EJ Crowell Powers Jackson to Record-Setting Rout, Clinches Back-to-Back 4A Championships

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Jackson High School has once again secured its place at the top of Class 4A football, earning a decisive 52-0 victory over the previously undefeated Anniston Bulldogs. The Aggies’ dominant performance at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Friday sealed their second consecutive state championship. At the heart of the shutout was senior running back and University of Alabama signee EJ Crowell, who delivered a historic performance, setting a new Class 4A Super 7 single-game rushing record.

The win marks the culmination of a special era for Jackson football, a journey that coach Cody Flournoy saw coming years ago. “When I took the job seven years ago,” Flournoy stated, “we looked at our rec league and they said, ‘Hey coach, this is the group we’re going to win a state championship with,’ and we got two.” This victory over Anniston (14-1) solidifies the legacy of a uniquely talented senior class, capping off their high school careers with an exclamation point.

Crowell Sets the Tone Early and Often

From the opening moments of the game, EJ Crowell made his intentions clear. On the Aggies’ first offensive play, he broke through the Anniston defense for a 26-yard run, setting up a touchdown on the very next play. “I wanted to make a statement,” Crowell said, responding to pre-game chatter about his size. That statement echoed throughout the contest as he systematically dismantled the Bulldogs’ defense.

Crowell finished the championship game with an incredible 304 rushing yards on 25 carries, finding the end zone five times. His touchdown runs came from 2, 1, 56, 56, and 47 yards out, showcasing a rare combination of power, vision, and breakaway speed. The performance broke the Class 4A Super 7 rushing record of 288 yards, previously held by T.R. Miller’s Rayvon Howard. Anniston coach Rico Jackson had high praise for the star running back, calling him a “generational type of guy” for his exceptional abilities on the field.

Even with a substantial lead, the Jackson coaching staff continued to utilize Crowell in the fourth quarter. The decision was a strategic one, aimed at helping him secure the title of the state’s leading rusher for the 2025 season. He concluded the year with impressive totals, amassing over 2,638 yards and 35 touchdowns on 209 carries in 14 games.

A Complete Team Effort Cements the Win

While Crowell’s performance was the headline, the Aggies’ victory was a total team effort. The “generational” talent that Coach Flournoy spoke of was on full display across the roster. South Carolina-bound quarterback Landon Duckworth was a model of efficiency, completing all six of his passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Another key contributor was wide receiver Keeyun Chapman, a North Carolina signee. Chapman made a critical play just before halftime, outleaping a defender to catch a 26-yard touchdown pass from Duckworth with only two seconds left on the clock. “It’s fun catching it over people,” Chapman commented. He also added a spectacular 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second half, further extending Jackson’s insurmountable lead.

The Jackson defense was equally formidable, completely shutting down the Anniston offense. The Bulldogs were held to just 124 total yards and were intercepted three times. Senior Laquon Whisenhunt anchored the defensive unit with 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks, putting constant pressure on the Anniston backfield and preventing them from establishing any rhythm.

Back-to-Back Champions

This championship represents Jackson’s fourth state title in school history, with previous wins in 1979, 2011, and 2024. The 52-0 final score, combined with last year’s 69-6 title game victory over Cherokee County, gives the Aggies an astounding 121-6 scoring advantage in their last two championship appearances. This dominant run highlights the program’s excellence and the exceptional talent of the senior class that led them there. As these players prepare to move on to major college football programs, they leave behind a legacy of unparalleled success at Jackson High School.