An in-depth look at all 12 AHSAA state semifinal games
Here’s a look at all 12 state semifinal football games this week.
All games are currently scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Class 7A championship game on Dec. 6 will feature Thompson against Central-Phenix City.
CLASS 6A
PIKE ROAD (11-2) AT SARALAND (13-0)
Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium, Saraland
Path to the semifinals: Pike Road – Def. Homewood 10-9, Spanish Fort 31-17, Benjamin Russell 31-28; Saraland – Def. McAdory 54-14, Briarwood 51-14, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 31-21.
Coaches: Pike Road – Granger Shook (11-2 in first season), Saraland – Jeff Kelly (131-35 in 13 seasons).
Key players: Pike Road – QB Cason Myers is completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,269 yards and 17 TDs. He’s been intercepted five times. Jordan King has caught 52 passes for 1,005 yards and 10 TDs. He also has 2 rushing TDs. Mike Jones has rushed for 1,161 yards and 19 TDs on 204 carries. Defensively, Auburn DL commit Malik Blocton has 109 tackles, including 30 TFL, and 14 sacks. Saraland – Texas QB commit KJ Lacey is completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,734 yards and 36 TDs. He’s been intercepted 7 times. Junior Santae McWilliams leads the team in rushing with 881 yards and 19 TDs on 135 carries. Reigning Mr. Football and Alabama commit Ryan Williams has 55 receptions for 1,001 yards and 16 TDs. He’s also rushed for 231 yards and 6 TDs and thrown a TD pass. Jordan Dees (6 TDs), Dillon Alfred (5) and CD Gill (4) have combined for 15 TD receptions. Alabama DL commit Antonio Coleman has 62 tackles, including 22.5 for a loss, and 4 sacks. Senior Camron York leads the team in tackles with 78. Cam Laffite has 76 and Vandy commit Jamison Curtis has 71.
The skinny: First meeting between the two teams. … Pike Road has won 11 straight since opening the season with losses against Marist, Ga. (42-14) and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (30-6). The Patriots have scored 447 points and given up 286. They won the Class 5A state title in 2021 with a team that included current Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins. Shook is the team’s third coach since then. … Saraland has won 19 straight games dating back to a regular-season loss at Theodore a year ago. The reigning 6A champs held the No. 1 spot in the Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings all season. The Spartans have outscored opponents 680-182 this season. Their closest games were an opening night win over Tennessee power Lipscomb Academy (31-30 in OT) and last week’s win over Hillcrest.
PARKER (12-1) AT CLAY-CHALKVILLE (12-0)
Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Cougar Stadium
Path to the semifinals: Parker – Def. Mae Jemison 61-14, Oxford 21-14 and Gadsden City 35-20; Clay-Chalkville – Def. Cullman 49-7, Mountain Brook 17-13 and Muscle Shoals 44-27.
Coaches: Parker – Frank Warren (36-13 in four seasons); Clay-Chalkville – Drew Gilmer (79-12 in seven seasons)
Key players: Parker – Junior Na’eem Offord showed why he is one of the top prospects in the state in last week’s win over Gadsden City. He returned one punt 45 yards for a TD and another 60 yards to set up a score. He finished with four touchdowns, including runs of 2, 5 and 13 yards out of the Wildcat formation. QB Cameron Jennings completed 5-of-14 passes for 98 yards. Chancellor Sparks ran for 124 yards and a TD on 12 carries. Clay-Chalkville – Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe threw for 316 yards and 5 TDs in last week’s win over Muscle Shoals. He completed 21-of-27 passes and went 7-of-8 in the second half for 164 yards and 4 TDs. Mario Craver had 5 receptions for 81 yards and 2 TDs. Marlon Compton had seven receptions for 94 yards and a TD.
The skinny: Parker upset Clay 7-6 in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. It’s one of just two losses by the Cougars in the past three years. Thompson in the 2022 regular season was the other. Clay is 35-2 during that stretch. … Parker’s only loss this season was a 22-21 setback at Pleasant Grove on Oct. 6. The Herd has won seven straight since then and has outscored its opponents 515-168 during the season. Parker is in the state semifinals for the first time since 1989. … Clay is in the semifinals for the fourth time under Gilmer. The Cougars won the 6A title in 2021. Led by Mbakwe, this year’s team is averaging 40 points a game and giving up just 10.4. … The game also will include Alabama DL commit Jeremiah Beaman (Parker), Oregon OL commit JacQawn Mcroy (Clay), uncommitted WR Mario Craver (Clay) and Auburn LB commit D’Angelo Barber (Clay) among others.
