REFORM, Ala. — When the Pickens County High School football team’s game against South Lamar began Friday night, Tornadoes coach Patrick Plott had his headset dialed in to the coaching box upstairs and his offensive game plan laminated and dangling from around his neck by a lanyard.
By the time the second half started, the headset was gone and the playsheet was only as an accessory. With his team leading 54-7, Plott didn’t need the items anymore, as the Tornadoes emptied the benches and went on to a 75-7 victory.
“We came out and jumped on them early and put them out of the game,” Plott said. “We took care of our business early. Every time we get a chance to get those (younger) guys a chance to get reps it means a lot to this program as a whole.”
Pickens County (2-0) scored 28 points in the opening quarter. The Tornadoes amassed 398 yards on offense and added two special teams touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Devonte Simon accounted for four scores in three ways, all in the first half. Simon was 4 of 7 for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a 21-yard score on his only carry, and added an 81-yard punt return for a score.
Simon’s two touchdown tosses on the first two possessions got the Tornadoes rolling. Simon connected with Laron Thomas on a 38-yard strike and hit Deonte’ Simon on a 30-yard touchdown.
“(South Lamar) was in a zone and my receivers did a good job of looking in the windows,” Simon said. “I just did my best to get them the ball.”
Pickens County’s reserves came on in the third quarter and sealed the deal. Freshman quarterback Christopher Perkins rushed three times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also completed both of his passes for 72 yards and another score.
Nine players had touchdowns for the Tornadoes.
“Those guys work just as hard as the starters do,” Plott said. “Sometimes they work even harder in practice because we make them push those starters. When it comes time for the game they are ready to score just as well.”
South Lamar scored on Judson Mitchell’s 81-yard kickoff return early in the second quarter. The Stallions (0-2) had 129 total yards.
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