Even though Spanish Fort took a commanding lead by halftime, Blount came from behind to create an exciting game as the Toros took a 52-49 region win on The Hill
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SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Friday’s game of the week lived up to expectations with the highly anticipated matchup of the Spanish Fort Toros hosting the Blount Leopards. Even though Spanish Fort took a commanding lead by halftime, Blount came from behind to create an exciting game as the Toros took a 52-49 region win.
Jack Samsel passed for 15-of-18 completions for 213 yards, one touchdown, and also rushed for a touchdown. Kris Abrams-Draine had seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown — a 17-yard pass from Samsel. The Toros added another touchdown on a Samsel 3-yard rush in the first quarter.
The Leopards scored on a 1-yard wildcat run by Trajan Pugh but 30 seconds later, Conner Hegan rushed for a 5-yard SF touchdown. Jeremiah Hixon returned a 53-yard punt for a Toros’ touchdown to make the score 28-7.
Blount responded back with a long drive that resulted in a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Davis. Spanish Fort added two touchdowns with an 11-yard run from Hegan and a 1-yard run by Abrams-Draine.
Blount also scored on a pass from Davis to Jamarcus Mauldin to end the first half 42-21.
In the second half, Pugh had two rushing touchdowns of 43 and 90 yards in the third quarter to make a 42-34 score in the Toros’ favor. It was a busy fourth quarter for both teams with big plays, and big mistakes. A 28-yard TD from Davis to Mauldin tied the score 42-42 with 10:58 left in the game.
The Toros’ Matthew Quinn kicked a 45-yard field goal to put SF back up 45-42.
Yet another key pass from Davis to his Mauldin for 40-yards helped set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Mauldin to give the Leopards their first lead of the game with a 49-45 score.
With six minutes left in the game, the Toros took advantage of a tired defense and pressed the ball on the ground. Spanish Fort‘s Dayton Reed broke through the interior of the defense and scored on a 13-yard run to make the score 52-49 with 2:26 left in the game.
Blount moved 62 yards in the last minutes of regulation, but the Leopards missed a 27-yard field goal to tie the game with six seconds left and send the game into overtime. This win gives the Toros a big lead in the 6A Region 1standings.
This Friday Spanish Fort (5-1) will travel to Foley (3-3) while the Leopards (4-3) face the LeFlore Rattlers (2-4).