Sep. 24—What does it take to win a football game?
There are a lot of variables that go into winning football games. Limiting mistakes such as turnovers and penalties is key, and it also helps to be able to out-scheme an opponent.
In reality, though, one thing helps more than anything else: having good players.
There’s a reason the old saying goes “It’s not the X’s and the O’s, but the Jimmys and the Joes” and not the other way around. Without good players, all the other stuff usually won’t get you very far.
Fortunately, local teams have been blessed with a few good “Jimmys and Joes,” and last week those players helped lead some big wins.
On Friday, Hartselle defeated Decatur 50-0 in an annual edition of a rivalry game that dates to 1917, and the Tigers weren’t lacking in playmakers to help them do it.
Senior quarterback Noah Lee was 6-of-8 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a score, while receiver Markus Tapscott had three catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Jai Morrow had one of the best games of his young career, rushing eight times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The undefeated Class 4A, No. 5 West Morgan Rebels also won, taking down Hatton 42-12.
Running back Macarri Johnson continued his breakout season, rushing 12 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns. The success for the weekend didn’t stop there either. The junior picked up a Division I offer Saturday from the University of North Alabama.
Shone Tapscott added 103 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Kaylin Daniels made two catches for 56 yards and a score. The Rebels are now 27-3 dating to the start of the 2022 season.
Here were how other players fared in the stat books this past week:
—Xavier Edwards rushed 15 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns, while Damarcus Malone rushed for 101 yards and two scores on 16 carries as Athens thrashed Jasper 50-20. Quarterback Brogan Gross added 46 yards rushing and was 6-of-7 passing for 63 yards and two total touchdowns. The Golden Eagles, who face Hazel Green this week, are a win away from their first 5-0 start since winning the Class 5A state championship in 2006.
—East Lawrence running back Cayne McClure went almost as crazy on Friday as former Auburn star Cadillac Williams used to, rushing 14 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns, while also intercepting a pair of passes on defense. His herculean effort helped East Lawrence earn its first win, 42-27 over Danville.
—Speaking of first wins, Tanner also earned its first with a 47-13 pounding of Belgreen. After scoring only seven points total in the previous four games, the Rattlers finally broke through, and Matthew Fletcher was a big reason why. Fletcher scored three offensive touchdowns and also had a pick-six on defense.
—Austin quarterback JL Davis passed for 144 yards and had three total touchdowns in a 50-6 win over Albertville on Friday. The Black Bears moved to 4-0.
—Decatur Heritage’s Savarius Evans and Daniel “Budda” Taylor combined for six touchdowns in a 68-0 win over Tharptown last Thursday. Evans rushed for three touchdowns, while Taylor had two rushing scores and a punt-return touchdown.
—Zavian Camel and Bronson Carroll each rushed for two touchdowns to help Priceville end a three-game losing skid with a 36-20 win over East Limestone that also earned the Bulldogs their first Class 5A region win.
— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2
