Football Friday: Sept. 15, 2023
WVUA 23 recaps Week 4 of the High School football season. Enjoy highlights from:
Bibb County takes control of region race with win over ACA
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Sutton Smith
TUSCALOOSA – Bibb County weathered the surging storms of the 1st half and rallied to beat ACA, 22-20.
This marks the first time in five seasons the Choctaws have taken down their Class 4A Region 3 opponent.
“We have a great community and our kids battled their tails off tonight,” Bibb County head coach Matt Geohagan said. “In Bibb County, Friday night means something; it’s important to our kids and community. I love being here and I love our kids because they just kept playing.”
Coach Geohagan was quick not to take all the praise for a 4-0 start. Instead, he turned to his coaching staff and players.
“I truly believe I have the best coaching staff in the state,” Geohagan said. “They leave their families to be with our players and they work tirelessly. They are great football coaches but even better men.”
Bibb County running back Jay Harris had a night to remember. He led the Choctaw ground game with two rushing touchdowns, one giving them the lead in the fourth quarter.
“Jay’s a true competitor and he wants to win badly,” Geohagan said. “He wants the ball in his hands and to run behind his offensive line and those receivers who block for him.”
Harris was a workhorse all night and even went down with an injury late in the fourth quarter. Like his coach, he was quick to thank his teammates, in particular, his offensive lineman.
“In the 4th quarter they came to play,” Harris said. “We came out strong in the second half; my offensive line is just too good.”
The Choctaws dominated the trenches in the second half. Whether it was pushing the ball down the field slowly and methodically or rushing the quarterback on defense; they came to play.
Before the game, Geohagan emphasized physicality, something his team carried with them into the second half.
“We made mistakes early on; we were down by 10 at the half,” Geohagan said. “We won that ball game in the second half because all three phases of our game came together.”
The Choctaws (4-0, 2-0) are riding high into Week 5 undefeated; they travel to Sipsey Valley next Friday night.
The Patriots (2-2, 1-1) look to get back on track next week on the road against Hale County (1-3, 1-1).
Hillcrest makes quick work of Hueytown
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Alex Boothe
Head coach Jamie Mitchell and his Hillcrest Patriots move to 4-0 after a dominating home win over Hueytown, 35-6.
The Patriots dominated the line of scrimmage, running the ball down the field on their opening possession before running back Jayshon Land finished with a two-yard touchdown for Hillcrest’s opening touchdown.
The Patriots domination would not stop there. Running back Santonious Brown finished the second scoring drive with a short touchdown run to give Hillcrest a 14-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, Hillcrest quarterback Bryson Kimbrough would fake a hand off to Land and take it himself for a 12-yard touchdown run.
Just before halftime, Kimbrough would drop back and throw it deep down the right sideline for his receiver Decorrion Thomas. After making the catch, Thomas made two Hueytown defenders miss on his way to a 55-yard touchdown.
Hillcrest would go into the halftime break leading 29-0 and would never look back, running away with the home victory.
Next week, Hillcrest (4-0, 2-0) travels to Brookwood (1-3, 0-2). Hueytown (1-3, 1-1) returns home to host the Bessemer City Tigers (3-1, 1-1).
Gordo shuts out Midfield in home opener
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Riley Theis
Gordo quarterback Jase Neel threw a pair of first half touchdowns, and the Green Wave broke the game wide open in the second half in a 42-0 win over Midfield.
Neel delivered scoring passes to running back Jace Hathcock and wide receiver Ethan Wilder to help the Green Wave to a 15-0 lead at halftime.
Neel finished with three touchdown passes, and Gordo rushed for 232 yards in the win.
Next week, Gordo (2-1, 2-0) travels to Tarrant (1-2, 0-2). Midfield (0-3, 0-2) hosts Winfield (2-1, 0-1) on Thursday night in search for its first win of the season.
Marion County withstands the rain to beat Holy Spirit
Lighthouse lights up North River Christian
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Molly Harrold
The Lighthouse Christian Academy Warriors came to dominate Friday night and that is precisely what they did in a 52-15 road win at North River Christian.
Off the jump, the Warriors scored 46 points before the half, allowing their second string to take over in the next two quarters.
But the Chargers did not give up hope, late in the third quarter, North River Christian quarterback Joshua Harris found Mathew Johnson who broke multiple tackles to score the Chargers’ first touchdown of the night.
However, Lighthouse kept on trucking toward the end zone with running back Cutter Wanninger powering through the line to gain yards, as well as Cullen White to make the touchdowns.
The Chargers hope to carry the late game success into their next game. North River Christian (1-3, 0-1) travels to Cornerstone Christian Academy next Friday.
Northside picks up first region win
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Kalani Bagsby
Northside started fast and put the game away early in a 55-14 win over Curry.
Northside started off with a pop up and cornerback Camden Sumner is able to recover it, gaining the team some yardage.
Shortly thereafter, quarterback Jackson Rhodes, with an absolute dime to Sumner once again resulting in
an outstanding catch and the Rams score, making them up 7-0.
Curry gets the ball but is brought down hard by defensive tackle Alex Snodgrass, but this is no distraction to Curry. Curry has a comeback with quarterback JD Sickles pass to Doubton Mathis, and Mathis rushes for some yards. Unfortunately for the yellow jackets, Mathis is taken down while by Rams outside linebacker Eddie Taylor Thompson.
Northside is back with the ball, and tight end Devin Guin runs it in for a Rams touchdown.
Next week Northside (2-2), travels to Haleyville High School (2-2) to face the Lions. Curry (0-4), travels to Oak Grove High School (3-0) to face the Tigers hopeful for a comeback.
Hale County too much for Holt
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Sam Holley
Hale County took it’s early season frustration out on Holt.
The Wildcats hit on big plays early in a 41-0 win over the Ironmen.
Hale County’s Antwain Zinnerman connected with Erius Hamilton for an early touchdown.
Wildcats running back Broderick Hill set up another score with a 25-yard run. A few plays later, Devin Lewis finished off the drive with a short touchdown run.
Holt’s offense is still looking to get on track. The Ironmen have been shutout through the first three games.
Next week, Hale County (2-2, 1-1) will look to carry over its momentum when it hosts American Christian Academy (2-2, 1-1). Holt (0-3, 0-2) takes on Dallas County (0-3, 0-2) with both teams looking to break into the win column.
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-Brookwood Panthers vs Central Falcons
-McAdory Yellow Jackets vs Paul Bryant Stampede
-Sipsey Valley Bears vs West Blocton Tigers
-Thompson Warriors vs Spain Park Jaguars
-Hoover Bucs vs Vestavia Hills Rebels
-Tuscaloosa County Wildcats vs Hewitt-Trussville Huskies
-Pinson Valley Indians vs Clay-Chalkville Cougars
-Center Point Eagles vs Pell City Panthers
-Russell Christian Academy vs Tuscaloosa Christian
