PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Warriors win big for 3-0 region start; Aggies, Broncos, Vinemont fall

Published 1:39 am Saturday, September 19, 2015

MADISON — Cameron Moore scored three touchdowns, and Kobe Smith tacked on two as West Point cruised to a 54-8 road win over St. John Paul II on Friday night.

The Warriors scored all 54 points in the first half. The third and fourth quarters were shortened, and West Point coach Don Farley said he used that time to gain some experience for younger players.

“We had some things we wanted to work on tonight to make sure we executed,” he said. “Our offensive line blocked well, and our defense played a really good game.”

West Point (3-1, 3-0 Class 5A, Region 8) scored on its opening drive when Tanner Rusk completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Farley. Rusk hooked up with Hunter Appling on a 47-yard touchdown to give the Warriors a 14-0 lead with 9:32 left in the quarter. A blocked punt by Aaron O’Neil led to a 24-yard touchdown pass from Rusk to Moore, who scored again in the next possession on a 20-yard run. Kobe Smith’s 52-yard touchdown run gave West Point a 34-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Moore’s final touchdown came on a 5-yard run and was set up two play earlier when he broke loose for a 60-yard gain. Smith added a 14-yard touchdown run, and Kolton Easterwood finished the scoring on a 45-yard run after he intercepted a pass on defense.

Tristin Skinner converted 5 of 6 extra-point attempts, and Steven Rodriguez made one of his two extra-point tries.

Friday’s win marked the first time in program history West Point has started consecutive seasons 3-0 in region play.

“We’re 3-0 in the region and proud to be there,”Farley said. “Our guys came and really responded in the first quarter and played well throughout the second quarter.”

West Point returns home next week to take on county-rival Hanceville.

Etowah 50, Fairview 14

The Aggies gave up touchdowns through the air, on the ground and on defense, and allowed a 38-yard field goal in a lopsided road and region loss.

The Blue Devils improved to 3-2 (3-0 5A, Region 7), while Fairview dropped to 1-3 (0-3).

The Aggies were tied 7-7 after the first quarter on Austin Harris’ 6-yard touchdown run before the home team broke open the game with 26 points in the second stanza.

The turning point in the game came early in the second quarter when Etowah’s Robert Romine picked off Ragan Ashley and returned the ball to Fairview’s 15-yard line.

The Aggies’ other score came on an 11-yard touchdown run by Antonio Taylor with 3:01 to go in the game. Ashley’s 23-yard pass to Sambo Woods and 15-yarder to Noah Garnett helped set up the score.

Fairview travels to county-rival Holly Pond next week.

Susan Moore 49, Holly Pond 14

Kobe Justice and Hunter Duncan both rushed for two touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs past the Broncos.

Susan Moore gained all of its 470 yards on the ground. Duncan led the way, carrying the ball 17 times for 223 yards. His 90-yard touchdown run with 3:19 left in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead and came after the Broncos had a pass intercepted in the end zone.

Holly Pond (0-4, 0-3 in 3A, Region 5) scored on two touchdown tosses from Michael Lambert, who completed 9 of 26 passes for 110 yards. Dylan Morton had a 46-yard touchdown reception, and Zac Naler had a 10-yard touchdown catch. Lambert ran 12 times for 71 yards, and Caleb Jones added 55 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Winfield 47, Vinemont 14

Drew Blackburn scored twice in the first quarter and led a balanced Pirates offense that found the end zone six times in the first half.

Winfield gained 419 yards on offense, rushing 32 times for 263 yards completing 12 of 12 passes for 156 yards.

The Pirates (4-1, 3-0 3A, Region 5) jumped out to a 28-0 advantage in the first quarter and added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 41-0 halftime lead. Jordan Hunt started the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown run and followed by passing for Winfield’s second score, a 13-yard completion to Will Harrison. Blackburn, who led the Pirates with 72 yards on five carries, scored on a 3-yard run to make it 21-0 and added a 47-yard touchdown run on the Pirates’ next drive.

Vinemont (0-4, 0-2 in 3A, Region 5) finished with a net total of 156 yards on offense. The Eagles rushed 41 times for 74 yards and completed 6 of 8 passes for 82 yards. John Michael Dye led Vinemont with 102 yards on 22 carries, including both of the Eagles’ touchdowns. Dye scored on runs of 14 and 8 yards in the third quarter.

Vinemont will host county-rival Cold Springs next week.