Cullman 17, E.B. Erwin14
For the second time in as many weeks, the Cullman Bearcats faced an opponent that was predicted to have a major impact on the region championship and playoff race.
For the second consecutive week, Cullman's defense stepped up to help get the win as the secondary recorded four interceptions in a 17-14 victory at Erwin.
"When things got tough, you sucked it up and got after it and you played with class," Bearcats' head coach Mark Britton told his players after the game. "I'm proud of you."
The special teams got Cullman on the scoreboard first when John Nyquist hit a 34-yard field goal with 7:27 remaining in the opening quarter.
Nyquist extended the lead with a field goal from 30 yards out with 9:44 remaining in the first half.
Erwin tied the game with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter when Kevin Williams ran across the goal line. The two teams went into intermission tied at 6-6 after a failed conversion by the Eagles.
Erwin then took the lead in the third quarter when Anthony Bowie connected with Hence Owens for a 24-yard touchdown followed by a pass to Uhomba Priestley for the two-point conversion and the eight-point lead.
Cullman got on the comeback trail early in the fourth quarter when Nyquist connected for his third field goal of the night — this time a 52-yarder — for cut the lead to five points.
Erwin's ensuing drive ended when Zeb Smith intercepted a pass at the Eagles' 35-yard line and returned it to the 1-yard line.
Cullman running back Michael Timmons then punched it into the end zone on the next play to take a one-point lead.
Cullman converted the two-point conversion for the three-point lead when Chris Fisher connected with Russell Miller with 1:36 remaining.
Erwin threatened to drive down the field, but Joseph Goodwin put the drive to an end with an interception as time ran out sealing the Bearcat victory on the road.
"I knew Erwin had to pass it, so I just prepared, watched and waited for the ball," Goodwin said about the final play.
In addition to the interceptions by Goodwin and Smith, Sam Edwards also picked off an Erwin pass for Cullman.
"This was like a heavyweight fight," Britton said. "It was big play after big play."
Good Hope 34, Vinemont 12
VINEMONT - Playing an arch rival was the perfect medicine Good Hope needed to erase the headache of a 3A, Region 7 loss last week.
It gave them motivation to have a good week of preparation that ended Friday evening at Eagle Stadium, pinning a 34-12 defeat on Vinemont to move to 1-1 in the regional standings.
Matt Blackmon's 85-yard kickoff return coming 12 seconds after Vinemont scored, setting the tone for the rest of the night for the Raiders. Ryan Hodges had the right touch on the football completing seven of nine passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns and had a rushing TD as Good Hope amassed 372 yards of offense and had Vinemont on its heels after the first quarter.
The second quarter was dominated by the Raiders on both sides of the ball with 165 yards offensively and allowing the Eagles eight yards, one in the passing department.
"Good Hope played a great football game," Vinemont coach Ferrell Runge said. "They dominated both sides of the ball. We didn't execute."
At first, the Eagles had the momentum and moved 68 yards in nine plays as Cody Harris took it in from a yard out. The extra point was missed, and the Eagles were up 6-0 with 7:02 to play in the opening period.
Vinemont kicked off as Blackmon fielded at his 15, followed blocking and raced down the left sideline for the score that tied the game. Patrick Whitehead booted the extra point and the Raiders moved in front 7-6.
Coach Chris Moss watched his Raiders put together a solid second period in spite of the stadium clock not functioning, which was corrected by halftime. On a drive that carried into the next quarter ended when Hodges plunged over from the 1. Whitehead followed with the conversion and a 14-6 lead.
The next time the Raiders touched the ball, they were back in the end zone. Hodges found Blackmon open for 58 yards and the score with 7:26 remaining. The extra point was blocked but the Raiders led at the half 20-6.
"We cut down on our mistakes," Moss said. "The kids played hard. This is very big for us."
