Gulf Shores running backs Kolin Wilson and Ronnie Royal both topped 100 yards rushing and Royal scored three times, while the top-ranked Dolphin defense bottled up Headland for three quarter a comfortable 35-14 Class 5A state quarterfinal win at Headland’s J.J. Yarbrough Stadium Friday night.

Gulf Shores (13-0) advanced to next week’s state semifinals at home against Eufaula, which edged Demopolis 20-17 on Friday. It marks the Dolphins’ first trip to the state semifinals.

Headland’s season came to an end, but not before the Rams (10-3) advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time in their history.

Though Headland prevented many big runs, Wilson and Royal did enough nickel-and-dime type damage. Wilson earned 129 yards on just 14 carries and scored on a 10-yard run, while Royal, an N.C. State commit, amassed 120 yards on 12 carries with scoring runs of 26, 2 and 30 yards with the two bigger runs coming off wide receiver reverses.

The Gulf Shores defense bottled up the potentially explosive Headland offense, limiting the Rams to 112 yards through three shutout quarters before the Rams gained some traction late in the game to finish with 253 yards. The Dolphins harassed quarterback Jaxon Williams, sacking him five times and forcing two intentional grounding penalties under pressure.

Offensively, the Dolphins capitalized on their opportunities, scoring on three of four first-half possessions to build a 21-0 halftime lead.

Wilson’s 100-yard game was his 11th of the season for Gulf Shores. Braden Jackson also had a 30-yard TD.

Landon Everett led the Gulf Shores defense with nine tackles. Kingston Lowe added four sacks and five tackles for a loss. Carter Byrd had seven tackles for Mark Hudspeth’s team.

— David Mundee, Dothan Eagle