Texas commit KJ Lacey tossed seven touchdowns as the top-ranked Spartans continued to roll on Friday night, defeating Blount 59-20 in Class 6A, Region 1 play.

The Spartans scored on their first three offensive possessions to race out to a 21-0 lead before Blount mounded a brief rally. Javarous White had TD runs of 2 and 5 yards to trim the Saraland lead to 21-12 with 3:30 left in the first half.

That is as close as Blount would get, however.

“We needed to be in a game like this,” Spartans coach Jeff Kelly said. “Sometimes, it’s a good thing to be punched in the mouth and see how your team responds.”

The Spartans ripped off 35 straight points.

Back-to-back touchdowns by Alabama commit Ryan Williams put Saraland up 35-12 at the half.

“The message was simply you have to come ready to play, and you have to be able to answer and score,” Kelly said.

The Spartans had an answer wearing No. 9 at quarterback.

Lacey completed 11-of-14 passes for 212 yard. He connected with five different receivers. Williams hauled in five passes for 136 yards and touchdowns of 4, 54 and 36 yards.

“They were in man-to-man defensively, so I was able to create a lot of separation,” Williams said. “That is where I feel I excel the most. KJ was getting it to me when I was open.”

Star of the game: Lacey. The junior was nearly perfect with four touchdowns at halftime and three move in the second half.

“Offensively, we really just took what their defense gave us,” he said.

Play of the game: Once the Leopards closed the gap to 21-12, Lacey only needed 12 seconds to extend the lead, connecting with Williams on a 54-yard touchdown pass with Williams splitting two defenders to make the catch.

Stat sheet: Lacey added touchdown passes to CD Gill (20 yards), Myron Dunklin (35), Jordan Dees (11) and Dillon Alfred (15). … Santae McWilliams had the lone rushing score for Saraland, a 10-yard run in the first quarter. McWilliams rushed for 56 yards on eight carries. Javarous White rushed for 60 yards, including the two touchdown runs, for Blount. Jerome Williams added a late touchdown run of 35 yards for the Leopards. Kinley Johnson’s 45-yard reception was the longest for the Leopards.

By the numbers: (7) Victories in a row by the Spartans over the Leopards. (10) receiving touchdowns on the season by Ryan Williams, the reigning Mr. Football winner. (59) The Leopards gave up a school-record in points allowed. The previous high was 56.

Did you know? Saraland has scored 40 or more points in a regular season game 62 times under Jeff Kelly since 2011.

Coachspeak: ”We knew the task at hand, but for us its about playing one play at time, focusing on the opponent in front of you.” — Blount coach Ramon Nelson.

“Tip your hat to Blount, they got some athletes. They came in with a plan, a couple things gave us some looks early on, but we were able to make the adjustments.” — Kelly.

They said it: “We weren’t worried at 21-12. Defensively, we just had to come together as a team, and make sure we were doing our assignments as individuals.” — Saraland lineman and Alabama commit Antonio Coleman.

Next week: Saraland (7-0,5-0) hosts Baldwin County on Friday, while Blount (1-5,1-3) travels to Theodore to take on the Bobcats on Thursday.