CLASS 5A
EUFAULA (10-3) AT GULF SHORES (13-0)
Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium, Gulf Shores
Path to the semifinals: Eufaula – Def. Shelby County 65-19, Faith Academy 41-14 and Demopolis 20-17; Gulf Shores – Def. Beauregard 48-7, Charles Henderson 41-0 and Headland 35-14
Coaches: Eufaula – Jerrell Jernigan (17-6 in two seasons); Gulf Shores – Mark Hudspeth (30-6 in three years)
Key players: Eufaula – QB Browning Anderson has completed 53 percent of his passes for 2,330 yards and 20 TDs. He’s been intercepted 8 times. Anderson also has 8 rushing TDs. RB Marquia “Red” Harris has rushed for 1,216 yards and 15 TDs on 186 carries. Antron Mitchell is the leading receiver with 1,076 yards and 9 TDs on 51 receptions. Defensively, Jaquavious Moss leads the way with 98 tackles and 13 TFL. Shamarion Smith has 80 tackles. Gulf Shores – Junior Kolin Wilson has rushed for 1,647 yards and 25 TDs on 177 carries. N.C. State commit Ronnie Royal has 766 yards and 14 TDs rushing and 436 yards and a TD receiving. He has 2,352 all-purpose yards. That includes kick and punt returns. He has 46 tackles and 4 interceptions on defense. Senior Isaiah Hammac leads the defense in tackles with 96. Landon Everett has 92 and Jamichael Garrett has 74. DL Otto Brewer has 54 tackles and 26.5 tackles for a loss.
The skinny: The two teams have never played. … Eufaula is making its first semifinal appearance since 2006. The Tigers went 14-1 that year under coach Dan Klages, losing to Athens in the 5A championship game. This year’s Eufaula team lost to Enterprise (63-14), Pike Road (48-30) and Charles Henderson (51-31) – all playoff teams and all on the road. The Tigers have scored 457 points and given up 361. … Gulf Shores is in the state semifinals for the first time. The Dolphins reached the quarterfinals last year before losing at home to Faith Academy. Hudspeth’s team has outscored the competition 510-124 and is 24-2 overall in the last two seasons.
GUNTERSVILLE (12-1) AT RAMSAY (11-2)
Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Legion Field, Birmingham
Path to the semifinals: Guntersville – Def. Springville 31-7, John Carroll 20-17 and Pleasant Grove 31-21; Ramsay – Def. West Point 50-0, Leeds 42-7 and Moody 40-27.
Coaches: Guntersville – Lance Reese (119-41 in 14 seasons); Ramsay – Ronnie Jackson (30-9 in three seasons).
Key players: Guntersville – QB Eli Morrison is completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,788 yards and 19 TDs. He’s been intercepted three times. He’s also rushed for 4 TDs. Enelson Delva leads the team in rushing with 1,439 yards and 15 TDs on 228 carries. Cam Logan (6), Dadrien Waller (4), Treyvon Avery (4) and Date Peterson (3) have combined for 17 TD receptions. EJ Havis leads the defense with 80 tackles and 12 TFL. Ramsay – QB Kam Keenan is completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,781 yards and 28 TDs. He’s been intercepted 8 times. He’s also rushed for 4 TDs. Senior RB Ashton Ashford has rushed for 916 yards and 16 TDs on 129 carries. Kristian Stinson has caught 42 passes for 1,038 yards and 10 TDs. Tre’mell Washington has 56 receptions for 979 yards and 8 TDs. Alabama LB commit QB Reese is credited with 160 tackles, including 24 for a loss. Marquel Patterson has 152 tackles.
The skinny: The two teams met in the second round a year ago with Ramsay winning 45-9 at Guntersville. … The Wildcats’ only loss came against Arab, 29-19 on Oct. 20. They’ve won five straight since. They’ve outscored their opponents 418-148 for the season. Guntersville last made the semifinals in 2006. That team defeated Thomasville 28-27 – at Legion Field ironically — to win the 4A state title. … Ramsay won the state title a year ago, defeating Charles Henderson 41-20 in the final. The Rams’ losses this year came against Class 6A Parker (20-17) and Class 7A Auburn (13-7). They’ve outscored the competition 495-145 in the playoffs.
