Battle of the Best

Battle of the Best

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala. — As fans from each team filled the bleachers and lined the fences, the Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Collinsville Panthers 21-0 in the Class 2A Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Semifinal game on Friday night. 

Fyffe took no time to put points on the board, scoring with 7:22 remaining in the first on a one yard touchdown by Ike Rowell. The kick by Brody Dalton was good, giving the Red Devils the 7-0 lead.  

The Devils scored at the start of the second quarter with a 2-yard dash into the endzone by Rowell. The kick by Dalton was good, giving the Red Devils the 14-0 advantage going into the half.

The third quarter was back and forth between the two teams with neither team scoring. 

Rowell scored his third touchdown of the night bulldozing his way down the field for 18 yards, with 10:04 remaining in the game. The kick by Dalton was good, making the score 21-0.

Fyffe had a total of 296 yards for the night. They scored on their first two possessions of the game. They completed a long pass on each drive, Zach Pyron to Rowell for 66 yards and 46 yards. Pyron ran for 92 yards and passed for 112 yards. Rowell ran for 55 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. He also completed a 15-yard pass. 

Collinsville had 202 yards for the night. Kaleb Jones ran for 58 yards and passed for 120 yards.  Michael Tucker had 29 yards rushing and 80 yards receiving. The Collinsville Panthers finished the 2019 season with a 12-2 record. 

“Collinsville is such a great team. They are very physical. They stopped us a lot of the night. I had to run a couple of plays I had not run all year. That a tribute to them,” said Fyffe Head Coach Paul Benefield. “This was a great game for us. I am very proud of our kids. Fifteen weeks of games is a long time. We have played a lot of teams that are very physical. We have to get ready to go to Jordan-Hare now. Any time you can win a state semifinal, that's a great win.”

“I’ve got a great bunch of kids. I am proud of their play. They played so hard all year. They had a great team. They love each other,” said Collinsville Head Coach Ernie Willingham. “We knew we had to score some points, and we didn't. We had a couple of great chances but we didn't get the scores. Fyffe is such a great team. They are a machine. They have good kids and good parents. They expect to win. They are so fast this year. Coach Benefield has built such a great program.”  

Fyffe will return to the AHSAA Super 7 State Championship on Friday. The Red Devils will face the Reeltown Rebels. The game will begin at 3pm.

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