Spanish Fort blitzed Blount early, defeating the Leopards 44-0 Friday night in the Class 6A, Region 1 opener for both teams.

The Toros capitalized on two first-half turnovers by the Leopards, racing out to a 24-0 halftime lead.

The Leopards fumbled the opening kickoff, and the Toros covered it on the 10-yard line. Spanish Fort punched it in two plays later when Aaden Shamburger hit Chandler Wilson with a 5-yard TD pass.

After Drew Williamson added a 5-yard score to put the Toros up 17-0, the Leopards fumbled the kickoff. Spanish Fort needed only four plays to score again with Sawyer Wilson scoring from three yards out for a 24-0 lead.

“Offensively, we were very efficient tonight,” Spanish Fort coach Chase Smith said. “It was a great momentum deal early on for us, getting the turnovers and field position and turning it into points.”

The Leopard’s best scoring threat came midway through the second quarter. Blount drove 70 yards, but the drive stalled on the Toro 5-yard line on fourth-and-goal.

“That was one of our best drives of the season,” Blount coach Ray Nelson said. “We played with tempo, got into rhythm, but were unable to capitalize and score.”

The Toros started in Leopard territory five of their six offensive drives in the first half.

“Field position was key for us tonight,” Smith said. “Defense held them for negative plays and allowed us to set up in great positions.”

Alabama commit Sterling Dixon picked up two sacks for the Toros defense and finished with double digit tackles.

“Our job as a defense was just to execute better as a whole unit,” he said. “I think we accomplished that tonight.”

Star of the game: Collectively, it was the Toro defense, pitching the shut out and forcing three turnovers. That included a pick-6 by Aarion Riley in the fourth quarter. Bishop Burkhalter led the Toros with 11 tackles.

“We really did a great job tonight on our individual assignments and keys, it was special getting the shut out,” said Burkhalter.

Play of the game: Sawyer Wilson’s seven-yard touchdown run on the Toros opening drive of the second half capped off a four-play 58-yard drive.

Stat sheet: Blount’s rushing attack was led by Deshune Williams’ 98 yards on 19 carries. Sawyer Wilson rushed for a pair of scores (3 and 7 yards) and finished with 71 yards rushing on 16 carries. Drew Williamson added 66 yards and 8 carries for Spanish Fort. Justin Bonner caught four passes for 66 yards for the Toros.

By the numbers: (5) consecutive victories for the Toros over Blount. (3) straight seasons the Leopards have started 0-2. (4) rushing touchdowns by the Toro offense, a pair by Williamson and Wilson.

Did you know? Blount has never defeated the Toros on the Hill. The Leopards dropped to 0-7 at Spanish Fort.

Coachspeak: ”The thing was we were coming off a tough loss last week. Tonight was opening up region play. We just challenged the guys tonight to be consistent every snap every play. We wanted to come out and work and focus on ourselves.” — Smith.

“We have to play four quarters. We had moments tonight, but overall we need to put it all together and it starts with me as the coach.” — Nelson.

They said it: “I felt like after last week’s tough loss, we got down on ourselves a little. Tonight was a big momentum boost for us, trusting each other and coming together.” — Sawyer Wilson.

Next week: Spanish Fort (1-1,1-0) plays at Baldwin County next week, while Blount (0-2,0-1) hosts Robertsdale.