Lee-Scott beats Loachapoka in early-season matchup
BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER
LOACHAPOKA — It was a game full of mistakes and missed opportunities between the Lee-Scott Warriors and the Loachapoka Indians on Friday night, but somebody had to come out on top. Lee-Scott was the fortunate one.
The Warriors went to Loachapoka and took home their first road win of the season, 21-12. Lee-Scott improved to 2-0 to start its first season in the AHSAA, while Loachapoka dropped its season opener to start out 0-1.
“It’s like I told [Loachapoka head coach Branden Hall], we both played about as bad as we could play in that game. We were lucky to come out with a win,” said Lee-Scott head coach Buster Daniel. “2-0 is good. I told the guys I’m proud of them, but I’m gonna tell them the truth. That’s my job. We’re going to fix our mistakes and move on.”
Hall echoed the same displeasure with the way his team played. The Indians highly anticipated getting back to the field after their week one matchup with Notasulga was cancelled, but they left feeling dissatisfied.
“Horrible play everywhere — offense and defense,” Hall said. “No excuses for playing sloppy, man; turnovers, not getting lined up, jumping offside… The bright side of it is that was our first game. We’ll go back to the drawing board in the morning.”
Along with more than three turnovers by each squad, Loachapoka also had a late rally halted when a fourth quarter touchdown run was called back on a holding penalty. Instead of scoring to make it 21-18 (before an extra point attempt) with under six minutes remaining, Lee-Scott forced a turnover on downs on fourth down to reclaim possession.
The Warriors’ bruising rushing attack had milked the clock on lengthy drives all game long, but the Indians stood up on defense and forced two more punts for a chance to get the ball back after the turnover on downs in the final minutes. However, both of the attempted punt returns were muffed and recovered by Lee-Scott – an unfortunate but appropriate finish to a sloppy game.
“I think we had six turnovers. You are not going to win many games like that,” Daniel said.
The momentum was all in Lee-Scott’s favor early on in a high-action first half, but there was no scoring in the entire second half.
Junior Easton Gregory got the party started quickly by blocking a punt and falling on it in the end zone for a score on the first drive of the game. Lee-Scott kept its foot on the gas early, as senior quarterback Pelzer Reeves rumbled into the end zone on a read option run on the Warriors’ first offensive possession to make it 14-0.
That’s where Loachapoka began to fight.
After two three-and-out drives to begin the game, the Indians turned to junior QB K.J. Carter to spark the offense. That’s exactly what he did, as he led two consecutive scoring drives on his first two possessions to make it 14-12. First, he hit senior Jacarri Stone on a screen pass before Stone made a man miss and outran the entire defense for a TD. Then, Carter showed off his wheels for a 23-yard stroll into the end zone.
Although Carter was visibly upset after Loachapoka turned it over on downs on the goal line late in the fourth quarter, his effort and skill was obvious in his first game for the Indians. Turnovers and penalties bit Loachapoka in a scoreless second half, but the Indians have a lot to build on with Carter behind center.
“He is a tough dude,” Hall said of his quarterback. “He gave it everything he got. Man, I’m proud of him.”
On the other side, Lee-Scott has a lot to improve on as well, from explosive offensive plays to key defensive stands.
Senior running back Tyler Kennedy proved crucial for the Warriors, quickly providing an answer to Loachapoka’s consecutive scores by taking a screen pass 50 yards to the house to make it 21-12 – a score that stood to the final tick.
A two-quarterback system has also emerged for the Warriors, as Reeves shared snaps with senior Auburn High transfer Max Hammer for the second week in a row. Reeves, who is a returning starter from last year’s state championship team, has started each game but has given way for several drives to Hammer, although neither guy has taken over clear-cut starting reps in practice, according to a Lee-Scott coach.
In the end, the Warriors’ got gutsy stops on defensive when it needed them to decide a tight battle. Still, it was clear that both teams are going to be forces to reckon with as the season goes on, though there’s plenty to clean up going into their respective matchups this week.
On Friday, Sep. 6, Lee-Scott will travel to Childersburg (1-1) for its first game in 3A Region 4. Loachapoka will hit the road for a matchup with Lannett (1-1).
Beulah continues hot start with win over Lanett
BY DAVID YOHN
FOR THE OBSERVER
BEULAH — The Lanett Panthers were just 39 seconds from going to the locker room with a 14-10 lead, but it was the Beulah Bobcats who got the last laugh with a 38-21 win. Beulah improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2019.
Aided by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following their go-ahead touchdown, the Panthers forced the Bobcats to start at their own 20-yard line. Even with 33 seconds remaining in the half, it seemed that the Panthers would enjoy the halftime lead. That’s when Beulah’s fireworks show began. They took to the air and found senior wide receiver Drew Duvall for a gain of nearly 40 yards. The Panthers were guilty of a facemask infraction, so Beulah suddenly was in position to score. With just five seconds on the clock, they found the end zone and took a 17-10 lead.
