BY D. MARK MITCHELL | THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY —
The first round of the AHSAA football playoff ended with four local teams advancing: Auburn, Loachapoka, Central and Benjamin Russell.
LOACHAPOKA
The Indians jumped out to a 20-6 first half lead and added 14 second half points on their way to a 34-6 win over Southern Choctaw. Poka’s Anthony Wheat scored two TDs in the first half on runs of 11 and three yards. J.K. Walker returned a punt 64 yards for a score, and Quinton Cooks caught a 28-yard pass for a TD from Pete Nelms late in the first half. Nelms ran three yards for a TD in the third quarter. Indian head coach Reco Newton takes his team to play at Brantley (6-4), which advanced by beating Linden 42-17 last week.
TEAM INFO
Loachapoka High Indians
- Coach Frederick Newton (his fourth Season) 1A, Region 4 No. 1 seed
- (10-0, 7-0), defeated Region 2 No. 4 seed Southern Choctaw 34-6 in first round
- Will travel to play against Region 1 No. 3 seed Brantley (7-4, 6-2) in second round of playoffs
- Brantley won at Region 3 against No. 2 seed Linden 42-17
- Loachapoka last played Brantley in 2014 (0-5 record all-time)
- Locachapoka seeking first win in second round or beyond since 2013 (lost in third round)
- Winner will play Leory/Georgiana in 3rd round (Poka would host Leroy, travel to Georgiana)
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS
Loachapoka remains undefeated this season and will play against rival Brantley Friday, Nov. 17.
AHS
The Auburn High School Tigers beat Baker 27-7 last Friday in Mobile. Sophomore Omar Mabson scored two first half TD’s to help AHS build a 17-3 halftime lead. Placekicker Towns McGough made field goals from 57 and 36 yards.
The Tigers improved to 10-2 on the season and will travel to Phenix City Friday, Nov. 17, to play Central. The Red Devils beat the Tigers 41-20 on Oct. 20 at Duck Samford. Central has beaten Auburn 43 times and leads the series 43-17-3. AHS beat CHS three times since 2020, with two of the wins in the semi-finals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wayne Trawick Field.
TEAM INFO
Auburn High Tigers:
- Coach Keith Etheredge (his third Season); No. 3 seed in Region 2
- (9-2, 6-2), Won at Region 1 against No. 2 seed Baker last week 27-17
- will play at Region 2 against No. 1 seed Central (10-0, 8-0) in second round of playoffs
- Auburn lost 41-20 in regular season, beat Central 14-13 in third round of playoffs last season (17-43 All-time vs. Central)
- Winner will play Mary Montgomery/Enterprise in 7A Semi-finals 11/24 (Auburn would host Mary Montgomery, but travel to Enterprise)
Central Red Devils:
- (10-0, 8-0), Won vs. Region 1 No. 4 seed Davidson 63-21 in first round of playoffs
- Friday, vs. Region 2 No. 3 seed Auburn (9-2, 6-2) in second round of playoffs
- Beat Auburn 41-20 in regular season, lost to Auburn 14-13 in 3rd round of playoffs last season (43-17 All-time vs. Auburn)
- Winner will play Mary Montgomery/Enterprise in 7A Semi-finals 11/24 (Central would host thirrd round against either team)