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

COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — The Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Collinsville Panthers, 54-0 on Friday night in regional play.

Fyffe scored three touchdowns in the first quarter. With 8:54 remaining in the first quarter, Kyle Dukes brought in the first touchdown from 1-yard out. The kick by Ike Rowell gave Fyffe the 7-0 advantage.  Rowell had a 37-yard interception return for the second touchdown of the night.  The kick by Rowell made the score 14-0, with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter.  With 2:16 remaining in the first quarter, Malachi Mize made a 21-yard gallop into the endzone.  The extra point attempt by Brody Dalton put the Devils in the driver’s seat with a 21-0 advantage. 

Rowell scored with 10:11 remaining in the second quarter on a 62-yard run.  The kick by Dalton gave the Red Devils the 28-0 lead.  Justin Stiefel scored on a 19-yard run with 7:37 remaining in the first half.  The extra point failed but gave Fyffe the 34-0 advantage.  Simon Hicks scored on a 29-yard stampede into the endzone with 2:45 remaining in the second quarter.  The extra point attempt by Dalton gave Fyffe the 41-0 advantage going into the half. 

Hunter Machen scored for the Red Devils, with 0:31 remaining in the third quarter on an 8-yard dash into the endzone.  The extra-point attempt by Yahir Balcazor was good, making the score 47-0.

Machen crashed in from 23-yards out, late in the fourth quarter, making the final for the Big Red Machine, 54-0. 

“It was a really complete game with offense, defense, and special teams all executing well. We are always proud to get our first region win and always good to get a win on the road,” stated Fyffe Head Coach Paul Benefield. 

 Ike Rowell scored a defensive touchdown with a 44-yard interception return, blocked a punt, and led the Red Devils in rushing with 86 yards and another score as Fyffe won its 32nd game in a row with a 54-0 win over Collinsville. The victory was the 299th of head coach Paul Benefield’s coaching career. Fyffe has won 59 of its last 60 games and the winning streak of 32 games is the longest current football winning streak in the AHSAA.  Benefield will have a chance to join the very elite 300 Wins Club in the AHSAA this Friday when the Red Devils face Sylvania in a Class 3A, Region 7 battle at home.