Football Friday: Sept. 1, 2023
WVUA-23 recaps Week Two of the High School football season. Enjoy highlights from:
West Blocton spoils the unveiling of Brookwood’s new stadium
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Sutton Smith
Brookwood unveiled their new stadium Friday night but couldn’t bring home the win losing to rival West Blocton 34-12.
It meant a lot to West Blocton head coach Dre’Mail King and his football team that they were the first team to win in the new stadium.
“For the rest of our kids’ lives, they can say they were the first team that won on this field,” King said. “Nobody can take that away from them.”
The rivalry between these two teams brought out fireworks early on and throughout the game as multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and personal fouls were called by the officials.
“We had horrible character with everything we did,” Brookwood head coach Mike Bramblett said. “We had no focus; we were distracted instead of playing the game. It was an overall embarrassing effort.”
West Blocton got on the board first with a 20-yard field goal from Christopher Fernandez. Kawann Johnson of the Panthers responded with a 73-yard run and then plowed his way into the endzone on the next play.
The Panthers missed the extra point but as the half expired, Johnson found the endzone again for another Panther touchdown. Going into the half, Brookwood led West Blocton 12-3.
The second half was a completely different story; one of domination by the Tigers. They scored 31 unanswered points leading to a well-deserved victory.
“We had a simple halftime plan, we told our guys to sell out for this rivalry game,” King said. “The emotions were very high; our kids stayed composed and in the second half, they did what they were supposed to do.
Tiger running back Nate Barron took over accounting for 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns as well as a receiving touchdown.
“He’s a football player; he puts on his work hat every time he steps on the field,” King said. “I’m so happy for him; everybody trusts him with the ball in his hands.”
Barron was quick to thank his offensive line rather than take all the credit.
“They’re the reason I get a lot of yards and touchdowns,” Barron said. “I love the big boys up front.”
Tiger quarterback Trey Lawley threw two touchdown passes, one to Barron and another to Hiler Spencer ending his night with a cool 126 yards passing and an interception.
The Tigers are taking this season one game at a time.
“We just want to continue to build until we get to the playoffs,” King said. “This was a big win but on Monday, we’re gonna go back to the drawing board and get ready to play another football game.”
The Tigers improved to 2-0 on the year. They’ll face Bibb County on the road next Friday.
The Panthers fall to 1-1; they hope to get back on track next Friday at home against Hueytown.
Hale County too much for Greensboro in 44-0 blowout
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Alex Chasen
A failed onside kick by Greensboro to open the game was an indication of things to come, as Hale County dominated its county rival in a 44-0 victory.
With the benefit of a short field following the onside kick, the Wildcats easily drove in for the first touchdown. Running back BJ Hill took the handoff and powered through the defense, dragging a Raider with him into the endzone.
Hale County’s defense was just as dialed-in. The Wildcats stuffed the Raiders offense and on fourth down, a wild snap when over the head of the Greensboro punter. Greensboro recovered the loose ball but the Wildcats Omad Witherspoon tackled the carrier in the endzone for a Hale County safety.
Witherspoon followed up his special teams highlight with an offensive gem. He scored the next Hale County touchdown on a four-yard run. The Wildcats were successful on their 2-point try to make the score 16-0.
Hale County was just getting started.
On offense, the Wildcats Erius Hamilton sprinted 22-yards for another touchdown, extending the lead to 32-0.
On the special teams, a blocked punt resulted in an easy scoop and score for Hale County’s Al ‘Shawn Edwards.
Later the Wildcats defense added their own scoop-and-score when Markiee Parker picked up a Greensboro fumble and returned it 16 yards for a Hale County touchdown.
Wildcats not only took home the County Trophy in superior 44-0 fashion, but they also put on a show for Hale County High School alum, Herb Jones of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The former Alabama Men’s Basketball star attended the game to root on his former school.
