Calhoun C0unty, AL – Alexandria tops No. 8 Hokes Bluff for third consecutive victory. Oxford blanks Pell City while improving to 7-0. Pleasant Valley improves to 5-2. Strong finish propels Westbrook Christian past Ohatchee. Jacksonville, JCA, White Plains, Weaver victorious.
This week’s area scoreboard
THURSDAY, Oct. 3
Talladega 28, Munford 14, FINAL
Donoho 33, Fayetteville 14, FINAL
FRIDAY, Oct. 4
Alexandria 28, Hokes Bluff 27, FINAL
Cherokee County 14, Anniston 0, FINAL
Central-Clay 29, Elmore County 7, FINAL
Tallassee 35, Cleburne County 7, FINAL
Coosa Christian 43, Cleveland 0, FINAL
Weaver 42, Glencoe 20, FINAL
Handley 38, Bullock County 21, FINAL
Jacksonville 44, Springville 14, FINAL
Jacksonville Christian 52, Clay County Christian 12, FINAL
Westbrook Christian 48, Ohatchee 27, FINAL
Oxford 27, Pell City 0, FINAL
Piedmont 61, Locust Fork 14, FINAL
Pleasant Valley 20, Cedar Bluff 19, FINAL
Horseshoe Bend 42, Ranburne 27, FINAL
Glenwood 68, Randolph County 40, FINAL
J.B. Pennington 42, Saks 14, FINAL
Southside 27, Mae Jemison 6, FINAL
Spring Garden 46, Appalachian 21, FINAL
Wadley 49, Woodland 14, FINAL
White Plains 24, Ashville 20, FINAL
Open: Lincoln, Wellborn.
ALEXANDRIA — Alexandria’s young team keeps showing progress.
Cole Wheeler’s 1-yard touchdown sneak and Cleat Forrest’s extra point with 24.7 seconds left completed the Valley Cubs’ comeback from a 13-point deficit, and they beat eighth-ranked Hokes Bluff 28-27 in Class 4A, Region 6 play on Friday.
Alexandria improved to 4-2 overall, 3-1 in region play with the Valley Cubs’ third consecutive victory. They’re coming off of a rare 1-9 finish in 2023.
Alexandria trailed 27–14.
“Just didn’t quit,” Alexandria coach Todd Ginn said. “Not many high school games that I’ve see that neither team punts.
“Was a physical game, and both teams left it out there.”
Wheeler’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Quendavion McDowell brought Alexandria within 27-21 after Hokes Bluff scored the first 13 points of the fourth quarter to retake the lead.
Wheeler hit on 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. He also hit on touchdown passes of 12 and 24 yards to M.J. Morris.
Led by J.J. Beason’s 88 rushing yards, the Valley Cubs rushed for 177 yards. That helped them overcome Hokes Bluff’s 321 rushing yards.
Hokes Bluff quarterback Bryce Whitaker led all rushers with 197 yards on 18 carries, with touchdown runs of 26 and four yards. He also passed for 22 yards, but Alexandria came up with three interceptions.
McDowell had two interceptions, and Morris had one.
The Eagles fell to 5-1, 3-1.
OXFORD 27, PELL CITY 0: Oxford’s defense posted its first shutout of the season, and the undefeated and fifth-ranked Yellow Jackets improved to 7-0 overall, 4-0 in Class 6A, Region 6.
Oxford outgained Pell City (2-4, 1-3) 411 yards to 106.
“Our defense was lights out tonight,” Oxford coach Sam Adams said. “We controlled the line of scrimmage and made Pell City work for every yard they got.”
Oxford quarterback Mason Mims completed 19 of 26 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Jaylin Taylor caught seven passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Caleb Wynn led all Oxford rushers with 99 yards and a touchdown.
“This wasn’t our most efficient game, offensively, but we had some bright spots, such as Jaylin Taylor at receiver,” Adams said.
Oxford has an open date before playing host to second-ranked Clay-Chalkville on Oct. 18.
“We are looking forward to getting healthy during the open week and the huge upcoming matchup vs Clay Chalkville,” Adams said.
PLEASANT VALLEY 20, CEDAR BLUFF 19: Quarterback Jaden Sparks accounted for 200 total yards and passed for two touchdowns, and Pleasant Valley (5-2) improved to 2-1 in Class 2A, Region 7 while winning its third consecutive game.
Sparks hit on seven of 15 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, one to Hunter Sparks and the other to Hudson Sparks, and rushed for 50 yards Jaden Sparks also rushed for a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
Kayden Vick rushed for 60 yards.
The Raiders’ defense came up with three turnovers, including Luke Gunning’s fumble recovery and 55-yard return. Hayden Hardy recovered a fumble, and Hunter Sparks ended the game with an interception.
Nic Acker led Pleasant Valley with 12 tackles. Noah Johnson added 10, Braxton Salster nine and John Hanson seven. Brayden Pappa and Jaden Sparks had six apiece.
“The Pleasant Valley Raiders keep finding ways to win!” Raiders coach Jonathan Nix said. “So proud of how this team shows grit and determination in the fourth quarter.”
JACKSONVILLE 44, SPRINGVILLE 14: Zae English rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns, and Jacksonville (3-4) broke out of a four-game losing streak and improved to 1-3 in Class 5A, Region 6.
English upped to 1,018 rushing yards on the season. His touchdown runs covered 10, seven and 56 yards.
Tylen Ellis added 143 yards rushing with a 3-yard touchdown run.
WHITE PLAINS 24, ASHVILLE 20: Quarterback Crew Martin rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and White Plains made it two wins in a row while improving to 3-3 overall, 1-3 in Class 4A, Region 6.
WEAVER 42, GLENCOE 20: Kaden Gooden rushed for four touchdowns, and Weaver got its first victory of the season. The Bearcats are 1-5 overall, 1-3 in Class 3A, Region 6.
“Great to get the first,” Weaver coach Ken Cofer said. “Hoping this is a confidence booster for our kids, but we’ve known how our kids can play when they execute.
“Still a lot of improvement that can be made over the course of these next four weeks.
WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN 48, OHATCHEE 27: The Warriors scored the game’s final 20 points and improved to 4-2 overall, 3-2 in Class 3A, Region 6.
Quarterback Brody Blevins rushed 33 times for 213 yards and five touchdowns. He also completed 10 of 18 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Bo Kilgo caught five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, and Maximus KJones had two catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Westbrook Christian held Ohatchee (3-4, 1-4) to 247 total yards, 72 rushing.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN 52, CLAY COUNTY CHRISTIAN 12: Noah Lee surpassed 100 career touchdown passes as JCA improved to 6-2.
Lee completed 12 of 14 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He has 102 career touchdown passes and 110 total touchdowns, including rushing touchdowns. He rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown Friday.
Jesse Ganmaway caught seven catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Bryson Dowdey caught three passes for 52 yards, and Caleb Stallings caught a 49-yard touchdown pass.
Nick Brodeur rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Jack Henry Harris had a 62-yard touchdown run. 1
Moses Averette recovered a fumble.