CLASS 4A
B.T. WASHINGTON (9-4) AT MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC (13-0)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Catholic Field
Path to the semifinals: B.T. Washington – Def. American Christian 22-12, Handley 22-9, Jackson 20-17; Montgomery Catholic – Def. West Blocton 48-7, T.R. Miller 24-14, Jacksonville 44-20
Coaches: B.T. Washington – Lawrence O’Neal (19-16 in three seasons); Montgomery Catholic – Kirk Johnson (39-2 in three seasons)
Key players: B.T. Washington – Troy commitment Elijah Hall has thrown 19 touchdown passes and scored a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns – the last of which was the game-winning score against Jackson. He has five TD passes and three scoring runs in the playoffs … Auburn four-star linebacker commit Joseph Phillips leads the team in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles. … Marquez Daniel leads the team in TD catches and interceptions (including two pick-6s). Montgomery Catholic – Troy commitment Caleb McCreary has completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards and 17 touchdowns with four picks. He averages 10.9 yards per carry and has scored 19 rushing TDs. … Josh Griffin has run for 1,646 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 12.6 yards per carry. … Defensive leaders include Miles Khatri (116 tackles), Garrett Sanford (23 tackles for a loss) and Rickie Williams (13 passes defended).
The skinny: These teams both hail from Region 2. Top-ranked Montgomery Catholic rolled to a 56-6 win Sept. 8. McCreary accounted for four touchdowns. The Knights own a 4-0 series lead and have outscored the Golden Eagles 202-20. … Montgomery Catholic has the No. 1 scoring defense in Class 4A at 5.6 points per game. … The Knights were eliminated in the semifinals the past two seasons (4A in 2022 and 3A in 2021) and were the 3A state runner-up in 2020. … B.T. Washington is enjoying the best season in program history. The Golden Eagles qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 2016 and won their first postseason game last year. … B.T. Washington’s other losses this season were to Class 6A semifinalist Pike Road, Class 4A No. 3-ranked Andalusia and Class 3A quarterfinalist Trinity. The Golden Eagles have already upset two ranked teams this postseason – No. 2 Jackson and No. 6 Handley. …B.T. Washington has the most on-the-field losses of any remaining team among all classifications. Class 1A Coosa Christian is 8-5, with four of those losses being forfeits.
CHEROKEE COUNTY (12-1) AT WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (11-2)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Earl Van Dyke Stadium, Huntsville
Path to the semifinals: Cherokee County – Def. Central-Florence 56-28, Haleyville 49-14, West Morgan 28-27; Westminster – Def. Oak Grove 35-13, Deshler 39-35, Brooks 48-27
Coaches: Cherokee County – Jacob Kelley (44-16 in five seasons), Westminster – Louis LeBlanc (53-35 in eight seasons)
Key players: Cherokee County – Jacob Cornejo has unofficially run for 2,747 yards and 34 touchdowns this season while averaging 9.6 yards per carry. His yardage total ranks 14th in AHSAA history for a single season. He ran for 236 yards and three TDs on 36 carries against West Morgan last week. Cornejo, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior who also sees action at linebacker, was a first-team All-State selection at athlete last season. … Defensive end Tae Diamond leads the team in tackles and sacks, while safety Jace Turner spearheads the secondary. Westminster – Senior Quarterback Brandon Musch has rushed for 2,213 yards and 36 touchdowns this season while averaging 11.1 yards per carry; he has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 1,691 yards and 26 touchdowns against five interceptions. Musch’s career totals of 13,970 total yards and 193 TDs each rank second in AHSAA history. He amassed 329 total yards and six TDs against Brooks last week. … Henry Claunch ran for 155 yards and a touchdown against Brooks. … Linebackers Cole Rosson and Zeke Carwile have each recorded more than 20 tackles for a loss.
The skinny: This matchup pits the Nos. 2 and 3 scoring offenses in Class 3A – Westminster at 44.6 and Cherokee County at 42.8. The Warriors have fielded the superior defense this season, allowing 11.5 points per game (fourth-lowest in 4A), while Westminster yields 30.4 … The Brooks game marked only the second time this season that Musch has not thrown a touchdown pass; the other was in a loss to Class 3A semifinalist Madison Academy in the final game of the regular season. … Westminster’s other defeat was to Class 6A Lee-Huntsville in the season opener. … Westminster set a program record for points scored in a season with 580, surpassing the mark of 538 by the 2018 team that reached the 3A quarterfinals. This year’s edition of the Wildcats and the 2018 squad are tied for the program high mark of 11 victories in a season. … Cherokee County was the state runner-up last season. … The No. 4-ranked Warriors’ lone loss this season was to Class 6A Fort Payne in the regular season finale. … Cherokee County is 5-1 all-time in the semifinals; the loss came in 1973 with a smaller playoff field. The Warriors are seeking their first state title since 2009. … Westminster is in the semis for the first time. … This is the first meeting between Cherokee County and Westminster.
