Weaver, AL – Bearcats manage Saks 41-24, achieving three wins, the most since 2018. Also, they win their the first win over a regional opponent from Calhoun County since 2018
Scoreboard
THURSDAY, Oct. 12
Handley 51, Talladega 13, FINAL
FRIDAY, Oct. 13
Leeds 48, Alexandria 14, FINAL
Central-Clay 48, Sylacauga 0, FINAL
Cherokee County 35, Fultondale 0, FINAL
Talladega County Central 23, Donoho 21, FINAL
Piedmont 56, Glencoe 12, FINAL
Hokes Bluff 35, Ohatchee 6, FINAL
Jacksonville 58, Munford 14, FINAL
Jax Christian 46, Cornerstone 7, FINAL
Springville 38, Lincoln 20, FINAL
Spring Garden 39, Pleasant Valley 14, FINAL
Isabella 29, Ranburne 25, FINAL
Wellborn 30. Randolph County 25, FINAL
Weaver 41, Saks 24, FINAL
Wadley 34. Victory Christian 0, FINAL
White Plains 41, Cleburne County 10, FINAL
Vincent 41. Woodland 7 FINAL
Open: Anniston, Oxford, Southside.
By Joe Medley
Weaver progress was like Kaden Gooden was hitting KeShawn Allen straight in the face to score an 84-yard touchdown on Friday.
Progress was like Harper Williams’ acrobatic touchdown catch, and Gage King gashing Saks for huge runs.
The score was winning 41-24 against an Calhoun County rival in Class 3A Region 4 game to keep fading hopes of making the playoffs alive in the middle of October.
It’s the right time for Weaver (3-4 3-4, 1 – 3) to start having conversations that aren’t being heard about Weaver football since the year 2018.
“It is crucial to score every victory,” first-year Weaver coach Ken Cofer said. “It isn’t important which team you play however, if it’s against a team like Saks and I’ve heard plenty about Saks and the problems, it will blow the minds of our players somewhat and give the team some confidence heading to Wellborn this week.”
The Bearcats will finish their region play against Wellborn next week and will play at home against Beulah October. 27. A 3-3 regional finish with help could see them into the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
The Weaver’s win on Friday gave the Bearcats over two wins an entire year for the very first time since. They also earned their first regional win over an opponent from Calhoun County rival since beating Pleasant Valley in the year 2018.
Weaver was also beaten in the previous six games it played against Saks and 10 times in the previous 11 games before Friday.
Both teams entered the game with coaches who were rookies and Saks (0-7 0, 0-5) has had it’s worst beginning since dropping the first nine games of 2004.
Coach of Saks Alphonso Freeney turned to works on behalf of NBA superstar Kevin Durrant.
“I always offer them a small extract from people like Kevin Durrant, or someone who has been successful, and these kinds of aspects,” Freeney said. “One one of the things I love concerning Kevin Durrant that people have said he’s a terrifying player. The reason he’s frightening isn’t due solely to the fact that he opens his mouth or talking. It’s because he’s quiet. He wakes up early, and then he heads to work.
“My message to them was, we’ve got to figure out how to get to work and face challenges, and when the it happens, stick together and fight on.”
Weaver faced adversity Friday and was able to roll downhill in its second drive, Weaver driving 60 yards in just six plays. Gooden completed the drive with a an 11-yard goal to score the touchdown.
Then came an 80-yard seven-play run that ended with Gooden’s 14-yard touchdown to Williams who swung a grab in the corner at the bottom of the goal line.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Harper,” Cofer said. “Everybody speaks about KeShawn however Harper Williams makes that touchdown catch in the end zone. He’s an athlete in track and basketball. athlete, who placed in the at the top of the three hurdles in the state. He’s an incredible athlete.”
Allen’s run to convert made it 15-0 at 5:52 in the second quarter. Gianluca Tores kicked an extra 21 yards field goal to make it 18-0 shortly before halftime.
Then came the Weaver’s test.
Jamorris Young’s touchdown of 13 yards catch to Lajuan Curry, and the conversion throw to Dorrian Walker cut Weaver’s lead by 18-8 with 5:19 left in the final quarter.
Weaver’s answer? Gooden hit a long ball from the home sideline to Allen and he hit Allen directly with an opponent on his back. Allen was able to break free of Curry and completed the 86-yard run.
In addition, a conversion pass to DeShawn Barney, then Weaver has a lead of 26-8.
“I made a request for a cash payment at Coach Cofer because I seen the DB was not able to protect him.” Gooden said.
Add Gooden’s 22 yard touchdown jog and an Torres extra point Then Weaver had a 33-8 lead at 3:01 in the third quarter.
There was more than one answer to a test. Young ran 16 yards to score an oblique touchdown, and then completed an interception passing for a touchdown to Mykese Gaffney to pull Saks close to of 33-16. There were 36.7 seconds remaining at the end of third quarter however, King scored a 23-yard touchdown on the run.
It all came down to one night’s effort for an application that taught how to win a second time.
“It is everything,” Allen said. “It’s an important step in order to be able to make the playoffs. It’s making everyone better, the entire team is getting better, and we’re excited to make it to the postseason.”
