PREP FOOTBALL: Harper, Fairview power past Good Hope 48-21 to remain unbeaten
Published 4:36 am Saturday, November 2, 2024
Fairview's Blake Rickard (3) celebrates with Jake Harper (14) following the latter's touchdown. Nick Johnston | For The Times
Fairview's Kolt Redding looks to pass. Nick Johnston | For The Times
Good Hope's Tyler Cone throws a pass. Nick Johnston | For The Times
Good Hope's Tucker Malin looks for room to run. Nick Johnston | For The Times
Fairview's Carson Jones intercepts a pass. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Fairview's Jake Harper celebrates a touchdown. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
GOOD HOPE — In a battle of unbeaten county rivals that featured talented athletes on both sidelines and explosive plays throughout, Jake Harper’s thunderous, get-your-hands-off-me runs ultimately stole the show and powered Fairview to a road win.
The junior running back netted 282 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries as the Class 5A No. 4 Aggies improved to 9-0 on the season following a 48-21 victory against Class 4A No. 5 Good Hope on Friday night.
In total, the Purple and Gold rushed for almost 400 yards against a defense that ranked first in 4A in points per game allowed (7.2).
Harper’s reasoning behind his stellar performance?
“I took it very personal,” he said following the clash. “If my team trusts me with the ball, then I feel I should do everything I can to get the ball in the end zone for them. That was our plan for the game — to get out here, do what we do and just play football. There was nothing different about tonight. It was do what we do, which is execute plays and win ball games.”
Harper scored twice in the first half on scampers of 16 and 69 yards, respectively.
A 15-yard touchdown pass from Kolt Redding to Blake Rickard late in the second quarter put the Aggies ahead 21-7 at halftime.
The teams continued to trade blows after intermission — with Harper scoring twice more on runs of 35 and 39 yards, respectively, in the third quarter. Redding also sandwiched a 59-yard touchdown toss to Jace Stevens on a third-and-17 between end zone connections from Good Hope’s Tyler Cone to Carter Rutherford — 12 and 64 yards, respectively.
Fairview’s final score came on Redding’s third touchdown pass of the game — an 8-yard fade to Zayden Cruce on fourth-and-3 midway through the final frame.
“It was very important for us to establish the run,” Fairview coach George Redding said. “We felt like we’d get man coverage and a loaded box, so it was going to be crucial for us to come out and be physical up front and establish the line of scrimmage. We knew we’d have to take some shots from time to time, but we wanted to be strategic when doing that.
“We were able to convert downfield to help sustain some drives and even score touchdowns. Really couldn’t ask for much more out of our offensive line and backs tonight.”
Despite the outcome being well in hand late, the atmosphere inside James W. Shabel Stadium was more than befitting for a matchup of undefeated programs.
In fact, it made Redding take a stroll down memory lane — back when he quarterbacked for the Purple and Gold.
“You go back to 1993 when Fairview and West Point played — this was similar,” Redding said. “I’m not sure if the crowd was as big, but it was big. I just remember getting beat 7-0. But that is what tonight felt like. You had people here at 5 o’clock or buying tickets early in the week or saving seats. (Good Hope coach) Alan (Scott) and I talked last week and he said it best when he said, ‘It’s a shame someone has to lose this game.’
“This was two good teams playing well and hoping to make a run in the playoffs. To be honest, I’m proud of both programs. It’s a great thing for Cullman County football.”
Carson Jones (71 yards) and Redding (42) contributed on the ground for the Aggies as well.
The former also completed 10 of 14 passes for 163 yards and the three touchdowns. Rickard (three catches for 67 yards), Stevens (one catch for 59 yards) and Cruce (six catches for 37 yards) were his playmakers.
Cone, meanwhile, threw for more than 240 yards and three touchdowns. Rutherford hauled down six catches for 139 yards and two scores. Tucker Malin added 68 yards on two catches, including a nifty 37-yard touchdown in the first half in which he made multiple tacklers miss.
Mason Drake added 44 rushing yards for Good Hope (9-1).
Fairview will host Carver-Birmingham in the first round of the playoffs next week. The Raiders will also play at home, hosting Hatton.
