Elba and McKenzie Set AHSAA Scoring Record in 80-78 Four Overtime Battle to Earn AHSAA Spotlight
MONTGOMERY – Just when you think you seen it all, when it comes to high school football, think again.
Elba High School senior Alvin Henderson rushed for 389 yards, nine touchdowns and three 2-pooint conversion on 41 rush attempts to tie the AHSAA state single-game record for touchdowns scored (9) and set the state single-game record for most points scored (60) last week and, his team lost the game 80-78 in four overtimes to Class 1A, Region 2 rival McKenzie.
McKenzie High School senior quarterback Zayquavion “Quay” Jackson was 18-of-34 passing for 345 yards and six touchdowns, rushed 12 times for 113 yards and one TD, passed for six 2-point conversions and ran for another amassing 458 total yards for Coach Brian Bradford’sTigers. And get this. McKenzie (3-0) didn’t score a point in the first quarter.
For good reason, the record-setting 80-78 battle in Class 1A grabbed this week’s AHSAA Football Spotlight – edging out another state record performance by McGill-Toolen Catholic senior place-kicker Jack O’Neil, who kicked a state single-game record six field goals, three in the first quarter and three in the fourth quarter, to lift the Class 6A Yellow Jackets to an 18-16 Region 1 victory over Theodore.
After Ayden Wiley scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth overtime, Quay Jackson passed to his brother Jahmarren “Jay” Jackson for the two-point conversion to put the visitor ahead 80-72. Elba then got its chance from the 10-yard line with Henderson getting two runs to move the ball inside the 5. He was injured on the second attempt, however, and came out of the game. Senior quarterback Cayden Adkins bulled his way into the end zone for the touchdown, and on the 2-point try, he was stopped just short of the goal line by McKenzie defenders Jay Jackson and Brody Odom to seal the win.
Henderson, who led the nation in touchdowns scored (68) last season as a junior, totaled 60 points in the game – a new state record. The previous record was 58 points by Hubbertville’s Tommy Haley-Ricks during a 76-52 win in 2008. Haley-Ricks also set the TD record (9) in that game, which Henderson also tied. Henderson also completed a 26-yard pass to finish with 417 total yards for the Tigers of Coach Marc Seiving.
McKenzie’s Quay Jackson completed five passes to Jay Jackson for 78 yards and one TD, Skylar Sanders had seven catches for 180 yards and four touchdowns and also had two 2-point conversions, and Levi Lee had three catches for 61 yards and one TD. Wilsey totaled 153 rushing yards with two TDs.Quay had a hand in nine TDs 68 of his team’s 82 points to set an AHSAA single-game records for points accounted for.
The Elba-McKenzie game produced 158 points, eight more than the previous state record of 150 by Central Hayneville (78) and Billingsley (72) during a three-overtime game in 2023. Elba (12) and McKenzie (11) also accounted for 22 touchdowns and 13 two-point conversions – seven by McKenzie and six by Elba. The two teams combined for 1,163 total yards – 620 for McKenzie and 543 for Elba with 506 rushing which ranks eighth all time in the AHSAA Record Book online. Adkins also rushed for 100 yards and two TDs on 23 carries for Elba (1-2), which lost its second game in a row for the first time since the 2020 season. Defensively, Lajayvious Crittenden had 24 tackles and recovered a fumble for McKenzie. Lee had 12 tackles and also recovered a fumble, and Grayson Blackburn had 16 stops. Adkins had 14 tackles and Jerod Anderson nine for Elba.
McGill-Toolen’s O’Neil had field goals were 38, 40, 31, 32, 32, and 34 yards – all kicked in the rain, said athletic director Bill Griffin. His final kick came with 1:27 remaining and erased Theodore’s 16-15 lead. The six field goals surpassed the previous record (5) accomplished by four kickers with the most recent being Crosby Gray of Spain Park in a 15-14 win over Thompson in 2015. Auburn’s Sage Ledbetter had five in a 45-18 victory over Jeff Davis in 2013; Josh Woodard of Decatur in a 15-0 win over Grissom in 2001; Tim Rodgers of Mountain Brook in a 21-7 triumph over Huffman in 1990; and Ricky Beck of Geneva in a 15-0 win over Pike County in 1970.
