Sylvania Downs Geraldine in Top 10 Sand Mountain Matchup
Sylvania, AL – In a highly anticipated clash between unbeaten Class 3A powers, the 8th ranked Sylvania Rams showcased their offensive prowess, defeating the No. 7 Geraldine Bulldogs 37-16 Friday night at Ram Stadium.
Aiden Parham was the driving force for Sylvania, rushing an impressive 33 times for 210 yards and contributing three touchdowns in the Dekalb County showdown. Quarterback Griffin Turner also played a crucial role, completing 10-of-13 passes for 187 yards, including a score.
Noah McKeehan lead the talented Rams receiving corps with four grabs for 100 yards. Zack Anderson added four catches of his own for 64 yards.
Sylvania’s defense, led by Ashdon Cooley and Aspen Cooley, were relentless throughout the game, recording multiple sacks and keeping constant pressure on Geraldine quarterback, Jaxon Colvin.
Geraldine, entered the game with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time since 2000. The loss dropped the Dogs to 4-1 overall, 2-1 in Region 6 play.
Sylvania established an early lead, dominating the first quarter with a 17-0 advantage. Anderson set the tone by returning the game’s opening kickoff for a spectacular 99-yard touchdown. Parham’s first touchdown came on a 1-yard run, extending the lead to 14-0. Conner Andrade contributed with a 32-yard field goal, pushing Sylvania’s lead to 17-0.
Trailing by three scores, Geraldine put together a promising drive but were stalled at the Ram six yard line and were forced to settle for a Moses Garcia 36 yard field goal securing their first points in the rivalry showdown.
The Rams responded with an 80-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a Turner to Anderson 46-yard scoring strike. Parham’s punched the ball over the goal line from one yard out to put the Rams up 24-3 late in the second period.
In the waning seconds of the first half, Cooley forced a Bulldog fumble that Dixon pounced on at the Geraldine 39-yard line. Turner completed three consecutive passes, culminating in a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith, putting the Rams up 31-3 at the half.
Click here to check out the full Alabama high school football scoreboard.
Geraldine found some momentum in the third quarter when Carlos Mann broke free for a 71-yard run that he paid off later in the drive with a six yard bolt into the endzone, bringing the score to 31-10.
Sylvania’s offense returned the favor with a 69-yard drive that concluded with another Parham rushing score, this one from four yards out, extending their lead to 37-10.
In the final series of the game, the Bulldogs managed to find the end zone as Colvin called his own number and rushed across the goal line from just inside the Sylvania five yard line.
Mann contributed significantly for the Bulldogs with nine carries for 106 yards, while Colvin completed 5-of-12 passes for 90 yards. Brock Gilbert had two receptions for 39 yards.
The win puts Tyler Vann’s Rams squarely in the drivers seat in Class 3A, Region 6.
Looking ahead, Sylvania steps out of region play in week five to face the 3-0 Pisgah Eagles, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A. This will mark the third-straight undefeated team that the Rams have faced in consecutive weeks. Geraldine will take the week off before traveling to the Creekbank to take on the 4-1 Ohatchee Indians.
