Williamson’s Ellis McGaskin fights off a Vigor defender in the first half Friday night at Williamson. The No. 2 Lions knocked off the No. 1 Wolves 22-14 in overtime. (Mike Kittrell/Call News)
By ARTHUR L. MACK
MOBILE — Todrick Withers’ 1-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted No. 2 Williamson to a 22-14 overtime win over visiting, No. 1 Vigor Friday night.
In overtime, Notre Dame commit Ellis McGaskin’s 9-yard run set up Withers’ game-winning score, followed by a successful two-point conversion. On the Wolves’ possession, Sammy Dunn’s fourth-down pass was stopped short of the goal line as the Lions’ sideline erupted in celebration.
“Once we went into overtime, I asked my kids what they wanted to do and they said, ‘Coach, we’re built for this,’” Lions coach Antonio Coleman said. “They were built for this this summer. We won this game in the summer.”
Alvin Dinkins was 8-of-19 passing for 65 yards and Jaylen Scott returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a score and intercepted two Dunn passes before leaving the game with an apparent shoulder injury.
Jamarcus Lett added a 31-yard touchdown run to tie the game with 6:31 left in regulation to send it into overtime and made several major stops on defense for Williamson (8-0, 6-0 5A Region 1).
“This team right here, and especially Jamarcus Lett, is an example of what we did all offseason,” Coleman said. “Jamarcus had a great defensive game and his touchdown was big. If he was one inch taller, he would be even better than McGaskin. Let’s just tell it like it is — I’ve got two of the best linebackers in the state.”
Dunn was 18 of 30 for 138 yards and a touchdown. Issac McNeal scored on a 9-yard touchdown run for Vigor (7-1, 5-1).
Leroy 56,
Fruitdale 0
The No. 3-ranked 1A Bears picked up the program’s 600th victory in a rout of the Pirates.
Tim Parnell had a 40-yard pick-six, Sawyer Sullivan completed 3 of 5 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, a 29-yarder to Joshua Reed and a 42-yarder to Cory Yelder, both in the first quarter.
Tristin Feaster scored the first touchdown on a 4-yard run, Keegan Giles had an 18-yard touchdown run, Ayden Tolbert had TD runs of 29 and 19 yards and Bryssen Tarlton had a 67-yard scoring run. Leroy (9-0, 6-0 1A Region 1) allowed just 68 yards of total offense.
“I was very proud of the way our kids played tonight,” Bears coach Chan Lowe said. “It’s great to have the 600th win in program history. Hats off to Coach Blackman, Coach Phelps, Coach Powell, Coach Massey, players and all the guys that were a part of it before us. It’s a great feeling to be one of the 48 teams with 600 wins in this state.”
Theodore 20,
Gulf Shores 14
THEODORE — The Bobcats led 20-0 in the first half, then held off the Dolphins with interceptions by Caleb Rowser and Jermaine Bush in the fourth quarter.
Theodore (6-2, 6-0 Region 1), which visits No. 2 Saraland in a game for the region crown next week, led 14-0 less than five minutes in when Kendrick Able scored on an 18-yard run and Crishon Overton threw a 40-yard scoring pass to Demarcus Beckham .
In the second quarter, Overton raced 64 yards around left end for a 20-0 lead.
Judson Harris connected with Carter Davis for a 21-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a 2-yard TD to Nicholas Hampton with 11:54 to go.
McGill-Toolen 41,
St. Paul’s 17
Ladarien Miller ran for 123 yards on 29 carries and four touchdowns to lead the Yellow Jackets’ romp.
Miller scored on runs of 3 and 25 yards and a pair of 1-yard scores for McGill-Toolen (4-4, 3-3 6A Region 1).
“Ladarien was huge for us tonight,” Jackets coach David Faulkner said. “If you want to win big-time football games, you have to be physical. I think we were able to accomplish that tonight.”
Blane Barre added a 66-yard touchdown run on the way to 144 yards on 12 carries and also connected with Barrett Porter for a 65-yard score for a 27-17 halftime lead.
Hayden Fincher tossed a pair of first-half touchdown passes for the Saints, a 20-yarder to Parker Davis and a 10-yarder to Anthony Frasier.
Clarke Co. 36,
St. Luke’s 14
GROVE HILL — The Bulldogs overcame five turnovers to win their 27thstraight region game.
Peebo Pugh hit Jayvion James for a 29-yard TD pass, Trey Hammond had TD runs of 1 yard and 6 yards, Martez Owens scored from 20 yards out and Hayden Dotson capped the scoring with a short run in the fourth quarter for Clarke County (6-2, 5-0 2A Region 1).
(Robert Ladnier, John Vella, Logan Gatlin and Hannah Slayton contributed to this roundup.)