The 18 kicking points scored by O’Neil was one point shy of the AHSAA state record (19) set by Ledbetter, who had five field goals and four extra points in Auburn’s 2013 win over Jeff Davis. O’Neil joins Glencoe’s Ronnie Harris, who had 18 points in a 67-6 win over Glenn in 1965 with four field goals and six extra points. O’Neil accounted for all 18 points in the win – another AHSAA record – for the Jackets of Coach David Faulkner.
O’Neill kicked three field goals in the first quarter at 9:58, 6:19 and at on the last play of the period. He also added his final three in the fourth quarter at 10:29, 5:46 with his final game-winning kick at 1:27.
The Elba-McKenzie game and McGill-Toolen-Theodore contest are both archived on the NFHS Network and are available for viewing by those with NFHS Network subscriptions.
MILESTONES
RASHAD WALKER, CARVER-MONTGOMERY: Sparked the Wolverine defense of Coach Bobby Carr with five tackles, including three for 12 yards in losses as Carver (3-0) beat JAG 46-0 to remain unbeaten at 3-0. The defense limited JAG to minus-25 yards total offense in the win. The performance was the seventh best defensive effort in the AHSAA, according to the AHSAA Record Book online, Elmore County set the record in 2023 holding Central-Hayneville to minus-119 yards in a 47-0 win. The Carver appears to be the 7A record based on statistics reported.
OMAR MABSON, AUBURN: Rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns (1 and 58 yards) on 22 carries as the Tigers beat Opelika in the 99th meeting between the two schools 28-21. Josh Askew also caught a 29-yard TD in the final quarter to seal the win. Calvin Hughley led Opelika with 159 yards on 23 carries. He scored one TD. Auburn, coached by Keith Etheredge, holds a narrow 49-47-3 in the series. Etheredge improved to 34-8 at Auburn and is now his 19th season as a head coach and owns a 184-60 career record.
ANTHONY GIDEON, JAMES CLEMENS: Scored the game-winning touchdown in the Jets’ 34-31 win over city rival Bob Jones in the Class 7A, Region 4 opener. He finished with 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Patriots quarterback Johnny Jackson fired three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth TD for Bob Jones.
GAVIN FUQUA, AUSTIN: The Austin running back totaled three touchdowns in the Black Bears’ 31-30 win in overtime win over Sparkman. The victory was the 101st head-coaching win for Austin head coach Jeremy Perkins, who is now 101-60 in his 15th season – all at Austin.
BRENDAN HALL, GENEVA COUNTY: Gained over 300 yards rushing for the third game in a row with 319 yards on 26 carries in 38-22 victory over Abbeville in Class 2A, Region 2. He now has 927 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns for the Bulldogs (3-0) of Coach Al Gilmore.
RUSHING
ANTONIO BROWN, MOBILE CHRISTIAN: Ran 24 times for 331 yards and scored on TD runs of 1, 56 and 63 yards in a 40-6 Class 4A, Region 1 victory over Satsuma.
JAYDEN McNABB, GOSHEN: Picked up 310 rushing yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 44-21 win over Zion Chapel. He also had an interception on defense. Goshen had 459 yards total offense.
SAM GARRISON, SUSAN MOORE: Rushed 24 times for 305 yards and four TDs and was 4-of-8 passing for 24 yards and a fifth TD as the Bulldogs posted their first win of the season beating Cold Springs 34-20.
JAKE JONES, SCOTTSBORO: Totaled 361 yards and four touchdowns in Scottsboro’s 42-35 win over Boaz. He rushed for 226 yards on 25 carries with three touchdowns and completed 12-of-15 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.