CLASS 3A
ST. JAMES (11-2) AT MOBILE CHRISTIAN (13-0)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Harrison Field
Path to the semifinals: St. James – Def. Opp 41-7, Randolph County 41-6, Thomasville 28-26; Mobile Christian – Def. Beulah 52-7, Houston Academy 35-10, Trinity 42-21
Coaches: St. James – Neal Posey (11-2 in one season), Mobile Christian – Ronnie Cottrell (184-101 in 24 seasons; 83-31 in nine seasons at MC)
Key players: St. James – Arkansas commitment KJ Jackson has thrown 40 touchdown passes, and he leads the team with 13 rushing TDs. … Cole Anderson is a 1,000-yard rusher with 10 touchdowns. …. Tabor Offord has 16 TD catches and Clint Houser is next with nine. Mobile Christian – Damien Gatson, a South Alabama baseball commit, has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns with four interceptions. … PJ Brown has rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 TDs; he averages 9 yards per carry. … MJ Moore has 50 catches for 976 yards and nine touchdowns. He also returned two punts for TDs. On defense, he has six interceptions. … Kentonio Kelly averages 13.5 tackles per game; he has 17 tackles for a loss and three interceptions. … Floyd-Dawens Boucard has 21 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks. … Carter Lewis made seven of eight field goals with a long kick of 48 yards; he has made all 72 of his extra-point attempts.
The skinny: St. James beat Mobile Christian 35-7 in last year’s semifinals en route to the program’s first state championship. Jackson had a TD throw and run, and the Knights held the host Leopards to just 130 yards of offense. … There isn’t much separation between these offenses – No. 1-ranked Mobile Christian averages 42.5 and No. 6-ranked St. James averages 40.9. Defense is a different story: The Leopards allow only 7.2 points per game, lowest in Class 3A; the Trojans allow 24.9. … Mobile Christian set a program record for points scored (553) and equaled the 2016 state runner-up team for single-season wins. … St. James’ losses were to Class 5A Charles Henderson and Class 4A No. 6-ranked Handley. … Mobile Christian is 2-1 in the semifinals since joining the AHSAA in 2006. … Last year marked St. James’ first trip to the semis.
MADISON ACADEMY (13-0) AT GERALDINE (12-1)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Coolidge-Isbell Field
Path to the semifinals: Madison Academy – Def. Hokes Bluff 57-20, Mars Hill 21-14, Sylvania 35-28; Geraldine – Def. Susan Moore 56-14, Gordo 42-34, Lauderdale County 55-20
Coaches: Madison Academy – Bob Godsey (232-78 in 26 seasons; 49-12 in five seasons at MA), Geraldine – Michael Davis (28-9 in three seasons)
Key players: Madison Academy – Ken Cherry has averaged 16.1 yards per carry this season en route to 2,556 yards and 37 touchdowns. He scored the game-winning TD from 4 yards out with 19 seconds left against Sylvania. … Joshua Williams has rushed for 1,424 and 21 TDs with an average of 12.5 yards per attempt. … Jake Poldiak has completed 81.8 percent of his passes for 2,060 yards with 22 touchdowns with two picks. … Jackson Reece has 71 catches for 1,113 yards and 12 TDs. … Junior linebacker AJ Rice is committed to Mississippi State. Geraldine – Carlos Mann has scored 14 touchdowns during the playoffs — 10 rushing, three receiving and one kick return. … Quarterback Jaxon Colvin has three TD runs and three TD passes during the postseason. … Moses Garcia booted two 47-yard field goals against Lauderdale County.
The skinny: Second-ranked Madison Academy boasts the No. 1 scoring offense (49.5) and No. 2 scoring defense (11.5) in Class 3A. Eighth-ranked Geraldine has the No. 3 scoring defense (13.4). … Madison Academy is 5-2 all-time in the semifinals; the Mustangs lost in their last trip in 2021. … Madison Academy has its most wins since going 14-1 during a state title run in 2014. That 2014 team holds the program record for points scored with 722; this year’s team is second with 643. … This is Madison Academy’s first road game of the playoffs. … Geraldine set a program record for points scored (508) and tied the program mark for most wins. The 2000 Bulldogs also won 12 games and lost in the program’s only previous semifinal appearance. … Madison Academy is 2-0 against Geraldine, with wins in the regular season in 2011 and 2010.
CLASS 2A
REELTOWN (12-0) AT B.B. COMER (13-0)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Legion Stadium, Sylacauga
Path to the semifinals: Reeltown — Def. Wicksburg 34-14, Thorsby 48-14, Cottonwood 42-22; B.B. Comer — Def. Washington County 49-0, Highland Home 21-14, Clarke County 42-22.
