Ramsay’s defense gets plenty of attention, thanks to three shutouts this season and allowing more than 14 points just two times.

In Friday’s Class 5A semifinal against Guntersville at Legion Field in Birmingham, the Rams offense delivered one of its best performances of the season in a 35-14 victory.

Quarterback Kameron Keenan threw for more than 400 yards, Tremell Washington and Kristian Stinson had more than 100 yards receiving apiece, and Ashton Ashford ran for more than 100 yards. Kennan connected with Washington for three touchdown passes.

“We wanted to set the tone for the game, and we were able to do that on the first drive,” said Ramsay coach Ronnie Jackson, referring to the Rams needing just four plays to score on Keenan’s 47-yard TD pass to Washington. “Washington has been our guy throughout the playoffs. He’s tough to touch, much less tackle. It’s our job to get the ball to him.”

The victory sends Ramsay (12-2), the defending 5A champ, into the Super 7 for the second straight season. The Rams play Gulf Shores in Thursday’s 5A title game, set for Friday at 7 p.m., at Bryant-Jordan Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Ramsay is also chasing a third state title since 2016.

RELATED: See complete 2023 Super 7 pairings

RELATED: Gulf Shores advances to 5A title game for first time

Top play: Ramsay scored on a hook-and-lateral just before halftime. Keenan passed to Stinson, who lateraled the ball to Washington at the 5. Washington ran into the end zone to build a 28-7 halftime lead

“We practice and practice it, but it didn’t look good in practice. But we were able to execute in in the game tonight,” Keenan said.

Stat sheet: Kennan completed 26-of-32 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns. Washington caught 11 passes for 151 yards, with TD catches of 47, 5 and 57 yards. Ashford ran 18 times for 102 yards and TD runs of 1 and 4 yards. Stinson caught six passes for 135 yards. … Guntersville’s Eli Morrison completed 12-of-34 passes for 154 yards and a 44-yard TD pass to Trayvon Avery. Avery caught five passes for 102 yards, and Enelson Delva scored on a 1-yard run for the Wildcats (12-2).

Key stat: Ramsay allowed only 45 yards of total offense in the second half.

By the numbers: 8, consecutive wins for Ramsay. … 520, total yards for Ramsay – 114 rushing and 406 passing. … 215, total yards for Guntrsville – 154 passing and 61 rushing.

Coachspeak: “I have to give Ramsay credit on defense. We jsut couldn’t et our offense on track. Ramsay is a very good team.” – Guntersville coach Lance Reese

“Defense played a great game.” – Jackson

Quotable: “It was a great game for us. We came out and played Ramsay football from the opening drive. Coach was hesitant about the hook-and-lateral play because we didn’t run it good at practice. We wanted to run it, and Coach called it, and we were able to execute it.” –Washington

“We just had to handle business.” – Keenan

What’s next?: Ramsay advances to Thursday’s 5A title game in Tuscaloosa against Gulf Shores.