CORTAVION LYNCH, WADLEY: The junior running back finished with 243 yards and five touchdowns on 13 carries in a 61-14 win by Wadley (3-0) over Fayetteville. Lynch ran for 173 yards and four touchdowns in the first half and had scoring runs of 5, 2 8,31, 60 and 35 yards in the game.
DREW PUCCIO, ARAB: Accounted for 282 yards and three touchdowns in Arab’s 42-7 win over Sardis. The quarterback completed 3-of 5-passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns (66 and 56 yards) and ran for 134 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
BRYCE WHITAKER, HOKES BLUFF: Teamed with Blaine Barton to rush for 257 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-24 win over Etowah. Whitaker had 11 carries for 135 yards and one score, and Barton totaled 122 yards and two TDs on 17 carries. Hokes Bluff led 20-18 at the half and outscored the Blue Devils 28-6 in the second half. Both teams combined for 903 total yards. Etowah Had 490 total yards with 235 rushing and 255 passing. Hokes Bluff had 402 yards rushing and 11 passing for 413 yards.
KING CAMPBELL, COTTONWOOD: Rushed for 231 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and also had two catches for 33 yards in the Bears’ 58-6 Class 2A, Region 2 win over Providence Christian.
AZARIEL TODD, HOUSTON COUNTY: Rushed for 226 yards on 20 carries with three touchdowns and one 2-point conversion in a 40-28 loss to Ariton. He also had 10 tackles on defense.
MASON HOLLOWAY, HAMILTON: The sophomore quarterback rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries and completed 9-of-13 passes for 105 yards and a fourth TD as the Aggies downed Cordova 40-13.
BRODY BLEVINS, WESTBROOK CHRISTAN: Rolled up 252 total yards in a 27-7 win over Saks. He rushed for 162 yards and three scores and was 9-of-15 passing for 90 yards.
RYDER GIPSON, FYFFE: Led Fyffe to a 42-10 win over Collinsville rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 15 rushing attempts.
MICHAEL DUJON, THOMPSON: Had 11 rush attempts for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85-yard scoring run, in the Warriors’ 48-7 win over Tuscaloosa County.
COLBY TEW, KINSTON: Had 19 carries for 209 yards and three touchdowns covering 20, 3 and 73 yards as the Bulldogs beat Red Level 38-0 in Class 1A, Region 2.
BLAISE VICKERY, HACKLEBURG: Accounted for all five touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 34-8 in win over Meek. He ran for four scores and passed for another will amassing 287 total yards.
BRYSON TEAGUE, CEDAR BLUFF: Piled up 176 total yards with 75 yards rushing and 101 yards passing. However, his biggest run came on a fourth-and-4 play late in the game for a first down allowing the Tigers to run out the clock in a 28-22 win over Gaston. He finished with two rushing scores.
WILLIS MADDOX, WILLIAMSON: Gained 172 yards and three touchdowns rushing on 14 carries as the Lions (3-0) shut out Elberta.
NOAH MOSS, ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC: Rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and caught four passes for 91 yards and a TD for 208 total yards as the Cardinals (3-0) beat W.S. Neal for their third straight win.
PASSING
JAMESON SCISSUM, ETOWAH: Totaled 440 yards in the Blue Devils’ 49-24 loss to Hokes Bluff. He was 18-of-26 passing for 255 yards and two TDs and rushed for 185 yards and score on 18 carries.
JACUB JONES, BEAUREGARD: Was 10-of-12 passing for 331 yards and four touchdowns in a 57-7 win over Marbury.
TYLER PIERCE, BOAZ: Passed for a school single-game record 315 yards with four touchdowns in the team’s 42-35 loss to Scottsboro.
SAMMY DUNN, VIGOR: Accounted for five touchdowns, three passing and two rushing, as the Wolves blanked LeFlore 60-0 in Class 5A, Region 1. He was 11-of-14 passing for 286 yards.
JAKE ROBERSON, OHATCHEE: Completed 16-of-28 passes for 256 yards and two TDs in the Indians’ 46-20 Class 3A, Region 6 loss to Piedmont.