Hodges teamed with Jamie Epperly for 55 yards and a TD in the third quarter to extend Good Hope's advantage to 27-6. The duo were back at it on the second play of the final period to up the margin to 34-6. Whitehead finished the night converting on four of five extra point attempts.
New Hope 28, Holly Pond 14
HOLLY POND — The New Hope Indians defeated Holly Pond (1-2, 1-1 3A Region 7) 28-14 on Friday night led by a strong rushing attack from Cameron Cross. He finished the night with 170 rushing yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, New Hope (2-1, 1-1 3A Region 7) drew first blood with a 10 yard run from Josh Wilbourn, making the score 6-0 in favor of the visitors. The extra point attempt from Myles Harding put the Indians ahead 7-0 with 5:55 remaining in the first half.
The Indians would score again with 2:12 left in the second quarter. Cross had a trailblazing 61-yard run to paydirt on a first and 10 from the New Hope 39 yard line.
New Hope tacked on another touchdown with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter. New Hope senior Jordon Harkins caught a 10-yard pass from junior quarterback Austin Wilkinson. Harding's extra point attempt was good, putting the Indians ahead 21-0.
Holly Pond got their first score of the game when Bronco senior Wesley Mayfield caught a pass from quarterback Joey Hawkins.
The Broncos turned the ball over to close out the third quarter, and on the esuing drive New Hope's Cross struck again burning the Bronco defense for a 29-yard run for a touchdown.
Holly Pond last touchdown of the night was set up by a pass interference penalty against New Hope at the 4:51 mark in the fourth quarter and a roughing the passer penalty against the Indians just 10 seconds later. Bronco senior Tyler Phillips caught a 9-yard pass from Hawkins. Hawkins' extra point was good, making the score 28-14 with 3:08 remaining in the game.
Madison Academy 41, Hanceville 14
The host Mustangs (2-1, 2-0 3A, Region 7) rode a stout defense and a strong running game to build a 34-0 halftime lead.
Jeremy Rice opened the scoring with a three-yard run with 5:41 left in the first quarter and scored again just two minutes later. In the second quarter K.K. Horton scored on touchdown runs of seven and 51 yards while Lance Clark returned a punt 65 yards for another score.
The Mustangs held Hanceville (0-3, 0-2) to 179 total yards.
Hanceville got on the scoreboard late when Tristian Purifoy picked up a fumble and returned it 61 yards for a score, and Zach White threw a 42-yard pass to Jeff Watts for the final score of the game.
Lynn 40, St. Bernard 6
Things were looking good for St. Bernard early in the game when the Saints drove down the field on the opening drive and took their first lead of the season. But their fortunes would turn in the final three quarters of the game and the Saints fell 40-6.
After converting three fourth downs, Robert Moody ran 26 yards for what would be St. Bernard's only score of the game.
Preston Fuchs led the Saints with 142 yards on 11 carries, and Sean Gardner finished the night with 94 yards on 12 carries.
St. Bernard head coach Dafford Smith was frustrated after the game.
"I think we took a step backwards tonight," Smith said. "Pass defense has been hurting us all season, and we didn't show any improvement tonight.
"The penalties hurt us also as we shot ourselves in the foot."
Smith said there were positives in the loss.
"We competed against another top 10 team, and we kept fighting against them," Smith said. "We can only get better from here, and we'll get back to practice to try to do it."
Lynn quarterback Dustin Cagle finished the game completing 14 of 18 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown, while Daniel Farris had two touchdowns on runs of 7 and 4 yards, and Drew Meadows had a score from 31 yards out.
After building a 21-6 halftime lead, Cagle connected with Matthew Cagle for a 67-yard score in the third quarter.
The Bears added two more scores in the final quarter when Steve Cagle ran seven yards and Drew Meadows ran 5 yards for the final score of the night.
Athens 42, West Point 0
WEST POINT — If there is such a thing as a moral victory, the West Point Warriors discovered what it felt like Friday night.
