RCHS claimed the No. 2 seed out of 3A, Region 4 with a hard-fought 32-22 win over Dadeville Friday in Wedowee. Dadeville held an RCHS run attack that came into the game averaging over 300 yards per game to just 175 yards, but Avion Willis completed 8-of-10 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown and RCHS got an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Mo Winston.
The win assures RCHS of playing at home in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs in two weeks against W.S. Neal.
The teams battled to a 0-0 tie through the first quarter before RCHS broke through for a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Blaine Barber. Dadeville tied it with a touchdown on its next possession, but Winston’s big return immediately gave the Tigers a 13-7 lead on the ensuing kickoff.
RCHS used a dramatic finish to the first half to go into the locker room with a 19-14 lead as Willis connected with Gavin Wortham on a 25-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the half.
RCHS never trailed again after that. Winston had a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and Austin Terrell scored from two yards out in the fourth to help send the Tigers to their eighth win of the season.
It was tough running for the vaunted RCHS ground game, as Winston led the team with 19 carries for 75 yards. Terrell finished with 55 yards on 11 carries in a game in which RCHS’s longest run went for 12 yards.
But Winston also caught two passes for 57 yards, and six of Willis’s eight completions went for 16 yards or more.
The Tigers are now 8-1 and will close out the regular season next week at Ranburne.
Clay Central 30, Russell County 14
Central head coach Danny Horn picked up his 350th career win with a 30-14 victory over Russell County in Lineville Friday. Horn is second on the all-time wins list in state history, just three games behind UMS-Wright’s Terry Curtis.
Horn is also just one win away from his first 10-0 regular season since 2008, his final year at the old Clay County High School, which is now closed.
The Vols can close out that perfect season and give Horn win number 351 if they can defeat Wetumpka on the road next week.
Other scores
Handley 35, Munford 14
Wadley 47, TCC 0
Ranburne 64, Central Coosa 39
Isabella 55, Woodland 14
