Sweet Water Eclipses Own Defensive Record
Just three weeks ago, Sweet Water High School’s Bulldogs limited Coffeeville to minus-100 yards rushing to set a new state record. Friday night, in a 78-0 win over J.F. Shields, the Bulldogs eclipsed that record with minus-101 yards allowed on the ground.
That defensive effort, highlighted by a safety, a kick return following the safety, a fumble return for a TD and a fumble recovered in the end zone for another TD – all in the first quarter by Coach Stacy Luker’s team. The defensive effort grabbed this week’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Spotlight as Sweet Water recorded its 32nd straight win in a row.
The Bulldogs, the 1A state champs in 2004, 2006 and 2007, led 51-0 after the first quarter and 72-0 at the half. The only points in the second half came on field goals inside the 20. Sweet Water (5-0) rushed for 295 yards with the first unit only getting eight plays on the night.
In other highlights from last weekend:
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MARCUS JACKSON, GOSHEN: The sophomore had 314 total yards including 230 rushing and five touchdowns on 17 carries as Goshen beat Pike County 51-26 – the first regular-season victory over the Bulldogs since a 13-13 tie in 1956. Jackson scored on TD runs of 9, 15, 44, 40 and 43 yards. He also had one 16-yard reception, kicked five extra points and had 10 tackles with a 68-yard interception return on defense.
- ALEX ALDRIDGE, BERRY: Completed 14-of-21 passes for 336 yards with two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion. He also rushed for 114 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns for 450 total yards in a 50-6 win over Brilliant.
- ADAM McCARLEY, PHILLIPS: Despite falling to undefeated Hazlewood, 50-36, the senior quarterback shined with 107 yards rushing on 17 carries and two scores, and 11-of-21 passing for 155 yards and another TD. McCarley also had nine tackles on defense and two passes broken up.
- LEANDER WALLACE, COLBERT HEIGHTS: Completed 11-of-19 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns in a 62-42 win over Oakman. His TD connections covered 56, 25, 44, 45, and 5 yards.
- BRIAN PARK, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Was 24-of-31 passing for 355 yards with five touchdown passes as Westminster pounded Woodville, 52-16. Park also rushed for a sixth TD.
- KEVIN CALLENDER, MONTEVALLO: The junior was 6-of-10 passing for 213 yards and rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs downed West Blocton, 42-21.
- JERMAINE “JUICY” WILLIAMS, SLOCOMB: Rushed for 342 yards on 26 carries with four touchdowns as Slocomb beat Houston Academy 42-17. His TD runs covered 58, 25, 40 and 27 yards with another 54-yard trek to the 1-yard line to set up another Red Tops score.
- KEN HOUSTON, VIGOR: Had 249 yards on 28 carries as Vigor stopped Opelika 34-28.
- JOHN LAWSON, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Was 17-of-29 passing for 414 yards and four touchdowns as the Mobile school topped A.L. Johnson, 62-24.
- EDWARD ROBINSON, HOUSTON COUNTY: Moving from wide receiver to quarterback after an injury to the starting quarterback, Robinson threw for 307 yards and a touchdown and ran for 51 more and two touchdowns, leading the Lions to a 41-30 win over Abbeville.
- COREY CAHILL, GUNTERSVILLE: rushed for 286 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns in a 30-10 win over Arab.
- TREY LITTLEFIELD, SPRING GARDEN: The junior tailback had 232 yards on 18 carries with four touchdowns and a two-point conversion in a 42-28 win over White Plains.
- DOMINIQUE CROOM, CHEROKEE: Caught two touchdown passes, ran for another plus an interception on defense in a 28-21 victory over Central-Florence. Croom’s TD receptions covered 45 and 35 yards, His TD run was a 27-yarder.
- D’NICO BEST, AUSTIN: The Black Bears running back rushed for 142 yards and two scores, and caught three passes for 83 yards and a score as Austin beat Florence 48-21. Best scored on runs of 3 and 12 yards, and took a shuffle pass 69 yards for a score.
- CHRIS HOLLAND, DESHLER: Holland, a defensive tackle, recovered two fumbles and forced another fumble as Deshler held on for a 7-2 win against Colbert County. Holland’s second fumble recovery came in the closing minutes and stopped Colbert County’s final drive.
- CASEY O’TOOLE, ONEONTA: The senior quarterback was 10-of-13 passing for 180 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another 70 yards on five carries to boost the Redskins to a 42-7 victory over previously undefeated Susan Moore. Nolen Smith was on the receiving end of eight completions for 172 yards and all four TDs (35, 20, 1 and 81 yards).
- COLBY HARVEY, APPALACHIAN: The senior used 17 carries to pile up 125 yards rushing, caught three passes for 60 yards and accounted for both Eagles touchdowns in a 13-6 win over Westbrook Christian. His scores came on a 21-yard TD pass and a 15-yard run. On defense had had six tackles and an interceptions.
- MARSHALL BURGIN, MOUNTAIN BROOK: The safety recovered a fumble and forced a fumble to set up both Spartans touchdowns in a 17-14 win over Vestavia Hills. For good measure he also had an interception.
- ANTHONY HOLLAND, PRATTVILLE: Helped the Lions register their fourth straight shutout, a 26-0 win over Brentwood Academy of Nashville, with six tackles, including three for a loss in the win.
- SETH BAKER, SPRINGVILLE: The quarterback was 28-of-40 passing for 317 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-32 win over Erwin.
- KEN MARBURY, MINOR: The quarterback threw for 282 yards on 14-of-20 passing in a 53-13 win over Hewitt-Trussville that saw the Tigers have 610 yards in total offense.
- JUWAN ROGERS, VINCENT: Had 244 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 35-6 win over Winterboro.
- JRARIOUS JACKSON, R.E. LEE: Was 15-of-31 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the Generals’ 22-15 loss to unbeaten Carver-Montgomery.
- TYRONE BOWIE, GARDENDALE: The linebacker had 15 solo tackles and four assists in a 28-13 win over Thompson. The defense held the Warriors to just 159 yards for the game.
- DEMARCUS MILLINER, STANHOPE ELMORE: The junior contributed in every phase of Stanhope Elmore's 44-30 win over Central-Phenix City. He recorded 10 tackles and an interception and as a return man, he finished with 135 yards on three returns. He rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
- DRE KIRKPATRICK, GADSDEN CITY: The senior cornerback picked off three passes in the Titans' 35-6 win over Etowah. The Gadsden City offense turned two of Kirkpatrick interceptions into touchdowns.