One down, four to go.
The Pickens County High School football team will return to the gridiron at 7 tonight when it takes on Brantley in a second-round Alabama High School Activities Association Class 1A playoff game.
Last week, Pickens County opened postseason play with a 49-8 victory against A.L. Johnson. That victory moved Pickens County four victories from this year’s state championship.
“We have taken the first step,” Pickens County coach Patrick Plott said. “The challenge is much greater this week. Bryant has one loss and is a mighty-fine ballclub. We will have to take advantage of all our opportunities on offense if we want to keep playing.”
Pickens County (10-1) started slow in the first-round win. The Tornadoes eventually found a second gear, scoring on all four second-half possessions and finishing with 348 yards, including 224 yards in the second half. Pickens County had only 2 rushing yards and led 14-8 at halftime.
“It looked like we were nervous in the first half,” Plott said. “I thought we had good focus and good intensity. However, we were a little off our game in the first half. We showed a great deal of leadership and character in the second half.
“We scored on the first possession of the second half and that broke (Johnson’s) spirit.”
Quarterback Devonte Simon was 12 of 17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. De’Marko Hall added 128 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns. The senior workhorse back has a school-record 38 touchdowns this season.
“Give a lot of credit to our defense, too,” Plott said. “While we were trying to a find a rhythm on offense, they did a great job of keeping us in the ballgame. They had one long drive in the first half. After that we settled down and made some plays. We played the physical type of ball on defense that you have to play be successful in the playoffs.”
Pickens County has excelled on defense. The Tornadoes are allowing 15 points per game. They have only allowed 29 points on their four-game win streak.
Brantley (9-1) won all six region games to capture the Region 2 championship. The Bulldogs have allowed 48 points this season. A 15-6 loss to Linden in the regular-season finale ended a season-opening eight-game win streak. Brantley bounced back to defeat Loachapoka 41-0 in the opening round of the playoffs last Friday.
“Offensively, they just find a way to score points,” Plott said. “The team is balanced and can attack you in a number of different places. Defensively, they have good size and speed. You have to take advantage of every opportunity you get against them.”
The Pickens County-Brantley winner will face the Sweet Water-Winterboro winner in the third round Nov. 18.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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