenticity and great value. Over the last nine years, SportsCollectibles.com has hosted signings with sports figures like Urban Meyer, Luke Kuechly, Nick Chubb, Pete Rose, Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, Bobby Bowden, Nick Saban and more. Other SportsCollectibles.com exclusive athletes have included Dwayne Haskins, Eddie George and two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, SportsCollectibles.com is a subsidiary of The Sports Mall, LLC.

Parkway Place Mall, home to Dillard's, Belk and over 80 specialty stores and restaurants, is located off Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231) at the intersection of U.S. 231 and Drake Avenue in Huntsville.

The rains came and Mac Jones hijacked the Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick spectacle

On a night that was supposed to drive the final nail in the coffin of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick saga, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones turned heads with a gutsy performance. The skies opened up and the rains pounded Gillette Stadium at Foxborough, but you better believe brighter days are coming with No. 10 under center. 

No one expected the Patriots to win in a Sunday Night Football showdown with a returning Brady and the defending Super Bowl champs. These were his old stomping grounds, and he clearly wanted to stomp his cleats into Belichick’s backside. 

And Jones was just the middle man in it all.

So much was made about the nerves of Brady and Belichick that no one ever really stopped to think about the emotions the 23-year-old gunslinger was going through. It’s arguably the biggest regular season game in NFL history, and he was caught up in a maelstrom of a media fury featuring the greatest quarterback and coach of all time. 

Imagine being Jones and looking across the field and seeing a fired up Brady run down the sidelines screaming, “Let’s [expletive] go.” It was essentially a guy that he has admired and looked up to as a kid. Brady was winning Super Bowls when Jones was preschool age. 

There was also the pressure on Belichick—and Jones not to let him down—to not allow his former quarterback to just waltz right into Foxborough and embarrass his football team. Considering the Buccaneers have an impenetrable wall on the defensive front, everything was going to fall on Jones’ shoulders and the passing attack to compete offensively—all while having Shaquil Barrett, Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea and William Gholston in his face. 

And boy, were they in his face. 

Jones was smashed, slammed and contorted into a pretzel by the Buccaneers defense on nearly every drive. But he stood like a wild man in traffic willingly accepting of the human car crashes that came when he threw the ball. 

Not every rookie could perform under that kind of pressure. Jones finished the game 31-of-40 for 275 passing yards and two touchdowns as opposed to Brady’s 22-of-43 passing for 269 yards and no touchdowns. 

Granted, the Patriots didn’t win the game, but they had every opportunity to pull off the upset. Jones threw an interception, and running back J.J. Taylor coughed up a costly fumble in the game. And yet, despite both of those backbreaking mistakes, the Patriots offense had the ball late in the fourth quarter for a chance to respond to what ended up being a game-winning drive by Brady and company. 

After having a third-down pass batted down by Buccaneers All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David, Jones would have had the chance to convert a fourth-and-3 on the Bucs’ side of the field with only 59 seconds left in the game. 

But Belichick opted to take the ball out of his rookie quarterback’s hands and entrust kicker Nick Folk to knock a 56-yarder through the uprights instead. 

It was a poor decision. 

The Buccaneers’ secondary was devastated with injuries, and the Patriots offense had them on the ropes. Folk was kicking into the wind in a torrential downpour of rain from what would have been a career-long distance. 

Even if he did hit the field goal, Brady would have had more time than he needed with two timeouts to march the ball right back down the field in the other direction and win the game. And he would have only needed a field goal to do it. 

It’s crazy to think a coach rarely known for playing it safe did exactly that when the game was on the line. 

So where does Jones go from here?

Well, he’ll continue to get better and learn on the fly. Even with all of the new pieces, the Patriots were never going to be a playoff contender this year. They still need a true No. 1 receiver, the offensive line needs to settle down and Jones needs more time to develop. 

But it’s hard not to leave that game feeling hopeful if you’re a Patriots or Mac Jones fan. That didn’t look like the fifth-best quarterback of the 2021 NFL Draft on Sunday night. With Brady standing at the other end and a spotlight beaming as bright as the sun, the No. 15 overall pick proved he belonged. 

What more can you ask? 

Sorry Lane Kiffin, the popcorn comes later for this Alabama team

The Ole Miss Rebels lasted about as long as Facebook on a Monday in Saturday’s blowout loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Lane Kiffin was right about one thing: You should get your popcorn ready—for later in season.

The speeding locomotive carrying the defending national champions doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/1444386997112647685

Ole Miss was supposed to be the Joe Frazier to Alabama’s Muhammad Ali—that one team that could dance with them under the bright lights and mirror their offensive firepower. They did it once before last season and garnered respect in a losing effort. 

But some believed the second time might be different with the Ole Miss roster more mature and seemingly more improved. It was only a couple weeks ago that quarterback Matt Corral surpassed Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on the list of Heisman favorites.

Throw in the fact that the Rebels had an entire week off and it was sure to be trouble at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

And yet, the game was already over by halftime.

The Crimson Tide exploded to a 28-0 lead before closing the show with a 42-21 victory to put the rest of the SEC on notice.

https://twitter.com/JamieErdahl/status/1444427175260823552

We’ve reached the part of the season where the real contenders are slowly starting to show themselves. Alabama is clearly on a collision course with Georgia before it’s all said and done.

Coach Nick Saban will sing the praises of the Crimson Tide’s Week 6 opponent, Texas A&M, like he should, but they’re also a team coming off back-to-back losses a few weeks after fighting for their lives to beat Colorado. I wouldn’t exactly count them among the teams with a realistic shot of actually knocking off Alabama, even if the game is on the road. 

Mississippi State can’t run the football, and Tennessee is an accident waiting to happen. Meanwhile, LSU can’t convert on third down, and their starting quarterback, sophomore Max Johnson, has been pancaked more times than an IHOP griddle. 

The unbeaten Tide could keep on rolling into late November.

That’s when it’ll be safe to grab your favorite stovetop kernels, coconut oil, a little Ghee butter and some sea salt. It’ll be the point when Arkansas and Auburn come up on the schedule, followed by another possible SEC Championship game and playoff appearance. 

But keep the WWE-like promos coming, by all means. Kiffin nearly killed a headset during his popcorn comments over the weekend, and Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said his Aggies were going to “beat Saban’s ass” back in May. Who doesn’t love a little hype and drama, even if it’s all in fun, before games? 

But reality has to set in at some point, and many of these coaches might look up at the scoreboard wondering what in the world they were thinking. 

Just ask Kiffin.