Football Friday: Aug. 19. 2022
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Drew Pavan
WVUA 23 Sports kicks off the 25th season of Football Friday. High school football highlights from:All the highlights – plus scores, cheerleaders, and ‘Band of the Week’.
-Central vs Tuscaloosa County
WVUA 23 Football Friday Game of the Week
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter BriAsia Kelley
It’s known as the iron bowl of high school football. Tuscaloosa County High School Wildcats (1-0) hosted the Central High School Falcons (0-1) for the first time since 2013. Winegarden and the Wildcats started this season with a blowout win against the Falcons winning 44-0 to open the 2022 season
The game began in favor of the Falcons, starting with a big stop on running back Kevin Riley
from defensive back Kameron Oliver, forcing the Wildcats to attempt a field goal on the opening
drive.
On the second drive, the Wildcats struck back with a dominant interception from defensive back
Sheldrick McNeal Jr, setting up a 42-yard touchdown run from running back Kevin Riley, giving the Wildcats a 13-0 lead in the second quarter.
Central High battled through in the first half, holding Tuscaloosa County to a field goal in the
final minutes of the first, making the score 16-0 by halftime.
Even though the Falcons defense was solid in the first half, the Wildcats were ultimately too
much to handle in the second.
Tuscaloosa County’s defense kept Central High off the scoreboard for the night with four red
zone stops. The Wildcats total of three interceptions which helped lead Tuscaloosa County into a shutout win Friday night.
Tuscaloosa County (1-0) will travel to the Bessemer City Yellow Jackets (0-1) Friday, hoping to
continue their winning streak for the season.
Central High hosts the Woodlawn Colonels (1-0) Friday, looking to bounce back from their
week 0 loss.
-Thompson vs Buford (GA)
Thompson loses to Buford 38-7.
Some of the most important lessons of growing up are painful to learn.
Defending Alabama Class 7A State Champion Thompson dropped it’s season opener to Buford High School (GA) 38-7.
Buford scored four touchdowns over the final 12:10 of the game, including two “Pick Six” interceptions by the Wolves defense and a 96 yard kickoff return on the heels of Thompson’s only score of the game.
“I thought out defense played absolutely tremendous,” said Thompson Head Coach Mark Freeman. “We gave up a late touchdown. Up to that point we had only given up 10 points. I think we had five turnovers, two “Pick-Six’s”, a kickoff return.
The Buford football program is one of Georgia elite high school powerhouse programs. The Wolves have won three consecutive GHSAA Class 6A State Championships.
Thompson High School is Alabama three-time defending Class 7A State Champions. But in Friday’s opener, more than half of the offense was a new starter, including every one of the Warriors skill-position players.
The Thompson ‘youth’ was unable to keep pace with Buford, which has one of the top high school running back recruits in the Southeast. The Wolves Justice Haynes was held in check for most of the first three quarters, but Haynes broke lose in the 4th quarter. The University of Alabama football commit scored two touchdowns in the final 12 minutes — one on a 96 yard kickoff return and added an impressive touchdown run late in the game.
Thompson (0-1) returns home to play Lipscomb (TN) Academy on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm at Thompson Stadium.
Sipsey Valley vs Gordo
Gordo tramples Sipsey Valley 50-7.
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Tyler White
It’s Rayshawn Williams’ World and we are all just living in it!
The senior running back led the Gordo Green Wave to a 50-7 beatdown of the Sipsey Valley Bears in their Week Zero matchup on Friday night.
Williams got the scoring started off for the team with a 74-yard run in the first quarter and would not slow down from there scoring twice more in the first half, once on the ground and one through the air, and totaling over 200 yards from scrimmage on the night.
Former Tuscaloosa County quarterback Brax Garrison got out to a bit of a slower start than Williams after transferring to Gordo before the start of the school year, but he would settle down and throw two touchdowns in the second half, each going to senior reciever Kohl Summerville.
Defensively Senior Max Stevenson shined, notching two sacks for a Green Wave defense that suffocated the Bears all night long.
Sipsey Valley’s lone score on the night could provide hope for the team, as L.J. Cormier found Wyatt Bailey for an 86-yard score in the third quarter.
Northside vs Hale County
Northside dominates Hale County 35-0.
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Kalen Brooks
The Northside Rams routed the Hale County Wildcats Friday night at Howell Field 35-0. This
marks the first victory of the season for the Rams and new head football coach Robbie Jones.
