Final: Hartselle 13, Vigor 3

Hartselle won its first state championship with a 13-3 victory over Vigor on Thursday night. Gavin Marsh kicked a pair of field goals, and Blake Slayton added a TD for good measure with a minute remaining.

Quarterback Deacon Aldridge was the game’s MVP after rushing for 67 and throwing for 25 more. He injured his foot on the Tigers’ second possession of the game but didn’t miss a snap.

Viewing guide: Hartselle (14-0) vs. Vigor (12-2)

The most important storyline you need to know for this one is that the winner is crowned the state’s best in Class 5A, but here are some other factors worth weighing for tonight’s 7 p.m. clash at Bryant-Denny:

• This game pits 5A’s best defenses, with Vigor allowing 7.4 points per game and Hartselle following at 9.7 a contest.
• Considering that, this one could be decided by special teams, and Hartselle has the edge there. Kicker Gavin Marsh has booted several clutch field goals this postseason, including the game-winner with four seconds left in a come-from-behind win against Center Point. He also kicked three last week in the Tigers’ semifinal win over Briarwood Christian.
• Vigor’s defense features three SEC commitments. The Wolves are led by Alabama commitment Darius Philon (6-foot-1, 282 pounds) and Arkansas commitment Jamichael Winston (6-5, 226) on the defensive line and Kentucky commitment Jacoby Glenn at cornerback. Vigor has recorded five shutouts and has allowed 33 points in four postseason games entering tonight.
• A win tonight would be Hartselle’s first state championship. The school played for state titles in 1980 and 1981 but lost both tries.

 

It’s championship week

Two area teams will play for football state championships later this week, and here are the stories you can expect to come from this Super (6) week:

Tuesday: Bob does the job — Despite an impressive 14-year career that includes more than 100 wins, nearly 20 playoff victories and a dozen winning seasons, Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey will coach in his first state championship game Thursday night against Vigor. 

For Wednesday: Hartselle heritage — Two current Hartselle High defensive linemen, Alec Durand and Blair Sittason, have fathers who were on the last Tigers team to play for a state championship in 1981. David Sittation and Russell Durand were both members of the 1981 squad that lost 39-20 to Eufala in the state championship game. David Sittason was a senior fullback and linebacker, while Russell Durand was a sophomore on the practice squad.

Don’t forget about the D – The Rattlers’ defense has been overshadowed by an offense that’s scoring nearly 45 points per game. Don’t forget about the D. 

For Thursday: Hartselle vs. Vigor, the game of the century. It’s not quite Alabama-LSU, but it does draw comparisons. Here’s hoping the team in crimson and white wins this time. 

1o Question’s with exchange student and Tanner kicker Marco Vassallo.

For Friday: Game coverage from Hartselle-Vigor, advance for Friday’s Tanner-Elba clash.

For Saturday: Game coverage from Tanner-Elba.

Also, check out my Sunday column on Hartselle at decaturdaily.com. Hang on, it’s gonna be a fun week.

Kneejerk reactions: Hartselle 16, Briarwood Christian 14

Hartselle's Tyler Phillips had two of Hartselle's four interceptions against Briarwood on Friday night. (Daily photo by Jeronimo Nisa)

Hartselle High is headed to next week’s Class 5A state championship game, and there are few teams that deserve the opportunity more than this team.

Read past the jump to know why …

Quick hits: Hartselle 16, Briarwood Christian 14

Quickie recap: Hartselle intercepted four passes, the last coming in the closing seconds that sealed a 16-14 victory over Briarwood Christian. The win puts Class 5A No. 2 Hartselle in the state championship game for the first time since 1981 and also scored redemption against Briarwood, which defeated Hartselle in last year’s semifinals.

Quickie stats: Tyler Phillips (Hartselle), 2 INT; Charlston Williams (Hartselle), one INT and onside kick recovery in the game’s final minutes; Ben Craft (Briarwood), 24-of-25 for 226 yards and two touchdowns — both went to Canon Smith; Deacon Aldridge (Hartselle), 7-of-15 for 89 yards and 78 yards rushing.

Quotable: “It feels kind of numb right now. I’m proud of our coaches and our guys and this community that has been behind us. This is what it’s supposed to be like. To do it by beating a top-notch class program, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of football. I’m just proud of our guys. They had a calm about them all week that they would not be denied, and they played that way.” — Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey

For Wednesday: Hartselle’s Will Swann

Hartselle High senior Will Swann hasn’t missed a snap in his three seasons as the team’s starting center. Wednesday’s print feature will highlight his valuable presence as the Tigers’ face of consistency.

Look for the story in tomorrow’s Decatur Daily or at www.decaturdaily.com.

Quick hits: Hartselle 17, Center Point 7

Quickie recap: Hartselle used two defensive stands inside the 10-yard line in the first half in winning its second straight road game in the Birmingham area and 13th win of the season, which is a school record.  The win, which puts Hartselle (13-0) into the semifinals against Briarwood Christian, was the second straight against a Birmingham-area school after recent postseason struggles against teams from the Jefferson County region. The Tigers lost at McAdory in the 2009 quarterfinals, at Fairfield in 2004 and ended the 2003 season in the first round at Gardendale.

Quickie stats: Blake Slayton (Hartselle), 46 rushing yards and one TD, 59 receiving yards; Deacon Aldridge (Hartselle), 8-of-13 for 112 yards; Dax Gillespie (Hartselle) INT.

Quotable: “Maybe we’ll get a little respect out of those Birmingham papers now. They seem to think we can’t do it down here. That’s two in a row.” — Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey

Viewing guides: Hartselle, Tanner

Here are a few storylines for Friday night’s third-round games involving local teams:

The obvious test for both teams Friday night is handling a couple of road tests. Hartselle (12-0) heads to Center Point (11-1), while 2A Tanner (12-0) plays at Woodland (8-4). For Hartselle, it’s the second tough away game in as many weeks, as the Tigers rallied from an early 14-point deficit last week at Pinson Valley.

Both remaining teams win in contrasting styles. Tanner averages nearly 50 points per game, while Hartselle allows opponents fewer than 10. The Rattlers scored 39 last week in a win over Reeltown, last year’ runner-up, and have scored 30 or more points in 11 of 12 games this year. Hartselle’s defense will be tested once again Friday night, as Center Point has set a school record for points in a season.

The stakes are obvious — win and advance. A couple of wins by area teams could produce a pair of semifinal rematches. Assuming Briarwood beats Muscle Shoals, a win would pit Hartselle against Briarwood in a rematch from last year’s 5A semifinals, which Briarwood won in overtime by a field goal. If Tanner beats Woodland and Fultondale beats Lineville, the Rattlers would be paired with its Week 2 opponent. Tanner beat Region 7 foe Fultondale 24-7 in the second week of the season.

Reactions: Hartselle 22, Pinson Valley 21

Wow. Whatta game.

Gavin Marsh’s 19-yard field goal with four seconds remaining lifted Hartselle to a 22-21 win over Pinson Valley on Friday night, calming the fast-beating hearts of Tigers fans.

Follow me after the jump for more thoughts.

He has found his way

Hartselle QB Deacon Aldridge (Daily photo by Brennen Smith)

Today’s print feature profiles Hartselle High quarterback Deacon Aldridge and his rise as one of the Tigers’ offensive leaders.

Here are the stats for the No. 2 Tigers’ first-year starting quarterback:

Passing

Att.     Comp.   Yards     Pct.     TD       Int
156         94               1,255         60          12          4

Rushing

Att.     Yards     Avg.     TD
102         759             7.4          10

Click here for the full story.