By Barry Allen
Special to the Dispatch
REFORM, Ala. — The Pickens County High School football team’s high-powered offense was a late arrival Friday night, but once it took the field it proved costly for A.L. Johnson.
Pickens County scored on all four second-half possessions en route to a 49-8 win in an opening-round game of the Alabama High School Activities Association Class A playoffs at G.S. Spruill Stadium.
The Tornadoes (10-1) racked up 224 of their 348 yards in the second half, including 158 of their 160 rushing yards. Sophomore quarterback Devonte Simon was 12 of 17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
De’Marko Hall added 126 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns, giving him 38 touchdowns this season.
“We decided to come out in the second half and do what we were supposed to do,” Pickens County head coach Patrick Plott said. “A.L. Johnson had a lot to do with the first half, but we made some good adjustments at halftime.”
Hall touched the ball three times in the second half and scored twice. He extended the lead to 21-8 lead with a 5-yard run on the first possession of the third quarter. After a three-and-out by the defense, Hall then fielded a punt at the Eagles’ 42-yard line and raced for the touchdown that gave the Tornadoes a 28-8 lead.
“In the first half, they used some stunts and things we had some trouble with,” Hall said. “In the second half, we made some adjustments and came out and played Pickens County football. The defense did a great job, too.”
Simon threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to LaJuan Doss on next possession to make it 35-8. Pickens County added two fourth quarter touchdowns on a 7-yard run by Jamarcus Brown and a 29-yard run by Demakus Robins as the Tornadoes extended the lead to 49-8.
Hall scored two first-half touchdowns as the Tornadoes took a 14-8 lead at intermission. Hall scored the game’s first touchdown with a 14-yard run with nine minutes left in the first quarter.
A.L. Johnson (4-6) took an 8-6 lead when Lawrence Burrell scored on a 9-yard run to cap a 71-yard drive with 3 minutes, 6 second left in the first quarter. Castillo Huggins ran a successful two-point conversion to give the Eagles a two-point lead.
The lead was short-lived as the Tornadoes scored on the final play of the first quarter when Hall caught a 35-yard touchdown pass to give the Tornadoes a 14-8 lead.
Pickens County will travel to Brantley for a second-round game next Friday night.
n Washington County 56, Aliceville 28: At Aliceville, Ala., Washington County scored four third-quarter touchdowns to pull away from Aliceville in an opening-round game of the Alabama High School Activities Association Class 3A playoffs.
Playing a home playoff game for the first time in five seasons, Aliceville finishes the year at 5-6. Washington County improves to 9-2 and will face Walter Welborn in the second round.
The Yellow Jackets sprinted to a quick 12-0 lead thanks to touchdowns passes from Christopher Crowell to Demario Lanier. Crowell hit Lanier for a 67-yard score and a 26-yard score.
Washington County took the lead for good with a touchdown in the final half-minute of the first half. Dane Howard hit Cody Reed for a 7-yard touchdown. That scoring strike placed Washington County on top 19-12 at halftime.
After spotting Aliceville the early 12-0 lead, the Bulldogs scored the game’s next 47 points.
The second-half Aliceville touchdowns included a 1-yard run by Terry Mayhew and a Crowell to Joe Robinson 46-yard touchdown pass.
Aliceville finished with 16 first downs and 329 yards. However, the Yellow Jackets were done in by six turnovers. Crowell was 8 of 19 with three touchdowns and four interceptions for 168 yards. Mayhew ran 22 times for 160 yards and one touchdown.
n Lineville 50, Lamar County 23: At Lineville, Ala., Lamar County saw its season end with a defeat to Lineville in an opening-round Alabama High School Activities Association Class 2A playoff game.
Lineville improves to 8-3 and will face Oakman in the second round. Lamar County finishes the year at 6-5.
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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