Ramsay Advances to 5A Semifinals with 40-27 Win Over Moody
Moody, AL – The reigning Class 5A state champion Ramsay Rams, traveled down I-20 to face the Moody Blue Devils in a thrilling quarterfinal playoff contest. The Rams returned to the Magic City victorious with a 40-27 win.
Ramsay senior Kristian Stinson began the scoring, finishing the Rams’ first drive with a touchdown reception. However, a blocked point after left the Rams leading 6-0 with 9:28 remaining in the first quarter.
Moody countered on their first offensive possession. Quarterback Charley Johnson connected with junior Braden Wright for a significant 57-yard reception, taking the Blue Devils to the Ramsay 15-yard line. After overcoming a penalty, Johnson threw a fourth-down touchdown pass to Ka’Darius Barnes in the corner of the endzone. A successful point after put the Devils ahead 7-6 with 7:29 left in the opening quarter.
Despite forcing a Ramsay punt on their next possession, Moody saw their fortunes reverse when Flecher Taylor of Ramsay intercepted a pass from Johnson and returned it for a score. Despite a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Rams reclaimed the lead at 12-7 with 4:38 left in the first quarter.
Unfazed, Moody responded on their next possession. Johnson led a sustained drive that ended with his second touchdown pass of the night to Barnes. The score put Moody back on top, 14-12, with just 14 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Moody’s defense forced another Ramsay punt early in the second quarter. After a high snap resulted in a tipped punt, Moody gained possession at the Rams’ 44-yard line. However, a crucial penalty and a sack stalled the Moody drive at the Rams’ 32-yard line.
Capitalizing on the Moody miscue, Ramsay marched to the Blue Devil 7-yard line but were denied on fourth down with 6:67 remaining in the half. Ramsay quarterback Kameron Keenan then utilized good field position, throwing a touchdown pass to Tremell Washington. Despite another failed two-point conversion, this put the Rams back in the lead at 18-14 with just over two minutes to go before halftime. The Rams attempted one more score before the break but fell short, leaving the score at 18-14 at the break.
The second half began with Moody’s A.J. Madison returning the kickoff to the Ramsay 14-yard line. Two plays later, Jacob Hadaway charged into the endzone to regain the lead for Moody at 21-18 just a minute into the third quarter.
The Rams’ next possession heavily featured running back Ashton Ashford and ended with a one-yard plunge into the endzone by Keenan. A successful point after gave the Rams the lead 25-21 midway through the third quarter.
After the Devil offense stalled, the Rams returned the Moody punt all the way back to the Blue Devil 15-yard line. Keenan scored again, giving the Rams a 32-21 lead with just over three minutes to go in the third quarter. Moody showed some life on their next possession but ultimately turned the ball over on downs. The potent Ramsay offense then marched down the field and scored to go up 40-21 with 10:51 remaining in the game.
Auburn University commit A’mon Lane intercepted a Keenan pass midway through the fourth quarter, giving the Devils a glimmer of hope late in the matchup. The Devils took advantage as Johnson tossed a touchdown strike to Aidan Robinson to pull within two scores but it was too little, too late.
The Blue Devils’ season ended at 10-3, marking only their second time advancing to the quarterfinals in program history.
The Rams will now advance to the Class 5A semifinals to face the Guntersville Wildcats.