MASON BURKHARDT, ENTERPRISE: Had 227 total yards as the Wildcats downed Dothan 28-21 in Class 7A, Region 2. He was 5-of-10 passing for 124 yards and three TDs and rushed for 103 yards on 16 carries. Teammate Dyan Smith added 155 yards rushing with a 55-yard TD run and a big 45-yard run late to help Enterprise (3-0) run out the clock.
TRENT MORRIS, TALLASSEE: Was 13-of-21 passing for 195 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers (2-0) beat Munford 35-14 in Class 4A, Region 3.
LANDON KELLEY, WINSTON COUNTY: Passed for 172 yards and two TDs on as 9-of-11 performance in the Jackets’ 50-0 win over Tanner.
JAYDEN PARKS, BRANTLEY: Was 9-of-11 passing for 155 yards and three TDs as the Bulldogs (2-0) downed Class 1A, Region 2 foe Pleasant Home 39-0.
WILL CARTER, HUNTSVILLE: Finished 11-of-16 passing for 147 yards and three touchdowns in Huntsville’s 30-27 win over Grissom He also had seven rush attempts for 44 yards one touchdown in the 7A, Region 4 contest.
CARSON TITTLE, CHEROKEE COUNTY: : Was 6-of-8 passing for 144 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes in the Warriors’ 47-6 victory over Class 4A, Region 6 rival Oneonta.
A’ZORHEE EUTSEY, PIKE COUNTY: Completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Braylin Jackson with 15 seconds remaining to lift the visiting Bulldogs (1-1) to a Class 4A, Region 2 20-1 win over Geneva. He finished 5-of-13 passing for 119 yards, and Jackson finished with two rushing TDs and the scoring reception.
COLE WILSON, PIEDMONT: Completed 9-of-10 passes for 129 yards and one TD in a 46-20 win over Ohatchee. He fired a touchdown strike to Ishmael Bethel near the end of the first half in the win.
RECEIVING
TOMON FELTON, HOMEWOOD: Caught 4 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the Patriots win over Mortimer Jordan.
BEN FRAMPTON, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Grabbed five passes for 128 yards and two TDs covering 9 and 39 yards as the Warriors (2-1) beat Oneonta 47-6.
CHRIS CLEMONS, WINSTON COUNTY: Had six catches for 125 yards, rushed eight times for 49 yards and a TD and returned an interception 96 yards for a TD on defense in the Yellow Jackets’ 50-0 win over Tanner.
JOHN WELSH, SPRING GARDEN: Caught five passes for 117 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown for Spring Garden’s first score, and later added a 15-yard score in a 47-21 victory at Ragland.
T.J. WORTHY, GADSDEN CITY: Caught a 73-yard TD pass and had a 70-yard scoring run as the Titans downed Buckhorn 40-7.
DYLAN DAVIS, BRANTLEY: Had three catches for 60 yards – all for touchdowns – as Brantley beat Pleasant Home 39-0.
DEFENSE
TIMMY DAWSON, GAYLESVILLE: Accounted for 19 tackles in a 28-14 setback to Valley Head.
ARKER FLOYD, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Led the Huskies’ defense with 18 tackles in an 18-14 come-from-behind victory over Vestavia Hills in Class 7A, Region 3.
CLETE O’B RYANT, COOSA CHRISTIAN: Led his team to a 42-7 win over Southeastern with 14 tackles on defense.
JY’ZERIC WYNN, ETOWAH: Had 13 tackles and teammate Taylor Barber recorded four sacks in the Titans’ 40-7 victory over Buckhorn.
BRAXTON THOMPSON, BLOUNT: Had 12 tackles, a pair of sacks and an interception in the Leopards’ double-overtime win over Murphy. He also forced a fumble.
GABRIEL HATTAWAY, KINSTON: Posted nine tackles, including four for losses and two quarterback sacks in a 38-0 win over Red Level in 1A, Region 2.
J.T. YARBROUGH, SAMSON: Recorded 13 tackles in Samson’s 40-0 loss to Pike Liberal Arts.