Next week Hale County (1-1) hosts regional rival Montevallo (1-0). Greensboro (0-2) opens region play on the road at Sumter Central (1-0).
Tuscaloosa County wins high octane shootout over Bessemer City
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Kalani Bagsby
Tuscaloosa County back-up running back C.J. Hutchins led the way to a 55-33 shootout win over Bessemer City.
The Wildcats played without starting running back, and Miami-commit Kevin Riley, but didn’t miss him. Hutchins finished with 317 total yards and three touchdowns against Bessemer City.
Hutchins scored the first two touchdowns of the game in the first quarter. The first score was set up by a Bessemer City special teams miscue when the Purple Tigers punter could not handle the snap and could not recover before getting buried underneath a pile of Tuscaloosa County defenders.
The Wildcats took at the Bessemer City 25-yard line. Six plays later, Hutchins cut up the middle for a four-yard touchdown to put Tuscaloosa County on the board.
Hutchins added an 65-yard touchdown run on the Wildcats next possession to make the score 14-0. Tuscaloosa County’s Andarius McClain added a five-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to make it 21-0.
Bessemer City’s Jalen Williams provided a spark, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter and helping cut the lead to 27-19. Tuscaloosa County added a late touchdown to regain momentum and lead 33-19 at halftime.
Williams finished the game with 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the Purple Tigers.
All told, the teams combined for 88 points and over 400 yards rushing in the game.
Next week, Tuscaloosa County (2-0) hosts Chelsea (1-1) in the region opener for both teams. Bessemer City (1-1) will also get into region play, hosting McAdory (1-1).
Central steals the show in debut of Woodlawn’s new stadium
By Ronnell Foreman Jr.
It was all Central Falcons in the first game played in Woodlawn High School’s new stadium.
Central jumped out to a commanding 31-3 lead at halftime on its way to a 38-18 victory. It’s the first victory of the season for the Falcons.
It was the first game played at Woodlawn High School since 1975. The Colonels new stadium seats 2,800 and the new facility includes a field house, new coaches offices, a film room and weight room, as well as a full-sized training room. The project took two and a half years to complete, and cost $8.7 million to build.
Next week, Central (1-1) opens region play on the road at Paul Bryant (1-1).
Second half rally lifts Cleburne County past Northside
Cleburne County scored a pair of touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to beat Northside, 20-16.
Northside led 16-6 at halftime, but that immediately changed to begin the 3rd quarter. Cleburne County’s Dandrae O’Neil returned the opening kickoff of the second half nearly 60 yards, down to the Northside 35 yard line.
The Tigers offense cashed in on the good field position. Quarterback Hunter Gore connected with Greyson Freeman on an 25 yard touchdown pass. The extra point cut the Northside lead to 16-13.
Northside’s offense look to answer the Tigers score. Quarterback Evan Taylor and the Rams drove as far as the Cleburne County 30. On 4th and long, the Rams kept the offense on the field, but Jackson Rhodes pass fell incomplete.
Cleburne County put another scoring drive together, finished off by running back Jake Dingler’s 30 yard touchdown run to give the Tigers the lead for good.
Next week, Northside (1-1) opens up region play on the road against Oak Grove. Cleburne County (1-0) also goes on the road for its first test of region play, playing at Talladega.
ACA outlasts Tuscaloosa Academy
American Christian Academy finished strong, scoring the final two touchdowns of the game to beat Tuscaloosa Academy, 33-20.
It was a game of runs. Tuscaloosa Academy was hot early, jumping out to a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Knights Ellis Hamiter scored both touchdowns.
American Christian Academy answered with three consecutive touchdowns of its own. Running back Jackson Willingham’s 2-yard touchdown run gave the Patriots a 20-14 lead at halftime.
Tuscaloosa Academy began the second half just like it started the game. Quarterback Preston Lancaster and the Knights found the end zone. Lancaster threw a 26 yard touchdown to James Stanard to tie the game, 20-20.
