Auburn High's Towns McGough 'a weapon' in 7A playoffs

Auburn High’s Towns McGough ‘a weapon’ in 7A playoffs

The record-setting career of Auburn High School senior Towns McGough is going to carry on for at least one more week.

McGough (pronounced McGoo) kicked field goals of 52 and 46 yards to help the Tigers to a 27-17 win over Baker on Friday night. The next stop is a rematch at Central-Phenix City with a spot in the Class 7A semifinals on the line.

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McGough’s 52-yarder late in the first half gives him four makes of more than 50 yards this season. That breaks the single-season state record previously held by current Auburn University kicker Alex McPherson, who broke record of his brother, current Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson.

Later in the game, McGough tied Sage Ledbetter’s school record of 17 made field goals in a season. McGough has made 17-of-19 field goals this season. He’s a perfect 17-of-17 from kicks of 55 yards or less. He’s also perfect on 45 extra points and consistently booms kickoffs through the end zone.

“What a weapon,” said Auburn coach Keith Etheredge.

McGough’s 52-yarder against Baker came with 22 seconds left in the first half. He actually made the kick three times into a swirling 8 mph wind because of two timeouts called and another stoppage of play by the officials. Each time he nailed the kick with plenty of distance to spare.

“On the first one, I knew it was just for practice. But I didn’t know they had stopped the play before I kicked it the second time,” McGough said. “I like to get in a practice kick if I can. It was good this time because there was a crosswind and it was tough conditions.”

McGough, who wore an Auburn University towel during Friday night’s game, is attracting the interest of college recruiters. This week he received offers from South Alabama, Western Kentucky and Troy (his father’s alma mater). Several SEC schools have shown interest, most noticeably Ole Miss.

McGough is committed to play in the Under Armour All-American Game. He turned down the Army All-American Game because it conflicted with the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game in Hattiesburg.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Alabama-Mississippi game,” McGough said. “I’m going to get a chance to play for (Enterprise) coach Ben Blackmon, who went to college at Troy with my father. I love him and I want to represent Alabama.”