Even though West Point was shutout by a score of 42-0 by Athens High School, the scoreboard doesn't tell the story for the Warriors.
"Tonight's progress was a product of hard work during practice," said Warriors head coach Michael Simmons. "I don't know how else to say it but that we were out athleted."
The Warriors, in their first season in 5A, are of the smallest school is its class. Athens was ranked No. 4 in the state coming into the game and is one of the biggest school's at the 5A level.
West Point finally took the next step towards rebuilding the program with the offense controlling the clock and sustaining drives. The defense showed progress by competing at the line of scrimmage and the unit finally started finishing tackles.
The Warrior defense held the Golden Eagles to just seven points in the first quarter, but things started to come apart in the second quarter as Athens quarterback Robbie Ezell began picking apart the secondary.
After ending the first quarter with a one touchdown lead, Ezell hooked up with his recievers for three touchdown passes to end the half up 28-0.
"It was tough going there in the first quarter, but that was a product West Point playing hard," said Athens head coach Allen Creasy. "Those kids played their hears out. Our depth got to them a little bit and we were able to get fresh legs out there on the field."
West Point started off the game in better form than any other this season, but according to Simmons the numbers game played a big factor.
"A moral victory is something you would rather not have," Simmons said. "But in this situation, playing against tough teams with more depth, it gives a confidence builder, especially after that first half."
Ezell had a big game for the Golden Eagles throwing for 231 yards off eight completion's. He also threw for three touchdowns in the game.
Vincent 12, Cold Springs 9
Cold Springs fell at home Friday night to Vincent 12-9.
VIncent scored first with a touchdown, but the Eagles would respond with a tourchdown to go into halftime tied at 6-6.
The second half would begin as the first one left off with both teams coming up short on their first drives.
On the Eagles second drive of the half they would begin to show signs of life managing to put together a strong drive, but came up short, missing a 31 yard field goal.
"I am proud I challenged them at the half and they responded, they gave us the drive to win the game with a field goal, we were just beat up after that drive, losing starters, and we just could not hold on," said Cold Springs coach Alex Stephenson.
Dora 61, Fairview 14
DORA — The Dora Bulldogs wasted no time in disposing of the Fairview Aggies 61-14 in a Class 4A, Region 5 game Friday night at Horace Roberts Field.
In the first half, Dora (2-1, 1-1 in the region) scored 41 points in only 12 offensive plays en route to a 41-6 halftime lead over the Aggies (0-3, 0-2). The Bulldogs found the end zone in a variety of ways in the half including on the ground, through the air, off a fumble return, and via kickoff return. Head coach Johnny Wright said he was pleased with his team's effort.
Fairview was led by running back Zac Strong who ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Aggies rushed for 207 yards on 62 carries in the game but managed only six yards through the air for 213 total yards.
Addison 64, Winston County 27
The Addison Bulldogs picked up a win on Homecoming night against county rival Winston County as Blake Turner stole the show for a second straight week.
Addison jumped out to a 6-0 lead just two minutes into the game after Turner's 69-yard touchdown run. The Yellow Jackets offense was stagnate in the first quarter as Addison kept Winston Co. out of the end zone in the first quarter. The Bulldogs would go into the second quarter with an 18-0 lead.
At the start of the second quarter Winston Co. struggled to get things going until Adam Flanigan stopped the bleeding with a 12-yard Touchdown run at the 11 minute mark. However, Addison would not let their homecoming be spoiled as Jake Gilliland responded with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs went on to score three more touchdown's before the end of the half.
Turner returned the second half opening kickoff 85 yards to tack on six more points. After Winston Co. responded with a scoring drive of their own, Turner returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for another Addison touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a healthy 58-19 lead.
"My line is the best," said Turner. "They blocked great and give me a chance to run."
Addison head coach Randy White was pleased with his teams performance but he said he felt the team still needs to minimize mistakes.
"We played good, but we are still making to many mistakes," White said. "We have a lot to work before Cherokee next week."