ACA put the game away with the final two scores of the contest. Quarterback Kai Young threw a touchdown pass to Caleb Morrison, followed by Willingham scoring his third touchdown of the game.
Next week, ACA (1-1) opens region play at he against the Holt Ironmen (0-1). Tuscaloosa Academy (1-1) hosts Aliceville (0-2) in its region opener as well.
Bibb County overcomes early miscue to beat Gordo
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Alex Boothe
The Bibb County Choctaws defeated the Gordo Green Wave on a rainy night in Centreville, 33-21 on Friday. After back-and-forth action in the first half, Bibb County was able to pull away and secure the win at home in the second half.
Bibb County had a long drive in the first quarter but ended abruptly when quarterback Jordan Leverette would keep it himself on a designed quarterback keeper, getting all the way to the goal line before fumbling the ball before crossing the plane and the ball bounced out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a touchback and Gordo’s ball.
Gordo took advantage of the huge break, as the very next play would go for an 80-yard touchdown. Quarterback Jase Neel would drop back and fake a screen pass left, before throwing it back right where receiver Ethan Wilder would catch the ball and have a convoy of blockers in front of him to run behind all the way down the sideline for the touchdown, giving Gordo an early 6-0 lead.
Bibb County would respond quickly when running back Jay Harris would take a hand off at mid-field and sidestepped a defender before taking it all the way for the score.
The Choctaws would add another touchdown on their next possession. Leverette delivered a perfect deep ball to receiver Kavon Holman who made the sliding catch in the endzone, giving Bibb County its first lead of the game.
Bibb County took a 13-6 lead into halftime and never looked back, controlling the second half en route to a home victory.
Next up for Bibb County (2-0) is a home match up against West Blocton (2-0). For Gordo (1-1), they will look to bounce back on the road against Winfield (2-0).
Hoover falls to Oak Grove, off to worst start since 2014
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Sam Holley
Hoover could not come up the big play in overtime, losing to Oak Grove (Miss.) 28-21.
The loss drops the Bucs to 0-2 on the young season, their worst start since 2014.
Oak Grove opened the scoring with a dynamic punt return from Nehemiah Taylor. After both teams traded three-and-outs to start the game, Taylor fielded the Hoover punt at his teams 15-yard line and didn’t stop running. The 85-yard punt return and extra point gave Oak Grove a 7-0 lead.
Hoover evened the score in the second quarter when quarterback Noah Schuback delivered a 48-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Woolen,
The Bucs and the Warriors each scored again before halftime. Oak Grove quarterback Anthony Maddox threw a long touchdown pass to Tajii Burkett. Hoover’s Schuback answered with a touchdown pass to Chris Warren with only 21 seconds left in the first half. The extra point tied the game at 14.
Hoover delivered the first big play of the second half. The Bucs Jamar Moultrie blocked an Oak Grove punt, giving the offense the ball inside the red zone.
Hoover did not squander the opportunity, as Jonah Winston found the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run. The Bucs led 21-14 with 11:11 to go.
Oak Grove tied the game on another Maddox touchdown pass, this one to Prentiss Woodland.
Hoover had a chance to win the game, but the Bucs missed a 33-yard field goal with under two minutes to go. The game was 21-21 going to overtime.
Oak Grove got the ball first in OT, and Maddox connected on his third touchdown pass, finding Damari Jefferson for the only score of overtime.
Hoover (0-2) will look to bounce back next week as they travel to Spain Park (2-0).
Oak Grove (2-0) will return to Mississippi for a game at Hattiesburg (1-1).
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Center Point vs Aliceville
Fayette County vs Sulligent
Francis Marion vs Greene County
Minor vs Paul Bryant
Homewood vs Vestavia Hills
Clay-Chalkville vs Hueytown
Moody vs Sylacauga
Trinity Christian vs Tuscaloosa Christian
Parker vs Ramsay
All the highlights – plus scores, cheerleaders, and ‘Band of the Week’.
