Johnson Leads Carver Into Spotlight With Playoff Win
Senior quarterback Jeremy Johnson directed Carver High School to a 26-20 victory over Spain Park at Cramton Bowl in the Class 6A state football playoff quarterfinals.
And, just as in the first two rounds, the Wolverines (12-1) had to rely on a bend-but-not-break defense to seal the win. Johnson led the Montgomery powerhouse offensively by completing 23-of-27 passes for 298 yards and running 18 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. The win propelled Coach Billy Gresham’s team into the semifinals this Friday – also at Cramton Bowl.
Opelika (9-4) edged Auburn 8-7 to advance to the Region 3 rematch with Carver. All semifinal round games will kick off Friday at 7 p.m. with winners advancing to the Super 6 state championships Dec. 6-7 at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Johnson, who was chosen to represent Alabama in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game Dec. 15, teamed with running back Harvey Harris, who added 154 yards rushing and three first-half touchdowns on 24 carries, to provide just enough offensive punch.
Spain Park senior quarterback Nick Mullens, who will be Johnson’s teammate in the upcoming all-star clash, also had a spectacular performance completing 26-of-55 passes for 299 yards. He had one TD pass and drove the Jaguars down near the goal line in the waning moments only to have his last three passes knocked away inside the 10-yard line by Carver’s stout defense.
Several outstanding performances were turned in during last week’s quarterfinal round of the football playoffs.
Included are:
SAMMY HARRIS, SPANISH FORT: Caught seven passes for 135 yards and two TDs in a 28-17 Class 5A victory over Benjamin Russell. Teammate Joel Poe was 19-of-28 passing for 244 yards and three TDs.
KERRYON JOHNSON, MADISON ACADEMY: Rushed for 239 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns as the Mustangs beat Colbert County 66-28 in the Class 3A semifinals. Freshman teammate Malik Miller also added 125 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
DEANTHONY HOLCOMBE, WASHINGTON COUNTY: Gained 170 rushing yards on 10 carries and scored twice in a 33-12 Class 2A win over Mobile Christian.
HAYDEN MOORE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Rushed for 132 yards and was 11-of-16 passing for 128 yards in a 30-9 Class 6A win over Mountain Brook. He scored on a 57-yard run and completed a 28-yard TD pass.
CALEN CAMPBELL, HOOVER: Had 194 yards rushing on 32 carries and scored twice in a 21-7 Class 6A win over Vestavia Hills.
JERMARCUS BROWN, PICKENS COUNTY: Scored six touchdowns and 241 all-purpose yards in a 54-32 Class 1A win over Berry. He had four rushing TDs, one pass reception for a score and returned a kickoff 81 yards for another score.
JACOBY ALDRIDGE, SWEET WATER: Had only nine carries but finished with 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 55-20 Class 2A win over Lamar County. He also had a 77-yard kickoff return that set up a TD.
TYLER JACKSON, MUSCLE SHOALS: Caught four passes for 138 yards and two scores and rushed for two more TDs in a 49-21 Class 5A win over defending state champion Hartselle.
TYWONE STEWART, REELTOWN: Had 18 rush attempts for 248 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-24 Class 2A win over Woodland.
KAI THOMAS, DORA: Intercepted two passes on defense, caught a 31-yard touchdown pass and scored the game-clinching TD on a 64-yard run with 1:29 remaining on offense in a 33-21 Class 4A win over Charles Henderson at Troy University’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.
DAMIEN WHITFIELD, McADORY: Intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns as unbeaten McAdory beat Cullman 29-22 in the 5A. His returns covered 85 and 35 yards.
SHAQUILLE LAW, McINTOSH: Scored on a 92-yard fumble return as McIntosh beat Maplesville 28-18 in the Class 1A quarterfinals.
HUNTER PATTERSON, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Had 10 tackles and two interceptions in a 30-9 Class 6A win over Mountain Brook.
JALEN JOHNSON, ONEONTA: Blocked two punts, one resulting in a safety, and had seven tackles in a 33-0 win over J.O. Johnson as the unbeaten Redskins advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs.
DEXTER DOUGLAS, TANNER: Had 12 tackles, including two for losses, in the Rattlers’ 2A 14-0 quarterfinal win over Fultondale.
BLAKE BEAN, ONEONTA: Recorded 11 tackles, two sacks and had six other stops for losses in a 33-0 Class 4A win over J.O. Johnson. Thomas Boyd also had 12 tackles with nine stops resulting in losses.
KYLEN TOWNER, ST. PAUL’S: Had two second-half interceptions as the Saints posted a 24-3 Class 5A win over Briarwood Christian.