Coaches: Reeltown – Matt Johnson (67-27 in 8 years, all at Reeltown); B.B. Comer – Adam Fossett (107-76 in 16 years; 52-22 in 6 years at B.B. Comer)
Key players: Reeltown – Senior QB Jacob Hornsby has completed 62.7 percent of his passes (42-for-67) for 846 yards with 13 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also has 168 yards rushing on 30 attempts with 6 scores. … Senior Arthur Woods has gained 2,027 yards on 132 attempts – 15.4 yards per carry and 168.9 yards per game – with 28 TDs. He has 9 games with at least 100 yards and a punt return for a TD. … Do-it-all junior WR/DB Tae Martin has 540 yards on the ground with 9 touchdowns on 45 carries. Martin has also caught 25 passes for 613 yards, 24.5 per reception, with 7 TDs. He has a kickoff return for a score and 8 2-point conversions. Martin also leads the Rebels with 95 total tackles – 68 solo with 8 TFL – and in interceptions with 4 for 124 yards. He has blocked 2 field goals. … Freshman Traylen Roberts has 504 yards on 48 attempts with 7 TDs. B.B. Comer – Senior QB Devin Harvey has completed 59-of-124 passes for 1,162 yards with 18 TDs and just 1 interception. … Senior RB/LB Kamore Harris, a University of Memphis commitment, averages 14.92 yards per carry. He has 1,626 yards on 109 attempts with 28 touchdowns. He also caught 5 passes for 168 yards with 2 scores. Harris leads the Tigers with 99 tackles, 35 solo, with 4 TFL and a sack. He has scored 3 defensive touchdowns. … Junior WR Richard Weed has 27 receptions for 485 yards and 6 TDs. … Junior Raelon Sims has 470 yards on 20 catches with 8 scores. … Senior DL/OL Chris Wilson has 98 total tackles with 14 TFL and 4 sacks.
The skinny: Reeltown has won three state titles, in 1987, 2001 and 2009, and finished second in 2019 to Fyffe, to Leroy in 2010, to Hazelwood in 2000, 1992 and 1991 and to Millport in 1984. … The Rebels won the Region 3 championship, their 26th overall, with a 7-0 record. … Reeltown is 75-36 in 39 playoff appearances, 9-4 in the semifinals. … B.B. Comer edged the Rebels 28-22 in the third round of the playoffs last season. … Reeltown beat the Tigers in 1992 and 1993. … Reeltown’s 523 points are a team record, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society website. … The Rebels scored 43.6 points a game – fourth best in Class 2A – and surrendered 11.6. Reeltown’s scoring defense is also No. 4 in 2A. … Reeltown held five teams to 8 points or less. … The Rebels are ranked third in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. … Reeltown has gained 3,974 yards on the ground with 906 more through the air. … Twelve Rebels have carried the ball at least once. … The stats also show 275 pancake blocks for the Reeltown offensive line. … The defense has registered 69 sacks and 50 quarterback hurries. … B.B. Comer is fifth in Class 2A in scoring at 41.2 points a game. … The Tigers have never won a state football title, falling in the finals last season to Fyffe and to Cordova in 1995. … Comer is 26-18 all-time in the playoffs, 2-1 in the semifinals. … The Tigers won the Region 4 crown with a 7-0 record, their ninth region championship and second straight. … B.B. Comer has the No. 7 scoring defense in the AHSAA, allowing 8.4 points a game, fourth in 2A. … The Tigers hold the 11th-best scoring differential, outscoring its opponents by an average of 32.9 points. … Comer’s 536 points are a record for the team, according to research from AHSFHS.org. … The Tigers notched four shutouts this season and held eight opponents to 7 points or fewer. … B.B. Comer outgained its opponents 4,440 total yards to 2,014. … The Tigers ran for 3,032 yards – 8.04 yards per carry and 233.2 yards per game.
PISGAH (12-1) AT FYFFE (12-1)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Paul Benefield Stadium, Fyffe
Path to the semifinals: Pisgah — Def. Pleasant Valley 44-20, Tanner 66-38, Tuscaloosa Academy 36-29; Fyffe — Def. West End 48-0, Lexington 57-24, Locust Fork 63-33.
