Tyler Flakes, Auburn outlast Fairhope in Class 7A playoffs
Tyler Flakes ran for 120 yards and 3 TDs as No. 4 Auburn pulled away to beat No. 8 Fairhope 35-17 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs on Friday.
The Tigers (10-1) will host Region 3 rival Dothan in the quarterfinals next week. The Wolves defeated Foley 42-28 on Friday night.
Fairhope finished its season at 8-3.
Flakes finished with 16 carries on the night.
Ean Nation had 5 receptions for 78 yards and a TD and tied the school record for receptions in a season with 59. Logan Blowmeyer had 4 receptions for 62 yards.
The defense was led by Coleman Granberry, Klark Cleveland and Mark Toland.
Ryan McNeill opened the scoring for Fairhope with a 41-yard FG, but the Tigers scored the next 3 TDs for a 21-3 lead.
The Pirates rallied to within 21-17 on a pair of Caden Creel TD passes to Ben Moseley — the first for 11 yards and the second for 4 yards. However, Auburn scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to secure the win.
Creel was 22-of-30 for 133 yards and the 2 TDs. He also ran for 127 yards on 17 carries. Preston Godfrey caught 8 passes for 55 yards. Ben Moseley caught 8 passes for 38 yards and the two TDs.
Fairhope coach Tim Carter was ejected late in the game.