Piedmont, AL – Recently announced Annapolis commitment Doss makes large plays to aid Anniston beat Piedmont in a rematch of the 2022 the classic
By Joe Medley
Gavin Doss’ commitment to play football for Navy is a sign that he will be sing “Anchors Aweigh” a lot in the next few years.
The saga of his ankles Thursday was the end of his huge week.
Doss scramble and throw into his own body as well as T.K. Downie’s equally unreliable finish to the play made the extra edge when Anniston defeated Piedmont 14-9 at the Field of Champions.
Doss scored the ball 12 times for the 117-yard and touchdown, and ran for an additional 64 yards. Anniston went from 4-2 to 4-2. In all, it was a first for Anniston coach Rico Jackson said, it was an officer-grade performance.
“He’s tough man simply strong,” first-year Anniston coach Rico Jackson said. “He’s level-headed. He doesn’t go too high or low. He’s always in the present moment.
“I am referring to you know, the Naval Academy got a good one.”
Doss announced his decision via social media on Tuesday. As the son of an Navy guy, the man decided to pursue Midshipmen life over the possibility of Troy or UAB.
“It was the environment,” he said. “When I was at Navy it was unlike any other college there. I visited the school and it felt like home, despite the fact that I’d never been to the school before.”
Doss stated that he views that the Navy as a possible career option however he’s not quite sure what kind of career it will be. Navy.
When he fell back on what was the winning play on Thursday the player was like a fighter pilot with bogeys all around him. A swarm of aggressive Piedmont players escaped and forced him to sprint forward and to his left.
The right-hander attempted to square his shoulders while moving, and then he passed onto the flat to left for Downie who shifted back to catch the ball. He evaded opponents and covered the last 15 yards on feet.
Add Caleb Wynn’s run to convert, and Anniston was leading 14-3 with 18.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
“It was a pure magic kind of play,” Doss said. “I dropped it with my left foot. I had a wide receiver on the field and he was able to make a solid play.”
Doss also ran a scramble of 13 yards and a an 25-yard touchdown pass for Downie to make way for Anniston’s third touchdown, a one-yard Jayden Lewis run that gave the team an 6-0 lead at 2:32 into the 2nd quarter.
Anniston’s touchdowns stood out in a rematch with the team’s greatest matches in 2022. In the same spot last year, Anniston held off Piedmont’s powerful fourth-quarter rally and won 30 to 28.
There has been a lot of change from last year. The quarterback and the receiver on Thursday’s crucial play did not play for Anniston one year ago. Downie was a player for Alexandria and Doss played for Saks under current coach Jonathan Miller.
“I’m extremely happy for his accomplishments,” Miller said. “He is an amazing child who has worked very to be able to reach the point where is now in his position.”
Anniston suffered a significant loss to graduation from a team that made it to in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Among them was Alabama offensive lineman Roq Montgomery, who was at the game on Thursday. Others Bulldogs have followed the path of their former Anniston head coach Rico White to Mae Jemison.
Piedmont dropped 15 players of last season’s Class 3A third-place finish, including the quarterback Jack Hayes, who rewrote the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s record book, which includes the career records for passing yards, yards total passing touchdowns, and total touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have had to deal with three surgical injuries in the first half of the season, including kick returner, running back, and receiver Rollie Pinto, who suffered an ACL tear that was not a result of contact in the loss last week to Ohatchee.
The challenges faced by Piedmont don’t end with graduation losses and injuries. The first half of their schedule featured the current 4A fourth place Cherokee County, 3A sixth-ranked Sylvania, Plainview, Ohatchee and Anniston.
“I’m saying to you, they’re the most 4-4 group within Alabama,” Jackson said. “They are tough and tough, man.”
Cole Wilson completed seven of 13 passes for 172 yards, which included successive huge passing for 172 yards to McClane Mohon late in the fourth period. The 39-yard touchdown was just ahead of their 36-yard touchdown that narrowed up the deficit to 14-9 with just 3:16 remaining.
Piedmont tried to close it to just a goal’s distance with two attempts at two-point conversion. Anniston received an interference penalty during the first attempt but the Bulldogs were able to stop Hayes Gunn on the second attempt.
Piedmont’s attempted onsides kick failed to go the required 10 yards.
Dontavious Jordan ran for 70 yards, while Gunn added 58 yards.
Chase Cardelli kicked a 35-yard field goal to pull Piedmont to within 3-3 at halftime, but failed to hit from 34 yards during the 3rd quarter.
“I’m proud of our children as well as our coaches” Miller said. “We were out there and played very tough. We were not very well-played at times, but we did play extremely hard.
“We got some chances. We were in the red zone during the first quarter and once more there during the third. In the third quarter in which we were forced to take the field goal but failed one, and during the first half, we failed to make a fourth and one. In a way, that was the game, in the moment.”
The scoreboard for Thursday
Anniston 14 Piedmont 9 FINAL
Cherokee County 56, Munford 10, FINAL
Jax State 35, Sam Houston State 28 Final (OT)
Anniston-Piedmont updates
The winner of the toss is Piedmont, and is able to defer. Anniston will be the first team to receive the kickoff.
FIRST QARTER
On fourth and goal at Piedmont’s 15 Demetrius Owen takes the Gavin Doss pass in the end zone and returns 100 yards to score a TD. The flag is on The Piedmont 20-yard line. If it is held, Piedmont will start on its 10.
Cole Wilson throws an 22-yard pass to Ish Bethel. However, Anniston takes the ball off and reclaims the ball at Piedmont’s 44.
SECOND QARTER
Bad handoff exchange as well Piedmont recuperates an Anniston fumble on Piedmont 48. Piedmont 48.
Anniston defense stop Piedmont with downs in Anniston 8. Anniston 8.
After a couple of great play by quarterback Gavin Doss, Jayden Lewis runs in for a 1-yard TD run. PAT no good. Anniston leads 6-0 after 2:32. Doss was able to scramble 13 yards and a 25-yard pass to TK Downie at Piedmont 5. Piedmont 5.
Cole Wilson had four passes completed 2 for 25 yards and set the stage for Chase Cardelli’s 35-yard field goal in 21.6 seconds. This brought Piedmont to within 3-3.
THIRD QARTER
Anniston’s offense is pushed from its 10-yard line to Piedmont’s 11, however a low snap on fourth down, and an incomplete pass completes an Bulldog stand.
Gavin Doss creates a stunning play in which he scurries to stay clear of three rushers He then throws the ball to Downie who performs spectacular actions of his own to escape opponents to score the 27-yard touchdown. Caleb Wynn’s conversion put Anniston ahead 14-3 in 18.9 seconds.
Fourth Quarter
Cole Wilson makes a connection on two consecutive big pass plays with McClane Mohon, with the final one being 36 yards for the TD. The two players connected with 39 yards before. Anniston requested DPI for the conversion attempt However, Anniston blocks William Gunn on the retry. Anniston leads 14-9 by 3:15.
Piedmont’s onsides kick doesn’t reach 10 yards. Anniston will take over from the Piedmont’s 41.