Coaches: Pisgah – Luke Pruitt (41-29 in six years, all at Pisgah); Fyffe – Paul Benefield (349-56 in 32 years; 304-45 in 27 years at Fyffe)
Key players: Pisgah – Senior QB Mason Holcomb has completed 108-of-147 passes for 2,291 yards with 34 touchdowns. … Junior Legion McCrary has 1,000 yards on 126 carries with 10 TDs and 11 2-point conversions. … Freshman Brodie McBride has 434 yards rushing on 79 carries with 3 TDs. … Luke Gilbert, a 6-2, 200-pound junior, has 36 carries for 365 yards with 3 TDs, 3 2-point PATs. He has 32 catches for 546 yards and 6 scores. … Sophomore Landon Watkins has 365 yards on 36 carries with 3 scores with 21 receptions for 607 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Caleb Jenkins, another sophomore, caught 15 passes for 253 yards with 4 TDs. … Senior Jakob Kirby caught 32 passes for 722 yards with 11 TDs. … Sophomore Cape Duncan led the Eagles with 88 total tackles, 55 solo, 9 TFL, 6 quarterback hurries and 2 sacks. … Sophomore Jett Jeffery has 65 tackles with 43 solo stops, 9 TFL, 4 forced fumbles and 2 sacks. Fyffe – Junior QB Blake Dobbins completed 19-of-30 passes for 410 yards and 8 touchdowns – 42 percent of his completed passes were scores – with 3 interceptions. … Running back/linebacker Logan Anderson, a 6-2, 200-pound junior, has run for 2,355 yards on 196 carries – 12 yards per attempt – for 38 touchdowns in Benefield’s modified Wing-T offense. Anderson also has a pair of 2-point conversions for a total of 258 points on the year. In the rout of Locust Fork last week, Anderson ran for 362 yards and scored 7 TDs and had a 75-yard kickoff return for a score. … Ryder Gipson, a 5-9, 165-pound freshman, has 891 yards – 13 yards a carry – on 74 attempts with 15 TDs. Gipson has a pair of 2-point conversions for 100 total points. … RB/DB Everett DeBoard led the Red Devils with 9 catches for 156 yards and 4 scores. He also has Fyffe’s only interception this season to go with his 21 total tackles. … Jesse Martin made 43-of-58 extra-point kicks. … LB/FB Simon Hicks, a 5-11, 210-pound junior, leads Fyffe with 69 total tackles with 12 TFL and 5 sacks. He has 45 solo stops. … Gipson, another linebacker, has 64.5 tackles with 6 TFL. … DL/OL Tucker Wilks (6-0, 230) has 62 total tackles, 44 solo, with 10 TFL and 9 sacks. … LB/RB Anthony Mill (5-8, 155) has 6 sacks with 54.5 total stops.
The skinny: Fyffe beat Pisgah 56-42 in a Region 7 matchup on Oct. 20. … Fyffe holds a 19-14-1 advantage all-time against the Eagles with five straight wins, including a 41-14 semifinal playoff rematch win last season. … Pisgah’s last win was 30-13 in 2003. … Pisgah coach Luke Pruitt is the son of longtime Alabama high school coach Dale Pruitt (312-157 in 41 years coaching in Alabama and Tennessee) and the brother of former University of Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt. … Pisgah has never won a state championship in football, falling 27-7 to Clay County at Legion Field in Birmingham in 2000. … Pisgah is 24-25 in the state playoffs, 1-2 in the semifinals, 4-1 in the quarterfinals. … The Eagles have won 10 region titles, the last coming in 2021. … Pisgah was ranked fifth in the final ASWA Top 10. … Defending state champion Fyffe has won 6 AHSAA state titles, all since 20014 under Benefield with three straight in 2018, ‘19 and ‘20. The first two titles for the Red Devils came in 2014 and 2016. … Fyffe has won eight straight region titles and 27 overall. … Benefield’s 349 victories rank third all-time for AHSAA coaches, behind UMS-Wright coach Terry Curtis (354) and Central-Clay County’s Danny Horn (351). This season, he surpassed Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson, who retired after the 2020 season as the AHSAA’s leader with 346 wins. … The Red Devils have outscored their opponents 220-34 in the first period this season, 174-34 in the second, 120-43 in the third and 105-35 in the fourth quarter. … Fyffe is ranked second in the ASWA poll after starting the year at No. 1, falling to fourth in Week 2 after its season-opening 17-6 loss to 3A semifinalist Geraldine. The Red Devils climbed to second in Week 10.
CLASS 1A
ELBA (13-0) AT LEROY (12-0)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Bobby Farish Field at Palmer Stadium, Leroy
Path to the semifinals: Elba – Def. University Charter School 70-8, Millry 47-28, Maplesville 49-14; Leroy – Def. Calhoun 40-7, Georgiana 27-13, Brantley 40-18.
Coaches: Elba – Marc Sieving (40-7 in four years); Leroy – Chan Lowe (8-0 in relief of Jason Massey, who was deployed with his National Guard unit following the Bears’ 4-0 start. Massey is 97-52 in 12 years, 87-41 in 10 years at Leroy).
