TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jarren Johnson caught 10 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, all Super Six records, to lead Jackson to its first outright state championship with a 42-28 win over Oneonta Friday in the Class 4A title game.
Johnson, who was named MVP, finished with 303 all-purpose yards. His 54-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and 25-yard run in the second gave Jackson a 14-0 lead.
Jackson (15-0) stretched its lead to 28-7 by halftime on Dustin Moseley’s 1-yard run and Lakenderick James’ 94-yard interception return, the longest in Super Six history.
Oneonta (12-3) scored 21 straight points. Quarterback Schlyer Walker threw for a 31-yard touchdown to Taylor Oden and scored on a 16-yard run, then Chase Bryant’s 32-yard interception return tied the game.
The Aggies responded with Moseley’s 75-yard touchdown to Antonio Fox, another Super Six record.
Jackson shared the 3A title with Colbert County in 1979.
Class 6A Finals
Prattville 35, Hoover 34
Justin Thomas accounted for 303 yards and three touchdowns to lead Prattville to a thrilling 35-34 win over Hoover in the Class 6A state championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It was Prattville’s fifth state championship — three of those coming from wins against Hoover in the finals.
Prattville (12-2) scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to take a 35-28 lead on Stanley May’s 6-yard run with 8:31 left. Thomas had two rushing touchdowns, including a 4-yard game-tying run in the third quarter.
Hoover (13-2) twice drove into Prattville territory in the final 2 minutes. Connor Short threw an interception, but redeemed himself with a 2-yard scoring run with 47 seconds left. Hoover opted to go for the two-point conversion, but Jarret Brown was stopped by Prattville’s Lawon Debardelaben and Laronji Vason.
Short threw for 217 yards and one touchdown and added three rushing touchdowns for Hoover.
Class 2A Finals
Elba 34, Tanner 14
Michael Lindsey ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns to lead Elba to a 34-14 win over Tanner in the Class 2A state championship game on Friday.
Lindsey finished the game with 202 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. His three rushing touchdowns tied a Super Six record. He scored on a 46-yard reception and added touchdown runs of 35, 6 and 20 yards. Darrean Burks had 142 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Elba (15-0) ran for a Super Six record 372 yards en route to the school’s third state championship. The Tigers won despite 16 penalties for 147 yards, both Super Six records.
Tanner (14-1) held a 14-7 lead in the second quarter on Kyle Shoulders’ 2-yard run and Landon Stephens’ 9-yard run.
The Tigers held a 20-0 second half scoring edge, while the defense limited the Rattlers to only 98 yards.
Class 5A Finals (Thursday)
Hartselle 13, Vigor 3
Hartselle’s Gavin Marsh hit a 47-yard, go-ahead field goal with 1:59 left in the game to lift the Tigers to a 13-3 win over Vigor in the Class 5A state championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Thursday night.
It was Marsh’s second game-winning field goal of the playoffs and Hartselle’s fourth comeback win. Marsh had tied the game at 3-all with a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter. He made 19 of 20 kicks in five playoff games, including 8 of 9 field goals.
Blake Slayton added a 14-yard run with 1 minute left to give the Tigers (15-0) their first state championship.
Vigor (12-3) took a 3-0 lead when Marlon Moore hit a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
Hartselle completed its first perfect season with a solid defensive effort. The Tigers held the Wolves to 57 rushing yards and forced five three-and-outs.
Class 3A Finals
(Thursday)
Handley 20, Madison 14
Chris Dillard and Duran Zachery had touchdown runs in the final in the final 4 minutes Thursday to rally Handley past Madison Academy 20-14 in the Class 3A state championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It is Handley’s first state title.
Dillard gave the Tigers (15-0) their only lead on a 2-yard run with 44 seconds left. Zachery, who was named the MVP after rushing for 75 yards, scored on a 27-yard run with 3:53 left. A failed two-point conversion left the Tigers with a 14-13 deficit.
Dejuan Clark recovered the ensuing onside kick at the Madison Academy 43-yard line to set up the winning score.
Madison Academy (12-3) took a 7-0 lead on Kerryon Johnson’s 11-yard run in the first quarter. Handley tied the game on Zachery’s 3-yard run in the second quarter.
Johnson added a 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Mustangs a 14-7 lead.
Class 1A Finals
(Thursday)
Marion 23, Linden 12
Sean Wallace rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns and passed for a third score to lead Marion County to a 23-12 win over No. 1 Linden in the Class 1A state championship game Thursday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Marion County (14-1) claimed its fourth state title and first since winning three straight from 1971-73.
The first half saw three lead changes with the Red Raiders taking a 16-12 lead into halftime.
Wallace threw a 16-yard pass to Ready Swanigan and added touchdown runs of 1 and 6 yards.
Linden (13-2) got touchdown runs from Julian Little (7 yards) and Anthony Robinson (55 yards) in the second quarter.
The Patriots had a 68-yard touchdown called back in third quarter due to holding and were penalized 12 times for 92 yards, both Super Six records.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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