Hartselle 44, West Point 10: Quick Hits

— posted by Michael Cummings

Quick-hit recap: Class 5A No. 2 Hartselle used big plays in a big first half on its way to a dominant 44-10 victory over West Point in Region 6 play. Charlston Williams caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, Masio Stover had a 55-yard touchdown run and Dax Gillespie had a 42-yard interception return touchdown as the Tigers built a 41-0 lead in the second quarter.

Quickie stats: Stover, Hartselle: 2 rushes, 107 yards, 1 TD. Deacon Aldridge, Hartselle: 7 rushes, 76 yards; 6-for-12 passing, 114 yards, 2 TDs.

Quotable: “After two big games, we were hoping that we could be mature enough to take care of business tonight. And the guys did that. I was really pleased with the way we took care of business.” — Hartselle coach Bob Godsey

Athens at Austin: Quick Hits

– posted by Michael Cummings

Quick-hit recap: Austin High used its playmakers effectively and efficiently Friday night in a dominant 42-14 win over Athens. The Black Bears piled up 518 yards of offense and held the Golden Eagles to only 154.\

Quickie stats: Seth Lynch, Austin: 9 receptions, 155 yards, 3 TDs; 13 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD.

Chris Sparkman, Austin: 23-for-32, 232 yards, 3 TDs.

Quotable: “We feel like if we can get our athletes the ball in space, we’ve got a good chance to score.”
– Austin coach Jeremy Perkins

Athens at Austin: Viewing Guide

— posted by Michael Cummings

Athens visits Austin tonight in a non-region matchup of Decatur-area powers.

Follow me after the jump for our viewing guide.

Decatur vs. Buckhorn: Quick Hits

— posted by Michael Cummings

Decatur High earned its seconds straight victory with a 31-13 decision over Buckhorn on Friday. Follow me after the jump for some quick hits from the Red Raiders’ win.

Hartselle vs. Hayden: Quick Hits

— posted by Michael Cummings

Quick hit recap: Hartselle kept both of its perfect records going Friday night with a dominant 57-0 victory on the road in Class 5A, Region 6 play. The Tigers stayed perfect on the season and shut out their third opponent in as many tries. This week’s victim was Hayden, which managed just 23 total yards, turned over the ball four times and didn’t cross midfield until late in the fourth quarter. Follow me past the jump for some quick-hits stats.

Hartselle vs. Hayden: Viewing Guide

— posted by Michael Cummings

Hartselle visits Hayden tonight for a Class 5A, Region 6 game. Here are a few things to watch for if you’re making the trip to Blount County.

Austin-Huffman moved to Thursday

– posted by Michael Cummings

At Austin practice today, head coach Jeremy Perkins told me the Black Bears’ game at Huffman, which was originally scheduled for Friday, will now be played Thursday. 

Kickoff is still scheduled for 7 p.m.

Austin defeated crosstown rival Decatur in both teams’ season openers this past Friday. It was the Black Bears’ first win over the Red Raiders since 2006.

Last season, Austin defeated Huffman 27-16 at Ogle Stadium for Perkins’ first victory with the program.

Priceville helmets pay tribute

– posted by Michael Cummings

At Priceville practice today, I got a closer look at the Bulldogs’ new Michigan-inspired helmets. And I now have a new appreciation for them.

In the middle of each helmet, above the earholes, there’s a circle with two sets of initials separated by a line: DD/WS. Those initials stand for Danielle Downs and Will Stevens, two Priceville grads who died in the April 27 tornadoes.

First-year Bulldogs coach Dirk Strunk, who tragically lost his daughter Katie in the 2007 Enterprise tornado, said the team is proud to honor Downs and Stevens.

“It’s one of those things where we want to do something special for them and their families,” said Strunk.

Priceville beat West Morgan last Thursday in its season opener. It was the program’s first win since Aug. 28, 2009, against Falkville.

The Bulldogs open Class 4A, Region 8 play Friday at Central-Florence.

Kneejerk reactions: Hartselle-Athens

— posted by Michael Cummings

Hartselle dominated Athens in a 23-0 victory Friday night at Golden Eagle Stadium, and there’s plenty to talk about. Follow me past the jump for a few kneejerk reactions to what was an intriguing game.

Quick hits: Hartselle 23, Athens 0

— posted by Michael Cummings

Hartselle 23, Athens 0

Quick-hit recap: Hartselle made a smooth transition to a new starting backfield with 268 rushing yards in a dominant shutout win at Athens. A year after all-state quarterback Will Lang and all-state running back Malcolm Fossett led the Tigers to the Class 5A semifinals, new starting quarterback Deacon Aldridge and new starting running back Blake Slayton both rushed for more than 100 yards to keep up the winning. The defense pitched a nearly perfect game, limiting Athens and its own new-look backfield to 27 rushing yards.

Statistical quick hits: Aldridge rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He used his athletic ability to extend plays and make defenders miss on quarterback options. He scored Hartselle’s first touchdown on a 37-yard run on fourth-and-10 late in the first half.

Slayton rushed 11 times for 113 yards. His longest carry went for 47 yards late in the second half as Hartselle’s experienced offensive line wore down Athens.

Quotable: “It’s like coach (Bob Godsey) said at halftime. ‘That was a pretty good first half, but it’s got to be better. You’ve got to get better every play.’ And we did. We got better every play.”
— Hartselle senior center Will Swann. The Tigers led 10-0 at halftime.