Moody Blanks Leeds 42-0 to Advance to 5A Title Game

MOODY, AL – The No. 2 ranked Moody Blue Devils secured their first-ever trip to the AHSAA Super 7 football championships with a commanding 42-0 victory over crosstown rival Leeds Greenwave in the Class 5A semifinals at Bill Morris Stadium on Friday night. 

The Blue Devils set the tone early, taking a 7-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game with a 24-yard touchdown run by Bravis Cave Jr. Despite threatening to extend their lead later in the first half, a botched snap on a Cal Overton field goal attempt kept Moody’s advantage to a narrow 7-0 at halftime. 

The second half was a much different story as Moody’s defense and offense came alive. After forcing a Leeds punt to open the third quarter, quarterback Charlie Johnston connected with Josiah Dozier for a 70-yard touchdown, doubling the lead to 14-0. 

Moody’s defense continued to stifle Leeds, forcing another three-and-out. The Blue Devils capitalized with Cave punching it in from four yards out, putting Moody ahead 21-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. 

Moments later, Johnston found Le’Kamren Meadows for a 21-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 28-0. The offensive onslaught continued into the fourth quarter when Johnston connected with Jalijah Rutledge for a 12-yard touchdown less than a minute into the final period. Kevin James closed out the scoring on a 21-yard touchdown run with just over four minutes left on the clock. 

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Johnston led the charge with 260 passing yards and three touchdowns. Rutledge was his top target, hauling in six passes for 125 yards and one score. On the ground, the duo of Bravis Cave Jr. and Le’Kamren Meadows combined for 164 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

Overall, Moody racked up 441 total yards, with the majority coming in a dominant second-half performance. Meanwhile, their defense was impenetrable, limiting Leeds quarterback Conner Nelson to just 38 rushing yards on 14 carries—his lowest total of the season.

This victory marked Moody’s second win over archrival Leeds this season and secured a date with No. 1-ranked Montgomery Catholic in the 5A state championship game. The matchup is set for Thursday at Birmingham’s Protective Life Stadium, where the Blue Devils will battle for their first-ever state title.