Evan Ausmer ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and backup quarterback Kaleb Carson stepped in for ailing regular starter Will Myers as Homewood beat Pelham 31-21 on Friday at Waldrop Stadium. The win was the fifth straight for the Patriots, who clinched a Class 6A, Region 3 playoff berth.

Homewood is 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the region.

Homewood rolled up 319 total yards with 235 coming on the ground. Carson finished with 73 yards on 11 carries in the win. He also completed 7-of-11 passes in the win for 84 yards.

Senior Altovise Crear scored twice, finishing with 41 yards on 8 carries.

Demarcus Walker had 3 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown for Homewood. Whit Armistead booted a 25-yard field goal.

The Patriots led 31-7 headed into the fourth period and punted only once in the game.

Pelham finished with 261 total yards, 209 through the air in the loss that dropped the Panthers to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in region play.

Homewood plays at Briarwood Christian on Friday to wrap up region play. Pelham will host Chilton County.