Week 6 AHSAA Spotlight

AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 6

Rehobeth QB Peyton Stephens Sparks Rebels Last-Second Victory over Greenville

Montgomery, AL – Rehobeth High School quarterback Peyton Stephens sprinted six yards for a touchdown on the final play of the Rebels game last Friday to give the RHS a 19-16 win over Greenville. The play completed a dramatic Class 5A, Region 2 comeback win in the final two minutes and grabbed the AHSAA Football Spotlight for Week 6 of the 2020 football season.

Rehobeth, coached by Pate Harrison, trailed 16-7 with less than three minutes remaining before Mason Rivers scored on a short run with 2:06 left to cut the deficit to three. After an unsuccessful onside kick, the Rebels forced a Greenville punt and had the ball at its own 31 with just over a minute remaining. 

Rehobeth pulled out the hook-and-ladder play on the first snap with Stephens passing to Rivers, who caught the pass and pitched back to Brandon Austin, who took it down the Rebels sideline to the Greenville 36 before being tackled. A pass to Rivers got the ball inside the 15, and after a spike, a short completion and a Greenville penalty, Rehobeth had the ball at the Greenville 6-yard line with 7.6 seconds left.

With the ball on the left hash mark, Stephens rolled out to his right and sprinted to the pylon and dove in for the game-winning score. It was just the second victory in the series with Greenville in nine games for the Rebels. Rehobeth’s first win came last year 6-0.

Stephens’ heroics edged a workhorse effort by Athens running back Jaylen Gilbert.  The running back had a season high 52 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-7 win over Hartselle in Class 6A, Region 8. His 52 rushing attempts rank tied for fourth all-time in AHSAA history with Lee-Huntsville’s Dwone Hicks, who had 52 carries in a game versus J.O. Johnson in 1998.

The AHSAA and NFHS National Record was set by Straughn’s Russell Gunter in 1986 when he had 72 carries for 321 yards and three touchdowns in a 22-21 loss to Coffee Springs.  Lance Rolax of Donoho had 54 carries in a 20-19 loss to Winterboro in 2002, and Gunter also had 53 carries in a 3-0 loss to Jay (FL) in 1986.

Gilbert has totaled 96 carries for 720 yards and nine touchdowns over the last three Athens games.

MILESTONES

HALEYVILLE RECORDS 500TH WIN: Quarterback Eli Musso was 5-for-12 passing for 104 yards and one touchdown to lead Coach Chris Musso’s Lions to a 27-18 victory over arch-rival Hamilton. The triumph was the 500th in Haleyville’s storied 104-year history. Austin Barry added 103 yards on eight carries and Kristian Gravitt-Tucker grabbed a 57-yard pass for a touchdown. The Lions, now 500-406-23 since 1916, will host Fayette County this week as the Tigers strive to claim their school’s 700th win. Fayette County, the AHSAA’s all-time wins leader, is 699-353-35 since playing its first game in 1914 and holds a 32-24 edge in its series with Haleyville.

PARK CROSSING LIMITS LANIER TO MINUS-40 RUSHING YARDS: Park Crossing defensive lineman Khurtis Perry anchored a defense that limited Sidney Lanier to minus-40 yards rushing in the 22-6 Thunderbirds win at Cramton Bowl. He had four tackles, two for losses, as Park Crossing defenders tackled the Poets 11 times in 24 running plays behind the line of scrimmage for lost yardage. The Thunderbirds’ defensive effort ranks fourth in the AHSAA Record Book behind Greensboro, which limited Uniontown to minus-67 rushing yards in 1977; Cedar Bluff, which held  Donoho to minus-48 yards in a 2012 contest; and Corner, which limited Vincent to minus-47 rushing yards in 2015.  Lanier finished with 72 yards passing and 32 total yards for the game. Perry also got into the offensive action scoring on a 10-yard run and followed with a 2-point conversion run.

GENEVA BROTHERS SPARK LATE RALLY: Quarterback Damion Kemmerlin, facing a fourth-and-15 with 35 seconds remaining, connected on a 29-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Tre’von Kemmerlin to give the Panthers a 26-21 comeback win over Straughn. Geneva rallied from a 21-6 halftime deficit with a 39-yard TD pass between the brothers earlier in the second half.

In other performances reported this week:

PASSING

HAL SMITHART, OPP: Was 27-of-41 passing for 367 yards and two touchdowns (23 and 25 yards) and added two touchdowns rushing (1 and 6 yards) in the Bobcats’ 34-12 Class 3A, Region 2 win over Providence Christian. He had 26 yards rushing to finish with 393 total yards.

