Alabama commit QB Reese and his Ramsay football team started slow in Thursday’s Class 5A title game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Gulf Shores scored three first-quarter touchdowns and led 21-0.

That’s when Reese’s coaches showed him a message that fueled his play for the remainder of the game.

“I started slowly in the first half,” he said. “My coaches showed me a message that said, ‘QB has clocked out. He can’t play at Alabama.’ I had to come out and show what I could do.”

Reese’s team didn’t win, falling 21-14 to the Dolphins.

However, it wasn’t because Reese “clocked out.”

In fact, the senior clocked in to the tune of nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble for the Rams as they rallied to within a TD of unbeaten Gulf Shores.

“These boys are my brothers,” Reese said. “I’m so thankful for them. I’m thankful for my coaches for developing me, for my dad and my family. I had to give it my all.”

Reese finished his senior season with 176 total tackles, 27 TFL, four sacks, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles. He also got to play the final game of his Ramsay high school career at his future college home.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “There is nothing like playing in this stadium. I’m just thankful to have the opportunity. It’s a true blessing. I know everyone doesn’t get the opportunity to play on the field at any level. I’m blessed to get to play here in high school and in college.”

The 6-foot, 205-pound Reese committed to Alabama in September.

As a junior a year ago, Reese helped the Rams to the Class 5A state championship. He finished the season with a team-best 155 tackles, including 24 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and four interceptions. He was selected Class 6A first team all-state.

Reese is the son of former four-year letterman Auburn linebacker Quinton Reese, but he said Alabama was the right school for him.

“The coaches, the atmosphere, they had everything I wanted for my major,” he said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

Reese said Alabama coaches have told him he would play inside linebacker for the Tide.

What can fans expect from him once Bryant-Denny is his homefield full-time?

“A fill-time athlete who gives his all in practice every day and always wants to win,” he said.