Thursday Football Roundup: Check out some key statewide highlights
Gordo’s defense recorded two interceptions – one of which was returned 60 yards – as the Green Wave rolled past Fayette County 35-0 on Thursday night.
Gordo improved to 7-1 with its sixth straight win. Gus Smith’s team is 5-0 in Class 3A, Region 5 play. Fayette County fell to 6-1, 3-1 with its first loss of the season.
Max Stephenson’s 60-yad interception return set up an easy score by QB Brax Garrison with 2:30 left in the second quarter.
“I feel great about the defense. I think they are confident in what we are doing,” said Smith, in his first year as Gordo’s head coach.
Garrison accounted for four of Gordo’s five scores with three rushing touchdowns and a 47-yard touchdown pass to Willie Fonville. Garrison finished the night 12-of-18 for 138 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and was intercepted once. He also had 59 yards and 3 TDs on 13 carries.
“I feel like I’ve improved my rushing game,” he said. “I feel like I’ve put a lot of work in the weight room getting faster and stronger, and it’s starting to show now.”
Chrisjavion Lark scored Gordo’s other TD, a 27-yard touchdown with 4:54 left in the game. In addition to the two interceptions, Gordo also forced a fumble on a kickoff return, which set up Lark’s score.
Fayette County running back Charles Grant carried the load for the struggling offense with 15 carries for 88 yards. Fayette County used two quarterbacks, Blake Johnson and Dylan Schloerb. They were a combined 6-of-16 for 59 yards with two interceptions.
Gordo’s defense had three players with double digit tackles. Stephenson had 10 tackles with the interception. Blane Chandler led the Green Wave with 14 tackles. Cameron Lark recorded 12 tackles and a sack.
Gordo finished with 288 total yards of offense. Fayette County had 188.
Starting Gordo WR Caleb Jennings was carted off the field following a scary injury with 8:26 left in the game. He was carted off with a large brace on his left leg.
— Nick Robbins
St. Michael 49, Wilcox Central 6
Josh Murphy threw three touchdown passes as St. Michael won on the road.
The Cardinals (5-3 overall, 4-1 Class 4A, Region 1) earned their fourth win in five games and have region games against Jackson and T.R. Miller remaining.
Murphy finished 7-of-9 passing for 83 yards. Gunner Rivers, the son of coach Philip Rivers, finished 11-of-12 passing for 142 yards and a TD.
Cooper Helper, Martin Corte, Ezra Sexton and Sam Murray all caught TD passes.
Sexton and Nick Rousso scored rushing TDs.
Wilcox Central fell to 0-6, 0-5.
Homewood 31, Chilton County 10
Woods Ray threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead Homewood to a road win at Clanton to improve to 4-0 in Class 6A, Region 3 play. The Patriots are 5-2 overall and dropped Chilton County to 3-5, 0-5.
The senior Ray completed 10-of-12 passes for 152 yards and connected with Jackson Parris for a TD. Ray ran 6 times for 77 yards and a score.
Homewood also got a rushing touchdown from Mondrell Odell and Parker Sansing had an 87-yard interception return.
Charles Reeves caught 3 passes for 70 yards to lead Homewood and Owen Isenhower ran 6 times for 40 yards.
The Patriots finished with 340 total yards – 183 on the ground – and held the Tigers to 168 total yards.
Homewood plays at Pelham next week in a key region game. Chilton County is idle next week before hosting Pelham on Oct. 21.
Central-Phenix City 55, Lee-Montgomery 20
Fourth-ranked Central-Phenix City set up a matchup with undefeated and No. 1 Auburn next week with an easy win.
Jaylen Epps completed 6-of-9 passes for 76 yards and a TD. Max Johnson also threw a touchdown pass.
Romello Green ran for two TDs. Tristan Williams, Zack Simmons and Johnson also scored on the ground.
Karmello English and Collin Freiberg caught one touchdown pass apiece.
The Red Devils improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in Class 7A, Region 2 play. Lee fell to 0-6, 0-4.
Central will host Auburn (7-0, 5-0) next Friday.
Gulf Shores 49, Elberta 3
J.R. Gardner rushed for 151 yards and 2 TDs on just nine carries as Class 5A No. 6 Gulf Shores won at home.
The Dolphins improved to 7-1 overall with their fourth straight victory. Mark Hudspeth’s team is now 5-1 in Region 1 play. They are idle next week.
Gulf Shores led 49-0 at the half and racked up 460 total yards to Elberta’s 99 for the game.
Ronnie Royal rushed for 56 yards and 4 TDs on just six carries. Brendon Byrd was 4-of-7 passing for 121 yards and a TD. He also rushed four times for 53 yards.
Cameron Cooper led the Dolphins’ defense with 5 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Elberta fell to 1-6, 1-4.
This post will be updated