HUGHES WILLIAMS, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Had 12 tackles in the Raiders’ 12-10 loss to Montgomery Academy.
A.J. LEWIS, ASHFORD: Had 10 tackles and recovered a fumble on defense and fired a game-winning 25 touchdown pass to Zay Johnson with 32 seconds left to break a tie and help give Ashford a 14-6 win over Dale County in a Class 4A, Region 2 contest. Offensively, he completed 5-of-7 passes for 90 yards, including the game-winning score.
CONNOR PIKE, ELMORE COUNTY: Led a defensive effort by Elmore County (2-0) that registered two safeties in a 31-7 win over Carroll of Ozark in Class 5A, Region 4. He and Jackson Mann each finished with four tackles.
JORDAN MILES, GRISSOM: Had 12 tackles, including six for losses, and had two quarterback pressures in Grissom’s 30-27 loss to Huntsville.
ALEX BATY, GAYLESVILLE: Recorded 12 tackles on defense and rushed for 134 yards and one score on 19 carries in a 28-14 loss to Valley Head.
STACY ATKINS, DALE COUNTY: Notched 11 tackles in the Warriors’ 14-6 loss to Ashford.
TY BOOKER, COTTONWOOD: Led the unbeaten Bears (3-0) with 11 in a 58-6 win over Providence Christian.
EASTON SKAGGS, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN: Recorded 11 tackles with five for losses in a 27-7 win over Saks.
BEN PATTERSON, PIKE COUNTY; Totaled 10 tackles with three tackles-for-loss and a sack, and teammate Khalil Foster earned five tackles and two interceptions in the Bulldogs’ 20-15 win over Geneva.
JEREMIAH CONNOLLY, CITRONELLE: Accounted for nine tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in the Wildcats’ 40-8 win over Faith Academy.
JON HARPER, BRANTLEY: Had eight tackles and returned an interception 35 yards for a TD in a 39-0 win over Pleasant Home.
ETHAN JONES, OAK GROVE: Recorded eight tackles, including two for losses, and recovered a blocked punt for a TD in the Tigers’ 37-12 win over Holt.
KAYLIN BASKINS, COLBERT HEIGHTS: Had two interceptions to help Wildcats (3-0) improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2017 with a 14-8 win over Clements.
KADIEN TRACY, CEDAR BLUFF: Had six tackles on defense with a quarterback sack, three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles in a 28-22 victory over Gaston. He also rushed for 149 yards on 25 carries with TD covering 1 and 55 yards.
XZAVIER MASON, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Scored on a 61-yard run also had a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown in 49-8 win over Elkmont.
CONNOR BATES, SPRING GARDEN: Raced 20 yards with an interception for a touchdown on defense and rushed for two TDs on offense with 100 yards on 15 carries in the Panthers’ 47-21 win over Ragland.
SPECIAL TEAMS
ISAIAH SHINGLETON, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and a kickoff return for a score in the first half which was called back due to a blocking penalty to lead the Lions to a 40-10 win over St. John Paul II Catholic. He also allowed no completed passes from his safety position.
JORDAN HOLMES, PIKE ROAD: Sealed a 40-19 Class 6A, Region win over Rehobeth with a 75-yard kickoff return in the second half following a Rebels’ TD that had cut the Patriots’ led to 26-13.
JuQUARIUS BROOKS, HUEYTOWN: Returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD finishing with 150 kick return yards in three returns in a 23-21 loss to Mountain Brook.
ROLLIE PINTO, PIEDMONT: Raced 69 yards on the first play of the second half for a touchdown and then caught the 2-point conversion pass in a 46-20 win over Ohatchee. He added a 73-yard punt return for a TD just three minutes later to seal the win.
TYLER McLENDON, GOSHEN: Returned four kickoffs for 128 yards with one 60-yarder for a touchdown and caught a 24-yard TD pass as Goshen beat Zion Chapel 44-21.
JAN SEQURA, COLLINSVILLE: Kicked a 44-yard field goal in a 42-10 loss to Fyffe.