CASON EUBANKS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Completed 14-of-17 passes for 330 yards and six touchdowns in the Knights’ 49-42 win over Cottondale (FL). He tossed the go-ahead 30-yard touchdown pass midway in the fourth quarter.

MICHAEL RICH, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Completed 16-of-25 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 54-41 win over Springville. He also rushed for four TDs accounting for six of the Panthers’ nine scores.

COLE McCARTY, GUNTERSVILLE: Was almost perfect completing 12-of-13 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 52 yards and a score in a 64-0 win over Sardis in Class 5A, Region 7.

HESS HORNE, EUFAULA: Accounted for five touchdowns and 276 yards in the Tigers’ Class 6A, Region 2 win over Valley 44-13. He was 13-of-19 passing for 263 yards and four scores and added 13 yards on just three carries with a 1-yard TD sneak.

E.J. OUSLEY, PRATTVILLE: Guided the Lions to a 35-28 come-from-behind win over Enterprise with a 12-of-23 passing performance for 276 yards and three touchdowns.

CAM SHEPHERD, McADORY: Completed 8-of-10 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 25 yards, all in the first half, in the Yellow Jackets’ 35-13 Class 6A, Region 4 victory over Brookwood.

ELI CLARK, PIKE ROAD: Was 10-of-16 passing for 264 yards and three touchdowns in the unbeaten Class 5A Patriots’ 50-0 win over Charles Henderson.

BRANDON MUSCH, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Passed for 257 yards and two touchdowns (69 and 26 yards), and ran for 59 yards and two TDs (14 and 7 yards) in a 25-21 Class 4A, Region 7 win over New Hope.

RILEY LEONARD, FAIRHOPE: Was 10-of-11 passing for 234 yards and four touchdowns in the Pirates’ 7A, Region 1 45-6 win over Mary Montgomery.

QUINCY CRITTENDON, AUSTIN: Completed 12-of-24 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns (15 and 30 yards) in a 25-23 win over Grissom in Class 7A, Region 4.

TUCKER KILCREASE, BRANTLEY: Completed 17-of-22 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing TD in the Bulldogs’ 50-0 Class 1A, Region 1 win over Samson.

HAYES HUNT, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: Was 13-of-14 passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 49-14 win over Ashford.

CALEB McCREARY, MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC: Passed for 175 yards and two TDs on 9-of-15 effort to lead the Knights to a 13-12 come-from-behind win over Pike County.

CADE HOPPER, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Completed 5-of-13 pass attempts for 162 yards, including a completion to Whit Johnson for an 87-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game and the Warriors downed Munford 28-26. He also threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Conner Elrod on the second play of the second quarter.

NICHOLAS SAWYER, SPARKMAN: Was 6-of-13 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns (8 and 42 yards), and ran for 83 yards on 14 carries in a 31-0 win over Bob Jones in Class 7A, Region 4.

JOHNNY SCHMITZ, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Was 11-of-16 passing for 168 yards and four touchdowns as undefeated Mobile Christian beat Lighthouse Christian (MS) 44-7. He also rushed for a TD.

JALEN VINSON, RED BAY: Passed for four touchdowns in a 40-20 win over Sheffield to keep Red Bay (5-0) undefeated in Class 2A, Region 8.

BRENDON BYRD, SPANISH FORT: The sophomore quarterback ran 13 times for 90 yards and was 7-of-10 passing for 80 yards to pace the Toros to a 24-21 key Class 6A, Region 1 win over Saraland.

BESTER McFADDEN, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Completed 10-of-15 passes for 110 yards and a TD and also ran for a score as the Saints beat Satsuma 42-15.

LEVI BARNES, EAST LAWRENCE: Accounted for six touchdowns, four passing and two rushing, in a 72-13 victory over Elkmont. He finished with 255 yards total offense for the Eagles.

RUSHING

CARNEL DAVIS, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Rushed for 300 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries in the Panthers’ 54-41 win over Springville. He also caught two passes for 45 yards.

JAYLYN DANIELS, TALLASSEE: Ran for 274 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries to lead the Tigers past Beauregard 57-20.

JOSEPH ANDERSON, MONTEVALLO: Had 24 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion in a 29-28 win over West Blocton.

COSNER HARRISON, SAINT JAMES: Had 20 carries for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 42-14 win over B.T. Washington. He now has 1,022 rushing yards in six games, giving St. James a 1,000-yard rusher for the ninth consecutive season.