Beulah’s senior wide receiver and kick returner changed the complexion of the game on the second half kickoff. Reed Maloof found no room along the visitor’s sideline, so he reversed course and took it 85 yards to the house for another Bobcat touchdown. Lanett never fully recovered after falling behind 24-14, and Beulah went on to win 38-21.
“That’s perseverance, just not giving up, not quitting,” Johnson said. “I’m just so proud for these young men. They’ve been through a lot and we’ve been through some tough times. But these past couple of years have been good to us. We’ve got to keep fighting.”
Beulah held Lanett to a three and out on the opening possession of the game, and then efficiently drove 62 yards in just over three minutes for the first touchdown of the game. Freshman WR Asher Arnett hauled in the 28-yard pass from QB Kason Kalla after RB Khamoni Lindsey rushed for twenty-four yards on four carries earlier in the drive.
Lanett’s second possession resulted in just one first down before stalling. A high snap to the punter resulted in the Bobcats tackling him at the Panther’s 13-yard line. Lanett’s defense stiffened, however, and only yielded a field goal. Nonetheless, Beulah was off to a 10-0 lead with 4:03 still remaining in the first quarter.
Lanett managed a first down on a third-and-16 scramble, but just four plays later Duvall picked off the Panther’s pass. Again, the Lanett defense held Beulah on a fourth-and-five play that ended up a yard short of the first down marker. The Panthers started their fourth drive inauspiciously, when JoJo Wilson blew up Lanett’s first down play. A dropped pass on second-and-15 made it seem inevitable that Lanett would end up punting. After picking up exactly 15 yards, Lanett was in trouble again until QB Fredrick Broughton rambled for 35 yards on third and long. Beulah was guilty of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty a play later, and that’s when RB Tyron Brooks bulldozed his way to the end zone from nine yards out.
Beulah controlled the ball for nearly five minutes but were stifled on a fourth-and-three rush. Lanett then quickly capitalized with a 45-yard strike to Terrell Staples. Lanett had its first lead at 14-7, but the aforementioned fireworks were about to start for Beulah. The Bobcats’ 80-yard drive in just 34 seconds gave them the 17-14 lead at the half.
The two teams exchanged punts after Beulah returned the second half kickoff to take a 24-14 lead. Lanett daringly went for it on 4th-and-1 from their own 21-yard line, and the dare paid off. Just two plays later, however, another Beulah senior, Demarion Foreman, intercepted the errant Lanett pass and returned it 20 yards to the Lanett 20-yard line. Barely one minute later, RB Lindsey found the end zone from three yards out. Beulah enjoyed their largest lead of the game at 31-14.
Lanett fought back, quickly going 80 yards to cut the deficit to then with 9:45 remaining in the game. Beulah then looked to run out the clock with the ground game. Lindsey’s 27-yard burst seemed to seal the deal, and six plays later the Bobcats called his number again. His 5-yard TD run capped off an impressive 67-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock.
The Bobcats hope for another fast start when Dadeville comes to visit on Sep. 6 for the region opener for both teams. Beulah is riding high at 2-0, while the Tigers of Dadeville have started out 0-2 versus 5A Elmore County and 4A Handley. Beulah will be looking to avenge their largest regular season defeat of 2023 versus the Tigers who have won nine of the last 10 head-to-head matchups with the Bobcats.
Johnson recognizes Dadeville as a tough region opponent, noting their athleticism.
“We’ve got to play our ball,” he said. “These guys come to practice to work every day. It’s our job to get them ready.”
Local games info:
BY D MARK MITCHELL
FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — Lee-Scott Academy (LSA) (2-0) beat Loachapoka 21-12 last Friday night. For a more in-depth look at this game, read Noah Griffith’s article on B1.
Beauregard won its first game of the season, 8-6 over Anniston. The Hornets will hold their first home game on Sept 6 when it hosts Marbury.
Benjamin Russell lost 28-35 to Clay Central and will host Calera on Sept. 6.
Beulah (2-0) beat Lanett 38-21 and will host Dadeville Friday night. For more information on the Beulah v. Lanett game, see the article by David Yohn on B2.
Chambers Academy beat Fort Dale Academy 36-7. It will play Valiant Cross in Montgomery on Sept 6
Dadeville lost to Handley 44-21 and will travel to Beulah Sept 6.
The Glenwood Gators beat Elba 49-22 and will go up against B.B. Comer Friday night.
Lafayette beat Central Hayneville 41-14 and will host Ranburne on Sept. 6.
Notasulga beat Barbour County 43-6 and will host Autaugaville this week.
Reeltown beat Trinty 20-3. The Rebels will play at Horseshoe Bend Sept. 6
Smiths Station fell to Valley 36-9 and will host the Central Red Devils Friday night.
