Calhoun County, AL – Bethel is the leader as Piedmont puts on the’most full game this season in rolling past J.B. Pennington. Oxford beats injuries, illness to beat Athens. Randolph County dominates second half to defeat W.S. Neal and Handley takes Goss up to 68-points in the match against St. Michael.
Area scoreboard
THURSDAY, Nov. 9
CLASS 5A
Boaz 10, Southside 7
CLASS 4A
Cherokee County 56, Central Florence 28
1A CLASS
Wadley 62, Cedar Bluff 10
FRIDAY, Nov. 10
CLASS 6A
Oxford 45, Athens 27, FINAL
CLASS 5A
UMS Wright 7, Central-Clay 0, FINAL
CLASS 4A
Handley 68, St. Michael 38, FINAL
Jacksonville 35, Bayside Academy 7, FINAL
T.R. Miller T.R. Miller Anniston 16 FINAL
Jackson 44 Cleburne County 7, FINAL
CLASS 3A
Flomaton 34 Wellborn 0. FINAL
Randolph County 48, W.S. Neal 36 FINAL
Piedmont 44, J.B. Pennington 14, FINAL
Madison Academy 57, Hokes Bluff 2, FINAL
CLASS 2A
Pisgah 44 Pleasant Valley 20, FINAL
1A CLASS
Coosa Christian 28, Spring Garden 0, FINAL
Valley Head 30, Ragland 14, FINAL
Second-round pairings
FRIDAY, Nov. 17
CLASS 6A
Oxford and A.H. Parker
CLASS 4A
Haleyville in Cherokee County
Jacksonville at Bibb County
Handley in Booker T. Washington
CLASS 3A
Randolph County at St. James
Lauderdale County at Piedmont
BLOUNTSVILLE – Ishmael Bethel was the first to get Piedmont off to a flying start with a 90-yard return from the kickoff that kicked off in the first half for an unanswered touchdown. The Bulldogs beat J.B. Pennington 44-14 on the road in the first round of playoff match.
Piedmont (5-6) the winner in four of their previous six games, made it into the second round. They will host Lauderdale County in the second round on Nov. 17.
The Bulldogs have won every one in their championship for the state from 2009, and have made it to the Class 3A semifinals the past eight times, had their playoff opener won for the 17th time in consecutive years.
“Our youngsters were eager to go out,” first-year Piedmont coach Jonathan Miller said. “A majority of the players that are part of this group have experience playing in the playoffs and that was evident.
“I believed we played our most complete game of the season.”
Bethel also took a 68-yard touchdown catch to Cole Wilson and intercepted three passes. Trevor Pike caught three passes for the 94 yards and scored the score of a touchdown.
Wilson completed the ball on eight of 13 occasions for 204 yards, and two touchdowns.
Hayes Gunn accounted for 139 of Piedmont’s 216 yards of rushing and scored with runs of four, one and 35 yards to help Piedmont gain a lead of 37-0.
Oxford 45, ATHENS 27Standouts Keenan Britt as well as Jayden Lewis were two of “several” players who were ruled out due to illness or injury Coach in third year Sam Adams said, but Oxford (9-2) has rolled through the first round of playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets earned a second-round game on Nov. 17 against A.H. Parker.
“Great team victory to us!” Adams said. “We began the game with a number of new players on the field due to injury or illness and saw a number of new players join us.”
Mason Mims completed 22 of 28 passes for 4 touchdowns and 267 yards. Nick Richardson caught a team-high 12 passes for 123 yards and two scores and Camare Hampton caught nine passes with 98 yards, two scores and two touchdowns.
Jaydon Thomas ran for 105 yards, scoring a touchdown.
Judd Syer led Oxford with nine tackles. Brenden Slaughter had eight. Patrick Watkins had a sack and Dashaun Trammel had an interception.
RANDOLPH COUNTY 48 W.S. NEAL 36: With a deficit of 24-7 at the end of one quarter and at halftime 36-21, Randolph County scored the game’s final 27 points to win the game.
Tigers (10-1) Tigers (10-1) have earned their first victory in the playoffs since reaching the 2019 quarterfinals as well as an opportunity to play in the second round against the reigning Class 3A state champion St. James on November. 17.
Randolph County gained 368 of its total 415 yards through the ground.
Avion Willis ran for 154 yards before passing for 47 yards. Wendell Winston added 101 yards in rushing, and scored two touchdowns.
Handley 38, ST. MICHAEL 38: E.J. Goss carried for three26 yards, with 5 touchdowns in addition, Handley (10-1) advance to take on Booker T. Washington on the road on Nov. 17.
Goss’s touchdown-runs included 41, four, 72, 27, and 70 yards.Nemo Askew ran for three touchdowns and 102 yards covering 16 10 yards, 62 and 16 yards. Cannon Kyles had a 7-yard touchdown run. He also tossing two touchdown passes of three yards each to Amajah Williams, and 10 yards for Jamarcus Daniel.