Key players: Elba – Alvin Henderson set an AHSAA single-season touchdown record in the quarterfinals. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior scored six TDs in the 49-14 win over Maplesville and now has 58 on the year (the team has 73 rushing TDs). Henderson, a 4-star recruit according to 247sports, has run for 3,203 yards – 16.5 yards per carry and 246.4 yards per game. His season-long run was 97 yards. Henderson has caught 5 passes for 124 yards and 1 TD. … Fellow junior Cayden Adkins has 946 yards in 11 games, averaging 13.7 yards per touch. … Quarterback Brayden Johnson, a 6-1, 240-pound senior, isn’t called upon to throw the ball often – only 28 times all season – but he’s completed 22 of them for 552 yards. The 25.1 yards per completion includes 4 for touchdowns. He has been intercepted once. … Colin Arnold’s 6 catches, for 123 yards, are tops for the Tigers. … Adkins leads Elba with 101 total tackles from his linebacker spot. He has 35 tackles for loss with 5 sacks, also tops on the team with senior DL Kaleb Mitchell, and 11 quarterback hurries. … Senior DB Cameron Gray has 6 interceptions and Cole Gray has 4. Leroy – Senior Brayden Huebner completed 11-of-16 passes for 154 yards and a pair of TDs in the quarterfinal win and senior Malik Howell ran 22 times for 140 yards and 2 TDs. … Huebner has completed 90-of-137 passes for 1,523 yards and 24 TDs with 3 interceptions. He has run for 437 yards and 10 scores. … Howell is the leading rusher with 1,062 yards with 19 touchdowns. He also has 2 touchdowns on punt returns.… Senior Taylor Crumedy has caught 31 passes for 668 yards with 9 TDs. … Senior Damian Phillips has 19 receptions for 370 yards with 6 TDs and sophomore Jayden Scott has caught 17 for 301 with 7 TDs. … Sophomore linebacker Jakavien Collins leads Leroy with 98 total tackles, 74 solo with 9 TFL and 5 sacks. … Sophomore LB Sawyer Sullivan has 95 stops, 76 unassisted with 7 TFL and 3 sacks. … Sophomore DL Timothy Parnell has 23 TFL with 12 sacks with 1 safety. … DB Jason Byrd has 9 interceptions, a fumble recovery and 2 defensive TDs.
The skinny: Elba finished first in Region 2 for the third straight season. … The Tigers have won four state championships in the playoff era in 1989, 1992, 2011 and 2015 and were named champs three times, in 1951, ‘54 and ‘55. … Elba finished second in the state in 1985, 1986 and 2014. … The Tigers are 7-0 in the playoff semifinals. … Elba has been ranked No. 2 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association all season. … Elba is scoring 51.1 points a game this season – No. 1 in Class 1A and third in all classes – and allowing 14.5. … The Tigers are 10th in 1A in scoring defense. … Elba has outscored its opponents by 36.5 points per game, seventh-best in all of the AHSAA. … Elba has gained 5,502 yards on the ground, an astounding 14.1 yards per attempt, 423.2 yards per game. … The Bears are the defending Class 1A state champions after beating Pickens County 42-20. It was Leroy’s sixth title after wins in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. … Leroy has two runner-up finishes, in 2001 and 2017. … The Bears are 8-6 all-time in the semifinals. … Leroy has won 18 straight, including the 5 playoff wins a year ago, and has been ranked No. 1 by the ASWA all season. … Leroy is 2-0 all-time vs. Elba, with first-round playoff wins in 2008 (47-21) and 2017 (48-20). … This season’s 6-0 Region 1 championship is Leroy’s first since back-to-back titles in 2019-20. … Leroy is scoring 39 points a game while allowing 9.4 – 10th best in the state and third in 1A. … The Bears are running for 146 yards per game and throwing for 119.9 per outing, scoring 38 TDs on the ground and 25 through the air.
PICKENS COUNTY (10-3) AT COOSA CHRISTIAN (8-5)
Time/Location: 7 p.m. Friday, Phillip Ellen Stadium, Gadsden
Path to the semifinals: Pickens County – Def. Addison 32-20, Winterboro 32-29, Wadley 18-14; Coosa Christian – Def. Spring Garden 28-0, Lynn 28-6, Hackleburg 63-13.
Coaches: Pickens County – Michael Williams (63-22 in 6 years, all at Pickens County); Coosa Christian – Mark O’Bryant (41-39 in 7 years, 24-23 in 4 years at Coosa Christian).