Jones was promoted to new head coach after his predecessor Chris Hilliker retired in May as the
winningest coach in school history.
The game began with both sides getting off to a slow start characterized by Hale County’s
haphazard play and Northside’s mental errors resulting in both teams having short drives.
The highlight of the first quarter was a Northside fake punt that was intercepted by Wildcats
freshmen defensive back Tyrell Smith. Smith managed to get the ball on the Rams’ 48-yard line.
In the second quarter, Northside took advantage of their field position and handed the ball to
senior running back Justin Montgomery. Montgomery scored on a 32-yard touchdown run,
putting the rams in the lead 7-0.
After another three-and-out by Hale County, The Rams didn’t miss a beat after scoring another
touchdown courtesy of senior quarterback Brandon Green’s 35-yard pass to senior wide receiver.
William Roberts. After the play, Northside proceeded to miss the extra point attempt making the
score 13-0.
Northside would get on the scoreboard again before halftime after receiving the ball on their own
48-yard line. Like their previous scoring drive, the Green to Roberts combination helped the
rams score another touchdown. Green ran in the two-point conversion to end the half and make
the score 21-0.
Northside established their run game in the second half, starting with a 32-yard touchdown run
by senior running back Luke Jones and later a 5-yard touchdown run by junior running back
Aubrey Horner in the third quarter.
The rest of the game consisted of both teams trading punts or turnovers on downs, resulting in
Northside winning the 35-0 shutout.
Northside will look to stay undefeated next week in its road game against Cleburne County.
Hale County will look to claim their first win of the season next week on the road against Greensboro
Northridge vs Oak Mountain
Oak Mountain defeats Northridge 23-14
Oak Mountain (1-0) kicked off its 2022 season on Aug. 19th with a 23-14 win over Northridge (0-1). The Eagles ran for 142 yards and were led by Trey Vassel, who finished with 117 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Oak Mountain found themselves on the attack again in the second quarter. This time, Davion Foster punched his way into the end zone from 28 yards away. That gave the Eagles an early 14-0 lead with 7:05 left in the first half.
After a mishandled punt from Northridge, The Eagles set up their offense at the Northridge 6 yard-line. That would set up another rushing touchdown from Vassell to give the Eagles a 21-0 lead in the first half.
The Jaguars responded quickly and gained momentum with a 10-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 14 before the half.
Then with just three minutes left in the third quarter, Northridge quarterback Rowdy Christensen found Tavaris Banks for a 77-yard touchdown bringing the score to 21-14.
With 4:44 left in the game, Northridge set up a punt in their own endzone, but a snap over the punter’s head resulted in a safety to make it 23-14.
Final Score: Oak Mountain 23 Northridge 14
The Eagles will be back in action at home next Friday against Pelham.
For the Jaguars, they’ll have this week off but will be back in action again against Hillcrest. That game is scheduled for Sep. 2nd, at 7 p.m.
Holt vs Brookwood
Brookwood rolls over Holt 59-2
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Kenneth Kelly
Brookwood Panthers honor former player while starting the season off in a dominating win against Holt Ironmen
This past Friday, the Brookwood Panthers started the season off strong with a dominating 59-2 victory over their rival, the Holt Ironmen.
The Panthers got off to a fast start. They started the opening drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by running back KaWann Johnson. The Panthers stretched the lead to 19-0 after capitalizing on back-to-back turnovers in the 1st Quarter and never looked back.
The day was special for Brookwood as they honored the legacy of Billy Joe Young by unretiring the #3. Young was a football player for the Panthers back in 1951 that wore #3. During a football game against Siluria, he was paralyzed and could not play the game of football again. Since his injury, the number 3 has not been worn by any Brookwood football player.
The coaching staff honored Young’s legacy by giving the number 3 to sophomore quarterback Jacob Rowell. His legacy was shown on the field against the Ironmen, as late in the first quarter, Rowell finished off a drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
The Panthers look forward to continue their momentum into next week for their game against West Blocton High, while the Ironmen look to bounce back from their loss as they will face American Christian Academy next week.
Pike Road vs Hillcrest
Hillcrest defeats Pike Road 28-21
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Jason Williams
The Hillcrest Patriots defeated the Pike Road Patriots 28 to 21 in the season opener.
This game featured two very strong programs in the state as Pike Road came in off of an undefeated season finishing as last year’s class 5A champs. Hillcrest went into the game coming off of a 12-3 season where they ended their season in the class 6A semifinals.