TRAVON BROWN, FLOMATON: Gained 203 yards rushing on 25 carries and scored a pair of second-half touchdowns as Hurricanes beat Bayside Academy 35-17 in Class 3A, Region 1.

DAMIEN TAYLOR, TUSCALOOSA COUNTY: Ran for 202 yards and three TDs on 23 carries as the Wildcats downed Gadsden City 23-20.

CHRISTIAN ROBERTS, ADDISON: The junior quarterback rushed 16 times for 201 yards and five touchdowns and also was 4-for-6 passing for 114 yards and one touchdown in Addison’s 50-14 homecoming victory over Cold Springs. 

LUKE REEBALS, BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN: Rushed 16 times for 199 yards and a touchdown and added two catches for 23 yards in the Lions’ 42-19 Class 6A, Region 5 win over Shades Valley.

ANTONIO TRONE, STANHOPE ELMORE: Had 39 carries for 188 yards and four touchdowns (11, 11, 3 and 7 yards) as the Mustangs rebounded from a 27-13 halftime deficit to score 22 unanswered points to beat Calera 35-27.

REGGIE DAVIS, LEE-MONTGOMERY: Gained 188 yards rushing on 29 carries and scored both touchdowns in the Generals’ 20-15 loss to Carver-Montgomery in Class 6A, Region 2.

CHRISTIAN ANGULO, FALKVILLE: Picked up 175 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 53-0 Class 2A, Region 7 win over Section.

IKE ROWELL, FYFFE: Had 19 carries for 174 yards and four touchdowns as the Red Devils (6-0) beat Plainview 42-12 in Class 3A, Region 7 to remain unbeaten.

NICK CLIFTON, CEDAR BLUFF: Ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries in the Tigers’ 56-28 win at Woodville.

ARMONI GOODWIN, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Ran 20 times for 163 yards and a touchdown in the Huskies’ 29-28 loss to Hoover.

C.J. MILLER, GADSDEN CITY: Rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in the Titans’ 26-23 loss to Tuscaloosa County. 

RYAN SCOTT, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Gained 155 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns on five carries in the Warriors’ 44-13 victory over West End-Walnut Grove.

JACQUEZ PRINCE, ELBA: Rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another to help Elba to a 50-22 over previously unbeaten Geneva County. Prince finished with 152 yards rushing and scored on runs of 25, 18 and 21 yards. His touchdown pass was for 19 yards.

TROY GIBSON, SATSUMA: Ran for 153 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns, including a 76-yard jaunt, in a 42-15 loss to St. Paul’s Episcopal.

CHRISTIAN NELSON, DADEVILLE: Scored four touchdowns, including an 84-yard TD run, as Dadeville beat Goshen 53-0 in Class 3A, Region 4. He also scored on runs of 5, 57 and 20 yards.

KYLER MURKS, BROOKS: Rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 123 yards and one score in the Lions’ 29-27 loss to West Limestone.

LUKE BARNWELL, PHIL CAMPBELL: Rushed for 147 yards and four touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:16 left, in a 34-30 win over Colbert Heights.

JACOB BURLESON, CEDAR BLUFF: Rushed for 113 yards and a score on seven carries, and also completed 4-of-5 pass attempts for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ 56-28 win at Woodville.

CHRISTIAN BURNETTE, FAITH ACADEMY: The sophomore rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and caught two passes for 48 yards as the Rams beat UMS-Wright 28-21 in overtime in Class 5A, Region 1. It was Faith’s first win over the Bulldogs in five tries.

RECEIVING

LANE BALLARD, OPP: Caught 10 passes for 189 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass, in the Bobcats’ 34-12 win over Providence Christian.

AUDLEN BATTLES, SOUTHSIDE-GADSDEN: Nabbed seven catches for 184 yards and a TD in Southside’s 54-41 win over Springville.

COLBY FULLER, GENEVA COUNTY: Hauled in four pass receptions for 172 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown, in a 50-22 loss to Elba.

RYAN PEPPINS, THOMPSON: Caught nine passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, and returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a score in a38-9 Class 7A, Region 3 victory over Vestavia Hills.

ETHAN BLACK, EUFAULA: Snagged five receptions for 155 yards with a touchdown of 59 yards in the Tigers’ 44-13 win over Valley.

DERRYL HOLMES, PRATTVILLE: Collected six receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-28 win over Enterprise. 
KENNARD MILLER, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Had six catches for 137 yards and two scores, and teammate Tyler Smalls had 112 receiving yards with three touchdowns in the Knights’ 49-42 win over Cottondale (FL).

