By Cinthia Rico CEDAR BLUFF – In the Class 1A, Region 7 game on Friday night at Bruce Field, the Valley Head Tigers defeated Cedar Bluff 44-20 thanks to a second-half surge.
Valley Head moves to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the region with the victory. Additionally, it is the Tigers’ second straight triumph on the road.
Cedar Bluff captured a 7-6 lead early on, scoring in the opening quarter. However, the Tigers put together a multi-play drive led by Tytan Blevins and Hernan Moreno, capped by a Blevins’ 5-yard touchdown.
At the end of the first quarter, Cedar Bluff’s Trey Stitts scored on a 1-yard run to give his team a 14-6 lead.
The Tigers offense put in some work in the second quarter, setting up Blevins for his second touchdown of the evening, cutting the score to 14-12.
Blevins broke free for another scoring run with less than three minutes left until halftime.
The Tigers’ relentless offensive efforts proved to be a key factor in their second-half surge.
Trailing by two in the third quarter, with the ball on the 36-yard line, one down, and 10 to go, Blevins broke through Cedar Bluff’s defense for a Valley Head touchdown.
The Tigers took the lead 24-20, then capitalized on their momentum to score 20 more points and defeat Cedar Bluff 44-20.
On Friday, Valley Head continues regional play, hosting Appalachian (4-2, 2-1) at Tiger Stadium. The two last met in 2022 when the Tigers claimed a 34-28 win.
Valley Head 61, Ider 14
IDER – The Valley Head Tigers overpowered Ider 61-14 in the Class 1A non-regional game on Friday, Sept. 29, at Wayne C. Hardiman Stadium.
The Tigers built a 34-8 halftime advantage.
At the 9:56 mark of the third, Cayson McElrath rushed up the left for a touchdown, and Nathan Bain added a successful 2-point conversion.
Tytan Blevins rushed up the middle for the Tigers third-scoring run to end the third-quarter action with a 55-8 lead en route to a 61-14 victory over the Hornets.
Plainview Falters Against Hokes Bluff
By Cinthia Rico PLAINVIEW – The Bears hosted Hokes Bluff on Friday night for homecoming, falling 28-14 in the Class 3A, Region 6 matchup on Plainview turf.
Plainview finished with 183 total yards, 131 rushing yards, and 52 passing yards.
On the ground, Michael Lopez paced the Bears with 51 rushing yards on 11 carries, and G Brown had six carries for 29 yards.
Owen Hope recorded two receptions, 21 receiving yards, and a touchdown, and Trey Rutledge went 3-of-9 for 52 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles.
Hokes Bluff got off to an early start with a Bryce Whitaker 29-yard touchdown run up the middle and a Leon Chen point after.
Plainview answered midway through the second quarter, capping a more than 70-yard drive with a Brody Hodge 4-yard run and a Brayden Lingerfelt PAT to even the score at 7.
The Eagles reclaimed the lead with a Blain Barron 1-yard run and a Chen. At the half, the Bears trailed by 7.
Hokes Bluff continued its offensive push, extending its lead in the second half behind a Barron 56-yard touchdown.
Rutledge answered, connecting with Hope for a 6-yard touchdown pass and Lingerfelt’s point after cutting the score 21-14.
Plainview’s attempt to catch up fell short as the Eagles added a final 4-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
On Friday, Plainview (2-4, 1-3) continues regional play as they take on Sylvania (5-1, 4-0) at Ram Stadium.
QUICK HITS: Geraldine 55, Ohatchee 6
OHATCHEE – The Geraldine Bulldogs returned to Class 3A, Region 6 action, defeating Ohatchee 55-6 at Ragan Clark Stadium.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 3-1 in the region and 5-1 overall.
This week, Geraldine continued regional play on the road at Westbrook Christian (3-3, 1-3) at Jack Osborn Stadium in Rainbow City.
Section 49, Ider 26
IDER – On Friday at Wayne C. Hardiman Stadium, the Ider Hornets lost to Section in a Class 2A, Region 7 game.
Ider fell 49–26, slipping to 1-3 in the region and 2-4 overall. The Hornets continue regional play, hosting Collinsville (4-2,2-2) on Friday.
Lee 49, Fort Payne 42
HUNTSVILLE – Fort Payne’s comeback attempt fell short 49-42 in Friday night’s Class 6A, Region 8 matchup against Lee Huntsville at Milton Frank Stadium.
With the loss, the Wildcats dropped to 1-2 in the region and 3-3 overall.
Fort Payne looks to rebound as they continue regional play against Hazel Green (0-6, 0-3) on Friday at Bob Grimwood Stadium.
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