It was a very slow first half with great defense being played as neither offense could really get anything going in the first half. The first touchdown of the game came with under two minutes left in the first quarter. Hillcrest running back Jamarion Johnson scored on a seven-yard touchdown run.
Pike Road’s next drive ended in a loss of yardage for the Patriots. When it was time to punt the punter muffed the snap and it was recovered by Hillcrest linebacker Kendrick Davis in the end zone to make the score 14-0 and that would be the score at halftime.
Following a turnover to start the second half by Hillcrest, Pike Road drove down the field and ended up scoring on a 28-yard run by running back Marcus Hambrick. The next possession Hillcrest has to punt, but Pike Road muffed it and Hillcrest recovered the ball inside the 10 yard line. Johnson would capitalize the opportunity for the Patriots with a four-yard touchdown run to make the game 21-7.
Pike Road would have a big fourth quarter as they came back from 14 scoring with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Foster to Anthony Rodgers and also a one yard touchdown run by Foster.
There was just under two minutes left in the game and the Patriots went down the field in a minute and 38 seconds. The drive was capped off by a eight-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ethan Crawford to make the score 28-21 with just 17 seconds left.
Hillcrest starts off the season with 1-0 and will be hosting Armwood, High School out of Tampa, Florida.
Next week Pike Road will return home to host Marist High School out of Atlanta, Georgia.
-Chilton County vs Bibb County
Bibb County loses to Chilton County, 30-24
Bibb County High School honored fallen sheriffs deputy Brad Johnson during Friday nights season opening game with Chilton County.
The Choctaw football players wore a sticker with the numbers “706” on their helmets.
The number was Deputy Johnson’s badge number. The football program plans to continue the tribute all season long.
Deputy Johnson died on June 30, one day after being shot in the line of duty. He was one of two Bibb County sheriffs deputies shot during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle in the Brierfield area.
Bibb County High School also honored first responders, having those workers deliver the game ball in a pregame ceremony.
Bibb County lost the game to Chilton County, 30-24.
Hoover vs Auburn
Auburn beats Hoover 17-14
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Drew Pavan
In the winding seconds of the Kickoff Classic at the Cramton Bowl, Auburn high school’s Towns McGough drilled the game-winning field goal to beat Hoover 17-14 on Friday.
Scoreless in the second quarter, Auburn from inside their own five, as quarterback Clyde Pittman connects with Logan Blomeyer for a 76-yard pass to put them deep into Hoover’s territory. Auburn running back Da’Vaioun Williams capped the drive off with a run up the middle to give Auburn the lead.
Williams scored late in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead going into the half.
The Buccaneers would answer in the second half, getting their first touchdown off a blocked punt.
With the game tied at 14 apiece, the Tiger defense forced a late fumble to give Auburn the ball in Buccaneer territory that set up McGough’s game-winner.
Auburn High will take on Enterprise high school on August 26. Hoover will return home to face Bartlett high school on August 26.
Paul W. Bryant vs Pleasant Grove
Pleasant Grove stomps Paul W. Bryant, 51-8.
Tuscaloosa Academy vs Holy Spirit
TA defeats Holy Spirit, 45-12.
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Juliet Brown
The Holy Spirit football team traveled to Tuscaloosa Academy Friday evening. The TA Knights
overpowered the Holy Spirit Saints en-root to a 45-12 victory.
Holy Spirit’s 3-year hiatus from football showed under the lights as the team appeared to be
completely out-muscled, especially later in the first half.
The Saints offense couldn’t get anything going and only had one first down in the first half which came from a penalty.Special teams, explosive plays on offense, and a stout defensive effort helped the Knights gain a 35-0 lead at halftime.
Luke Kilgore returned a punt for a 55-yard touchdown to give the Knights a 14-point lead at the
end of the first quarter.
Junior linebacker Tristan Kegg continued the magic on special teams when he blocked a punt
deep inside Saint territory which gave the Knights excellent field position.
Kegg also had a strip sack and recovered the ball which later turned into a touchdown.
The Knights look to keep the momentum going as the team will face tougher competition in the
weeks to come.
The reigning AISA 3-A champions moved into the AHSAA division. Tuscaloosa
Academy travels to American Christian Academy on Friday.
Holy Spirit hosts South Lamar for their first home game of the season.
