UMS-Wright Edges St. Michael Catholic 17-13 

FAIRHOPE, AL – UMS-Wright leaned on a big-play offense and a defensive touchdown to hold off host St. Michael Catholic 17-13 on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in the region opener for both programs. The Bulldogs improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in region play, while the Cardinals dropped to 0-2 and 0-1, extending their skid to three straight losses dating to last season.

Fowler Sets the Tone Early

Max Fowler opened the game red-hot, connecting on his first 13 pass attempts and giving the Bulldogs’ offense an early rhythm. He finished 18-of-24 for 179 yards, spreading the ball around and keeping the chains moving through the opening half.

The senior quarterback delivered the game’s signature moment with a 70-yard touchdown strike to Manning Amorde. The senior-to-senior connection saw Amorde slip behind the secondary and haul in the pass in stride, with no defender close enough to contest the play. It was the longest scoring play of the night for UMS-Wright.

Weaver’s Pick-Six Swings Momentum

The Bulldogs’ defense supplied points of its own when Colby Weaver jumped a route and returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown. The score helped stake UMS-Wright to a 17-7 halftime lead and gave the visitors a cushion they would need late.

Ball security proved just as important as the big plays. UMS-Wright committed zero turnovers, a sharp turnaround for a team that had struggled to protect the football earlier in the season.

Mitchell Keeps St. Michael within Reach

St. Michael Catholic played without injured starting quarterback Gunner Rivers, but Nygel Mitchell nearly carried the Cardinals on his own. The bruising back rushed for 236 yards and reached the end zone on runs of 75 and 2 yards, matching UMS-Wright’s explosiveness with a long touchdown of his own.

Quarterback Marshall Pitre had a quiet night through the air, finishing 7-of-17 for 79 yards. Anthony Howard was his top target, catching three passes for 61 yards. The Cardinals kept battling in the second half and trimmed the deficit, but they could not complete the comeback.

Standout Performances

Beyond Fowler and Amorde, Richard Scott added a steady ground presence for UMS-Wright, rushing for 50 yards on 13 carries to complement the passing attack. Mitchell’s 236-yard effort stood out as the individual highlight for St. Michael, a reminder of the firepower the Cardinals can still muster despite the loss of Rivers.

The final margin reflected a game of momentum swings: two touchdowns of more than 70 yards, a defensive score and a second half in which St. Michael pushed the pace. UMS-Wright’s early efficiency and clean ball handling ultimately made the difference.

What’s Next

St. Michael Catholic (0-2, 0-1) hits the road to face McGill-Toolen Catholic as it looks to snap its three-game losing streak. UMS-Wright (2-1, 1-0) returns home to host Faith Academy, aiming to build on its region-opening win and carry its momentum into the heart of the schedule.