The Lamar County High School football team can print playoff tickets.
The Bulldogs will host in the opening round of the Alabama High School Activities Association Class 2A playoffs. Lamar County earned that distinction by nailing down second place in Class 2A, Region 4 with a hard-fought 18-13 victory against Hale County in Moundville, Ala.
Lamar County improved to 7-2 and 6-1 in region play. The Bulldogs won their final six region games after dropping a 41-24 decision to Oakman in their region opener. Last season, Lamar County qualified for the playoffs as a four-seed.
The Bulldogs erased a 7-6 halftime deficit and trailed 13-6 in the third quarter before rallying. Quarterback Dallas Cockerham hit Brandon Walker for a 52-yard touchdown pass to start the comeback.
Hale County (4-5, 4-3) fumbled on the next possession. The Bulldogs got the recovery and scored the game-winner nine players later on a 2-yard run by Cockerham. Cockerham also had the first half-touchdown on a 4-yard run.
The Wildcats had one last chance but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete at midfield in the final minute.
Hale County secured the fourth playoff spot in the region despite the defeat. Aaron Sheffield scored on a 10-yard reception from Deacon Medders. Grant Stevens also had a 20-yard touchdown run.
Lamar County will closes the regular season with non-region game Friday at home against Winfield.
n Aliceville 68, Marion 8: At Marion, Ala., the Yellow Jackets won to secure the third playoff spot in Class 2A, Region 4. It is a second straight playoff appearance for Aliceville, which hosted in the Class 3A playoffs last season.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 5-4 and 5-2 in region play. Aliceville dropped region games to Oakman (50-36) and Lamar County (44-14).
Aliceville will close the regular season Friday with a non-region game at Greene County.
n Hatch 30, Sulligent 17: At Sulligent, Ala., the Blue Devils couldn’t make a 14-6 lead stand up as they lost their Class 2A, Region 4 finale.
Sulligent was eliminated from playoff consideration last week in an overtime loss at Hale County. The Blue Devils lost five of their final six region games and fell to 2-7 and 2-5 in region play.
Juwan Metcalfe rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown for Sulligent. Metcalfe started the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run. He also had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Roman Glass added a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Blue Devils a 14-6 lead. Sulligent also got a 30-yard field goal from Max Witzigmann in the fourth quarter.
Sulligent will close its regular season Friday when it plays host to South Lamar in a non-region game.
n Pickens County 49, Berry 22: At Berry, Ala., the Tornadoes wrapped up the second spot in Class 1A, Region 5 and will host a first-round playoff game Nov. 9.
Jermarcus Brown rushed for 252 yards and scored five touchdowns to pace Pickens County (8-1, 6-1). Brown scored on runs of 22, 10, and 94 yards. He also returned the second-half kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown and caught a 50-yard scoring pass from Devonte Simon.
Darrien Latham scored on a 4-yard run for Pickens County, while Deonte Simon caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Devonte Simon.
Clancy Brown had two touchdowns for Berry (6-3, 5-2), while J.C. Finch caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Maken Potter. Tank Hollingsworth led Berry with 100 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Despite the defeat, the Wildcats clinched the third playoff berth from this region.
Pickens County will close its regular season Thursday with a non-region home game against rival Gordo.
n Parrish 48, South Lamar 22: At Parrish, Ala., the Stallions dropped their ninth straight in their final Class 1A, Region 5 game this season.
For South Lamar (0-9, 0-7), Hershel Smith carried 14 times for 163 yards. Smith scored on touchdown runs of 36, 27, and 12 yards.
Jermichael Harris passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two more for Parrish (5-5, 3-4). Marcus Harris caught two touchdowns and Reginald Harris also had a receiving score for the Tornadoes, who were eliminated from postseason consideration last week.
South Lamar will close the regular season Friday against non-region rival Sulligent.
n Clarke Prep 56, Pickens Academy 27: At Grove Hill, the Pirates enter postseason play next week trying to a snap a two-game losing streak.
By virtue of winning the Alabama Independent Schools Association Class A, Region 2 championship, Pickens Academy (8-2) will play host to Lakeside Academy in a first-round playoff game Friday night.
Against Clarke Prep, Josh Lewis threw for 155 yards and two scores. He also rushed for another. Lewis hit Joel Pratt for a 60-yard touchdown and Sam Beachler for a 25-yard touchdown. Lewis also scored on a 5-yard run.
Joseph McGlawn had four rushes for 74 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown run, for Pickens Academy. Pratt led the Pirates with 107 receiving yards.
Lakeside Academy earned the fourth playoff spot from Class A, Region 1. The Chiefs are 5-5 and 3-3 in region play after a 29-26 non-region win against Springwood Academy on Friday night.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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