Key players: Pickens County – Sophomore quarterback Michael Billups has completed 56-of-111 passes for 888 yards, 11 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. Billups also has 170 rushing yards with 4 TDs. … Senior Rozowicz Cunningham leads the Tornadoes with 588 yards on the ground on 71 carries with 6 TDs. … Senior Korbit Sommerville has 416 yards on 89 attempts with 7 TDs. He also has 11 catches for 128 yards with 2 touchdowns. … Caleb Hill, a junior, has 403 yards on 70 carries with 2 touchdowns. … Santonio Jones Jr. has caught 47 passes for 772 yards with 10 scores. He also leads the Tornadoes with 5 interceptions. … Kemaurion Plott has 13 receptions for 184 yards with 4 TDs. … Cunningham leads Pickens County with 131 total tackles, 59 solo, with 28 TFL. … Sommerville has 87 total stops, 39 solo, with 15 TFL. … Senior linebacker Devin Cohen has 3.5 sacks to lead the team. Coosa Christian – Junior QB JD Justus has thrown for 1,802 yards with 17 touchdown passes and run for 405 yards on 70 attempts with 14 TDs. … Junior RB Kannon Wilson leads the balanced running attack with 410 yards on 51 carries. … Junior TE Eli Motes has 41 catches for 500 yards and 8 TDs. … Junior RB/WR/LB Clete O’Bryant has 26 receptions for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 445 rushing yards on 50 carries with 5 TDs. … Senior Jadan Burns hit 50-of-52 extra points with one blocked. He hit 3-of-4 field goals and his miss was from 54 yards. … O’Bryant’s 102.5 tackles leads the Conquerors with 21 TFL and 5.5 sacks. He also has 7 QBH. … DE/LB Cade Mickler has 95.5 total stops with 17 TFL, 4 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. … Motes has 86.5 stops with 19 TFL and 7 QBH. … Senior DB Drake Dupree has 56 total stops and senior LB Dartavius Mackey has 54.5 tackles and 21 TFL. … Junior DB Dylan Edwards leads the team with 4 interceptions.
The skinny: Pickens County is 2-0 against Coosa Christian, including a 44-40 win last season in the semifinals. The Tornadoes beat Coosa 55-7 in the first round of the 2016 playoffs. … Pickens County won the Class 1A state title in 2013. The Tornadoes from Reform were named state champs in 1951, 1955, 1956 and 1958. … Pickens County was the 1A runner-up in 2022, losing to Leroy. … The Tornadoes were also second in the state playoffs in 2016, 2017 and 2020. … Pickens County is 5-7 in the semifinals. … Pickens County finished third in Region 5 this season with a 5-2 record, behind 7-0 Lynn and 6-1 South Lamar. … The Tornadoes scored 29.4 points a game – 18th in 1A – and surrendered 16.4. … The scoring defense average – 12th best in Class 1A – was inflated by a 52-8 loss to Class 3A county rival Gordo that finished 10-2 with a second-round playoff loss. … Pickens County converted 32 percent of its third-down attempts and allowed its opponents to convert 29 percent. … The Tornadoes made 52 percent of their fourth-down tries (16-of-31) and stopped their opponents 64 percent of the 39 times they tried. … Pickens County scored 6 defensive/special teams touchdowns. … The Tornadoes were tagged for 144 penalties (for 1,127 yards) to 90 for their opponents. … The Conquerors are ranked ninth by the ASWA. … Coosa Christian was forced to forfeit four games, including three of its seven shutouts, due to a violation of transfer rules. … Coosa shut out three consecutive opponents from Week 3 through Week 5 (all later forfeited) and blanked four straight to end the regular season and in the opening round of the playoffs. … Only a 26-0 loss to Geraldine to open the season marred the Conquerors’ on-field results. … The Conquerors also beat Heritage Academy (Miss.) via forfeit. … Coosa Christian has the No. 1 defense in the AHSAA, allowing 4.8 points per game. (AISA Class A champion Lowndes Academy gave up 3.9 points per outing.) … The Conquerors were second in scoring in 1A behind Elba, rolling up 43.1 points a game. … Coosa Christian is 6-6 in the AHSAA playoffs, earning its first victories last season in the run to the semifinals. … Coosa Christian beat Cedar Bluff 94-7 on Oct. 13, setting a school record for points scored in a game and largest margin of victory. … The Conquerors’ defense has scored 7 TDs and forced 64 turnovers. … Coosa Christian has blocked 6 field goal attempts and 4 punts.
Ben Thomas and Mike Perrin contributed to this report
Some information from the Alabama High School Football Historical Site included.