From Special Reports
SULLIGENT, Ala. — Aliceville High School football coach Charles Moody felt like his Yellow Jackets played their most complete game of the season Friday night.
Aliceville scored first-half touchdowns and cruised to a 46-3 win over Sulligent in an Alabama High School Activities Association Class 2A, Region 4 matchup.
“We did a lot of things well,” Moody said. “The important thing is that we were able to complete drives. Offensively, we have moved the ball well this season. We did a lot better job of finishing drives. Defensively, it was our best effort of the season.”
For Aliceville (2-1 overall, 2-0 region), quarterback Santiago Taylor completed 14-of-19 passes for 282 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception. Christopher Crowell had eight receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.
In the first quarter, Taylor hit Cody Davis for a 57-yard touchdown and Joe Robinson for a 6-yard touchdown. That was followed up in the second quarter by 94-yard drive which ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Darrion Manning and a 99-yard drive which ended with Taylor hitting Crowell from 11 yards out.
In the third quarter, Stephon Dunner scored on a 9-yard run and Davis scored on a 75-yard run. The final touchdown was Taylor hitting Jamar Richardson on a 65-yard scoring strike.
“We had three drives of 10 or more plays, that is really big for our offense,” Moody said. “I thought we did a really good job of creating some balance and getting some good play out of some of the younger guys. Starting 2-0 in region play is huge for this team.”
Defensively, Terrelle Steele and JeQuendez Hill each had 12 tackles for the Yellow Jackets. Anfernee Mullins added 10 tackles and a sack.
Sulligent (0-3, 0-2) broke up the shutout in the closing minutes when Patrick Gram hit a 24-yard field goal.
Both teams remain in region play next week. Sulligent plays host to Lamar County, while Aliceville plays host to Cold Springs (2-1, 1-1).
Lamar County 45, Hatch 0: At Uniontown, Ala., the Bulldogs threw their second shutout of the season in this easy Class 2A, Region 4 victory. Earlier this season, Lamar County shut out county rival South Lamar, 41-0.
Lamar County (3-0 overall, 2-0 region) held Hatch (0-3, 0-2) to 96 yards of total offense, including 37 rushing yards. The stellar defensive effort was highlighted by a 67-yard interception return for touchdown by Tim Horton.
Ty Herron and Ryan Barham each had a team-high four tackles. Herron also had a sack.
“We have really grown up a lot on defense this season,” Lamar County coach Ken Adams said. “We have a little more speed there and it is paying dividends.”
Offensively, the Bulldogs had a 61-yard touchdown rush by Horton. Cullen Carter threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Devin Dias and also called his own number on a 2-yard touchdown rush. Dallas Cockerham and Dyshun Williams also had rushing scores for Lamar County.
“We have had some really good starts this year,” Adams said. “The mind-set has been good and we have been able to get things going early. Once you have some success, it gives your more confidence for the rest of the game.”
Lamar County visits Sulligent (0-3, 0-2) for another region game Friday night.
Pickens County 78, Lynn 12: At Reform, Ala., the Tornadoes kept its high-flying offense going Friday night in Class 1A, Region 5 play.
A week after tallying 51 points in a region win over South Lamar, Pickens County blew past that point total in the third quarter against Lynn (1-2, 0-2).
“The thing you guard against is having a let-down,” Pickens County coach Patrick Plott said. “The kids came out ready to play. They were energized, focused and got a big region win.”
Quarterback Devonte Simon rushed for three touchdowns, passed for two touchdowns and also returned an interception for another score. Simon scored on runs of 55 yards, 44 yards and one yard. A 42-yard touchdown pass went to brother, Deonte Simon and an 87-yard scoring strike went to Jamarcus Brown. The interception return carried 75 yards.
Brown rushed for 125 yards on five carries, with touchdown runs of 68 and 30 yards. Chris Hill added touchdown runs of six and 48 yards.
Darrien Latham also added a 2-yard touchdown run.
Defensively, the Tornadoes were led by six tackles and a sack from Justin Burton. Dante Hughes also had five tackles.
Pickens County plays host to Brilliant (2-1, 2-0) in another region game Friday night.
Brilliant 22, South Lamar 12: At Brilliant, Ala., the Stallions battled but could not break into the win column in this Class 1A, Region 5 contest.
For South Lamar (0-3 overall, 0-2 region), Canaan Fleming had a 7-yard touchdown run and later threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Patrick.
Brilliant (2-1, 1-1) was led by 77 rushing yards by Seth Nelson. Nelson scored on touchdown runs of 40 yards and one yard. Chance Key also scored on a 29-yard run.
South Lamar plays at Lynn (1-2, 0-2) in another region contest Friday night.
Pickens Academy 35, Southern Academy 18: At Carrollton, Ala., the Pirates improved to 3-0 with this non-region Alabama Independent School Association win.
Pickens Academy picked up 15 first downs and 439 yards of total offense. The Pirates ran 31 times for 350 yards and made a big first-half lead stand up.
“Offensively, we had a rhythm and played well,” Pickens Academy coach Josh Thacker said. “It was important that we started strong and I thought we did just that.”
Quarterback Josh Lewis ran for 261 yards (on 14 carries) and two touchdowns. Lewis scored on runs of 46 and 21 yards, while also throwing a 40-yard touchdown to Joseph McGlawn. Chance Britt added 87 yards on 14 rushes.
Pickens Academy also had two non-offensive touchdowns as Lewis returned interception 50 yards for a score and McGlawn returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown.
“It was a complete win,” Thacker said. “The defense has been making some really big plays this season. Specialty touchdowns like that can change a game around. They really gave us some momentum in this win.”
Southern Academy (1-2) managed nine first downs an 210 total yards. For the Cougars (1-2), Dylan Henry scored on an 80-yard kickoff return and a 2-yard touchdown run. Dylan Bamberg also caught a 15-yard touchdown from Clayton Hall.
Defensively for Pickens Academy, Ryan Harcrow had seven tackles, while Grant McRary and Daniel Powell each had six tackles. Powell and Jordan Davidson had pass interceptions.
Pickens Academy look for a 3-0 start in Class A, Region 2 play Friday night at South Choctaw Academy (1-2 overall, 0-1 region).
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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