Florala took an advantage of four points during the opening quarter and didn’t take a backseat to a win of 48-13 at Red Level in the season opener for both teams on Friday.
“I am very happy for these students and their coaches. We’re a very tough group of athletes and we’ve had a very long five weeks of practicing with no week zero game. They were all set to come out and play. There were times when we weren’t as sharp but we were sharp at other times. We must build depth before we can working for another regional contest against Georgiana. The players are a family that can rely on one another,” FHS Head Coach Jordan Cantrell said.
“Tonight was not the way we envisioned. We fell behind early and made numerous mistakes, myself included. We are a young football team, and we were a bit shocked. It was huge to play our first game of the region in our first game of the season. I advised them to show up and perform better than they did in the opening half. The 11 players we have don’t get to adjust and play every minute on defense, offense, as well as special team. The wheels slid off the wagon early and we were unable to get to grips with it. I’m very proud of my team for their hard work and will be prepared next week for our trip on a trip for a trip to Pleasant Home,” RLS Head Coach Kenny Skipper said.
Rayshon Coleman took the kickoff to for 75 yards and the home. The kick was not successful since Florala (1-0, 1-1 1A Region 2) gained a 6-0 lead within 10 seconds of the game. They made Red Level (0-1, 0-1) to a three-and-out, and forced players back to the field. After the penalty, Coleman connected with Elijah McMeans for the 53 yard touchdown. Coleman added a two-point conversion to make the score 14-0 with 9:35 left to start the first quarter.
The Tigers started their second drive at their own 47-yard line and scored a first down by running 37 yards from Micah Wright. The Wildcats were able to get back on track when Christian Greasham recovered a fumble during the next play. Coleman was able to run 7 yards on the first down, but was penalized with the holding penalty. McMeans was able to find an opening to score from 73 yards away when Greasham scored a PAT to take a lead of 21-0.
Red Level was unable to move the ball and the drive came to an end with an intercept from Noah Bryan. Coleman started his next run with a 17-yard sprint then a 13-yard sprint from McMeans. A couple of minutes after, Devan Parker picked off the pass. After a roughing of the passer penalty on the third up, Dawson Cox forced a ball fumble, and handed Florala the ball in Red Zone. McMeans lost five yards on the first down but Coleman scored a 24 yard touchdown running for a 27-0 lead at the close in the opening quarter.
The Tigers were forced to take another punt. McMeans began on the following drive by running a 14 yard run for a first-down. Coleman followed with an impressive 26-yard run before throwing the ball for 30 yards to McMeans. Kaden Cantrell completed the scoring by scoring a touchdown of one yard. The two-point conversion provided the Wildcats the lead of 35-0 at 8:39 remaining until halftime. Kolton Barlow made a pass of 8 yards to Parker on the second down of the following possession before the drive stopped. Cantrell began the next sequence by running 23 yards. Coleman extended his lead up to 42-0, with an unorthodox strike of 26 yards to Greasham prior to the time that the first half came to an end.
Red Level continued to struggle offensively during the second period. Florala required just three plays on its first game, but it scored another touchdown and increased the lead to 48-0. Shambrian Mayes scored an impressive 27-yard kickoff return, which led to turning over at the conclusion three quarters.
With the reserve players on the field The Tigers took back possession with 10:17 remaining. Micah Wright had two first-down runs of 14 and 12 yards. Barlow scored with an 18-yard touchdown run while Ben Carroll brought the score to 48-7 when he added the kickoff. The Wildcats lost their ball on the next drive, which led to for the last score of the game. After Mayes gained 10 yards, Barlow found the end zone with a yard.
Both teams will resume regional play on Friday, Sept. 8 as Florala will host Georgiana (1-1 1, one goal) in the home opener. Red Level travels to Pleasant Home (1-0).
The article Florala starts the season with regional win in Red Level, 48-13 was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
