There are three certainties in life: Death, taxes and a championship Fyffe football team in December.

That last one is a near certainty, you must admit. The second-ranked Red Devils ground their way to yet another title in a 43-24 victory over No. 3 Reeltown in Friday’s Super 7 game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Fyffe (14-1) has won consecutive AHSAA titles, both in Class 2A, and has won seven titles in program history – all under coach Paul Benefield.

“I just want to give God all the glory for our season,” Benefield said after the win. “He has blessed this team. We lost the first game, but we went to work. These are dogs right here, I can tell you that. They are the reason we are here. I am really proud, a really proud coach tonight.”

The Red Devils received the opening kickoff and running back Logan Anderson broke loose for a 77-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. He would score two plays later on an 8-yard run to give Fyffe an early 7-0 lead over Reeltown.

Reeltown’s Tae Martin reeled off a 47-yard rushing score on the ensuing possession, but Fyffe’s Ryder Gipson responded with a 65-yard scoring run – set up by an Anderson block – on the first play of the Red Devils’ second series, giving Fyffe a 14-6 lead midway through the opening quarter.

“It was great to block for a fellow teammate,” Anderson said. “He does it for me every play so I am glad he got in the end zone.”

The Rebels once more drove the length of the field and capped a 12-play, 68-yard drive on a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Arthur Woods III, cutting the Fyffe advantage to 14-12 late in the first quarter.

Anderson carried the load for the Red Devils on their third possession, toting the rock five times for 25 yards and ending the drive with a 7-yard touchdown to give Fyffe a 21-12 lead early in the second quarter. Reeltown turned the ball over on downs on its next series and Anderson increased the lead to 28-12 heading into the halftime break.

Fyffe gained 398 yards of total offense in the game, all on the ground.

“Our O-line coach made sure that we knew what we needed to do,” offensive lineman Tucker Wilks said. “Getting 400 yards a game means we are doing our job. He (Anderson) makes it easier.”

Although not a planned onsides kick, Fyffe recovered a fumble on the second-half kickoff and powered ahead on a 30-yard touchdown run from Gipson, who side-stepped a defender just outside the goal line. Anderson provided the two-point conversion for a 36-12 lead early in the second half.

Reeltown countered with a swift 5-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard scoring run from Traylen Roberts, trimming the deficit to 36-18 midway through the third quarter. Following two punts from Fyffe, and a turnover on downs by Reeltown, the Rebels pulled within two scores, 36-24, on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jake Hornsby to Martin with less than five minutes remaining.

Anderson sealed Fyffe’s seventh state title on the following possession, running seven straight times for 51 yards and capping the drive on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:10 left in the game.

“It means the world to me to get to play football,” he said. “Sometimes we throw the ball, sometimes we don’t. We can throw the ball, don’t underestimate us. But it just means everything to be able to play.”

Reeltown (13-1) drove inside Fyffe territory on its final possession, but Hunter Latham strip-sacked Hornsby and Holden Smith recovered for the Red Devils to tie a bow on another title run.

“I am so proud of our seniors, this has been a special group,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “They are great ambassadors for our school. They didn’t quit tonight and played until the last whistle. This is one of the goals, you always want to be in this position. I was proud of how they prepared coming off a big win like last week. I just want to commend them for the effort they put in to get ready for tonight.”

Reeltown won state titles in 1987, 2001 and 2009, was runner-up to Fyffe in 2019 and was also second in 2010, 2000, 1992, 1991 and 1984. The Rebels lost to Hazlewood in ‘91, ‘92 and 2000.

Star of the game: Anderson. The junior running back had 34 carries for 256 yards and four touchdowns and set the Fyffe single-season rushing record with 265 carries for 2,864 yards and 45 touchdowns. Additionally, Anderson had six tackles (1 for a loss) on defense.

“I have to give thanks to my O-line. I wouldn’t say I’m the best running back to come through Fyffe, I just have a good O-line.”

Did you know? Since winning its first state title in 2014, Fyffe has more championships than losses with a 123-6 record and seven state titles.

“I don’t understand that,” Benefield said. “About 10-15 years ago, we were struggling and we stumbled on something. The kids work hard in the weight room every day. They probably take for granted how special this really is, but someday they will realize how special this really is.”

By the numbers: 9, the average number of yards per play for the Fyffe offense. … 5, the number of fourth-down conversion attempts by Reeltown, which converted three. … 1, the number of pass attempts for Fyffe.

Stat sheet: Fyffe – Red Devils quarterback Blake Dobbins threw incomplete on his only pass attempt, but finished with 9 rushing yards on two carries while collecting three tackles on defense. Gipson had six rushing attempts for 134 yards and a pair of scores and led Fyffe with a game-high 11 tackles. Linebacker Simon Hicks had nine tackles (1 for a loss) and a pass breakup. Reeltown – Hornsby finished 17-of-22 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown and led the Rebels with nine tackles. Woods had 15 carries for 94 yards and a score, finishing with 2,244 yards and 33 touchdowns for the season, and Roberts ran 13 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Martin finished with seven carries for 57 yards and a score and five receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.