BLAKE DURHAM, PIKE ROAD: Had six catches for 122 yards and a TD in the 50-0 Class 5A, Region 2 win over Charles Henderson.

JOJO HAMAKER, FULTONDALE: Caught five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown while contributing seven tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups in the Wildcats’ 39-26 Class 4A, Region 6 loss to Dora.

WINSTON LYLE, AUSTIN: Caught three passes for 81 yards as Austin picked up a 25-23 comeback win over Grissom on Friday. He made 53-yard pass reception that set up his game-winning 15-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter.

DEFENSE

DAMIEN RAMSEY, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Batted down a fourth-down pass from inside the 10 with 41.3 seconds left to preserve the Warriors’ 28-26 win at Munford. He also rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

JOSHUA GIFFORD, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Recorded 19 total tackles and blocked a punt in Cottage Hill’s 28-0 win over Chickasaw.

RICO DOZIER, ABBEVILLE: Totaled 18 tackles while teammate Jayven Anderson had 14 in Abbeville’s 32-22 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Ariton. Dozier also scored on a 25-yard run and three 2-point conversions.

ROBERT WOODYARD, WILLIAMSON: The junior standout caught four passes for 85 yards and a pair of touchdown passes covering 45 and 30 yards and also had 15 tackles with three stops for losses as the Lions downed Jackson 34-28.

GARRETT McKINNEY, OAK GROVE: Led the Tigers’ defense with 15 tackles, including two sacks and two tackles for loss, as Oak Grove downed Curry 49-36.

LEE HUNTER, BLOUNT: The Leopards’ defensive tackle totaled 15 tackles with four stops for a loss in Blount’s 38-20 Class 6A, Region 1 a win over Robertsdale. He also had a rushing TD and a receiving TD.

JOSEPH KING, PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN: Totaled 14 tackles in the Panthers’ 46-14 loss to Southside-Selma. 

KY WILLIAMSON, TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN: Had 13 tackles in the Wildcats’ 42-14 win over Dadeville.

PAT RYAN, MONTGOMERY-CATHOLIC: Totaled 13 tackles in the Knights’ 13-12 win over Pike County.

TY BELL, FYFFE: Had 11 tackles and 11 assists in the Red Devils’ 42-12 win over Plainview.

DUSTIN ROBERTS, REHOBETH: Keyed a 19-16 upset win over Greenville in Class 5A, Region 2 with 12 tackles. Teammate Trychon McHellon also had 11 tackles and a sack.

CARTER STEPHENS, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Managed 11 tackles to lead Northside Methodist on defense in a 49-42 win over Cottondale (FL).

MILLER McCARTHY, ALABAMA CHRISTIAN: had 10 tackles in the Eagles’ 49-14 win over Ashford.

MIDNIGHT STEWARD, DAPHNE: Returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown in a 42-22 Class 7A, Region 1 win at Alma Bryant.

TYREE PHARR, THEODORE: Had nine tackles and also had a caused fumble in the Bobcats’ 34-0 victory over Davidson in Class 7A, Region 1.

D.J. LEE, GAYLESVILLE: Made an interception and fumble recovery on defense in the Trojans’ 12-6 loss to Sumiton Christian. He added 106 yards rushing on 20 carries on offense.

SPECIAL TEAMS

RANDY GLANTON, ABBEVILLE: Returned a kickoff 75 for touchdown to break open a close game and help the Yellow Jackets to a 32-22 win over Ariton. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter as Abbeville took the lead after being tied 16-16 at the half.

ART THOMAS, CALERA: Returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown to help the Eagles jump out to a 21-0 lead, but Stanhope Elmore clawed back to win the 6A, Region 3 contest 35-27.

COOPER AUSTIN, SPRING GARDEN: Scored on a 60-yard punt return in the Panthers’ 59-0 victory at Gaston.

KOBIE STRINGER, G.W. LONG: Returned a punt 48 yards for a touchdown and tossed three TD passes to G.W. Long past Zion Chapel 56-0 in Class 2A, Region 2 play. He played only one quarter in the game and completed 3-of-4 passes for 52 yards with all three passes going for touchdowns. He rushed one time for 20 yards.

PHIL DOWDELL, DADEVILLE: Returned a punt 52 yards in the Tigers’ 53-0 win over Goshen. He had another punt return for a TD nullified on a penalty.

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