Fairhope 24, Foley 7

Pirates, Lions battle in 96th meeting for the Blue and Gold crown

Patrick Herring, GCM Sports
Posted 10/15/18

FOLEY -- The Blue and Gold Trophy was on the line Friday night when Foley hosted Fairhope for the 96th meeting between the two programs, a rivalry that dates back to 1931. When these two teams play, …

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Fairhope 24, Foley 7

Pirates, Lions battle in 96th meeting for the Blue and Gold crown

Posted

FOLEY -- The Blue and Gold Trophy was on the line Friday night when Foley hosted Fairhope for the 96th meeting between the two programs, a rivalry that dates back to 1931. When these two teams play, throw their records and rankings out the window because there will be a dog fight regardless. Fairhope escaped with a 24-7 win to keep their postseason hopes alive.

While no coach will admit to earning moral victories, the Lions definitely showed more fight in this game than any of their other six games, including a victory at Alma Bryant. Foley was more productive on both sides of the ball in keeping this a one possession game for about three quarters worth of play time.

For the Pirates, the game plan seemed simple, give senior running back Damell Bell the ball and allow him to punish the Lions. The “Bell” tolled three times on the night to score all of Fairhope's non-kicking points with three rushing touchdowns to go along with 147 yards on 26 carries. The coaches appeared content to ride the hot hand as the senior back wasn't given a break on offense until he fumbled late in the first half (although he recovered). Bell's fellow backs only accounted for three attempts.

Lions quarterback Clint White had one of his best outings of the season for Foley as the coaches opened the playbook and allowed him to showcase his ability as a runner. While he isn't a track star by any means, he showed a slipperiness and knack for fighting to get extra yardage. White rushed for 83 yards on the night, including a 5-yard sneak for the lone Foley touchdown.

Bell got the scoring started for Fairhope with back-to-back touchdown runs of 18 and 6 yards on the Pirates' first two possessions.

White marched the Lions right back to answer with his scoring run to cut the lead to 14-7. The score would stay there until early in the fourth quarter when Sam Rayborn knocked through a 48-yard field goal, which landed on the crossbar and fell through, to give the Pirates a two-score lead at 17-7.

With around four minutes left in the game, Bell drove the nail in the Lions' coffin with his final touchdown of the night from five yards out to push the final score to 24-7.

Foley drops to 1-6 on the year and as a team they have only scored 37 points on the season. They'll visit a 3-4 Mary G. Montgomery team next week that gives up just under 21 points per game. Perhaps the coaches and players can carry over some of the grit from this game to the rest of their schedule.

The Pirates have an open week before visiting winless Alma Bryant in what could be considered a tune-up game before they play 5-2 McGill Toolen Catholic in a game that could have major playoff implications.

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