Author: Emily Wooten

Sylvania pulls away from Geraldine to advance to semifinals
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Sylvania pulls away from Geraldine to advance to semifinals

Sylvania defensive lineman Ashdon Cooley (51), Ky Shankles (56), Aspen Cooley (69), and Brant Kittle (33) rush Geraldine quarterback Jaxon Colvin in Friday’s third round playoff game. Jason Corbin / Special to Southern Torch

By Roger Scott
Special to Southern Torch

SYLVANIA, Ala. – The Sylvania Rams relied on a strong running game and defensive pressure to advance to the AHSAA 3A semifinals with a 27-7 victory over Geraldine Friday night at Rams Stadium.

With the victory, the Rams advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1994.

Geraldine, with momentum in its corner after upset wins over No.5 Winfield and No. 1 Mars Hill Bible, was trying to advance to the next round and avenge a 41-24 loss to Sylvania earlier in the season.

Senior running back Braiden Thomas found running room behind the Rams offensive line all night on his way to four touchdowns.

“Braiden continues to do what he’s been doing. The offensive line has done a really good job of giving him some creases, and he rushed for 300 yards. He’s done a really good job of stepping up his game,” said Sylvania head coach Tyler Vann.

“He’ll be the first one to tell you that our o-line gets a lot of the credit for that.”

In a tight first half, Geraldine received the kickoff and was forced to punt on its opening drive. Sylvania advanced the ball to the Geraldine 7-yard-line before Jaxon Colvin recovered a fumble to regain possession with :58 left in the first quarter.

Geraldine methodically moved the ball down field on its possession, but failed to convert a fourth-down pass attempt. Geraldine’s defense returned the favor and forced a Sylvania punt with 4:14 left in the half.

The Bulldogs were moving the ball on a promising drive when it lost tailback Carlos Mann for the game.

Mann took a pass from Colvin and outran the Sylvania defense for a would-be touchdown, but he stopped and fell to the sideline with the non-contact injury with 2:35 left in the half.

When the game continued, Ashdon Cooley pressured Colvin and batted away a third-down pass, but Geraldine converted the fourth down attempt to keep the drive alive.

On the next play, Colvin and running back Caleb Hall muffed the exchange and Sylvania recovered the ball at its 34-yard line with 1:15 left in the half.

The Rams moved quickly behind two Thomas 15-yard gains, and Jaxon Smith found Landon Watkins for another 15-yard pickup. Smith got near the goal line on a quarterback keeper, and Thomas powered it in out of the wildcat formation for the 7-0 score after the PAT.

Sylvania’s Braiden Thomas (22) is brought down by Geraldine’s Kenneth Watson (78) Friday during the teams’ third-round matchup.  Jason Corbin / Special to Southern Torch

“I thought our defense played really well in the first half. Once our guys got settled in against some formations we hadn’t seen much, they really struggled to block us,” Vann said.

“Aspen, Ashdon, Ky, and Kittle all played well up front, and it changed the game for us defensively.”

In the second half, Sylvania’s offense relied on its run game to score three more touchdowns.

The Rams received the kickoff and Thomas burst through the line for a 72-yard score with 10:34 left in the third quarter and the 14-0 lead after Conner Andrade’s PAT.

On Geraldine’s next possession, Sylvania forced a three-and-out. The Rams offensive line began to control the game and took just a minute off the clock before Thomas again punched it in for the 21-0 lead after the PAT with 6:09 in the third quarter.

“This is three games in a row against playoff competition that we’ve been able to rush for more than 350 yards,” Vann said. “Teams have to put people in the box, and it opens up our pass game and play actions. We didn’t really have to throw it Friday night, but we will need to be able to throw it against [Piedmont],” Vann said.

On its next possession, Caleb Hall gained tough yards out of the backfield for Geraldine and moved the ball into Sylvania territory, but the Bulldogs failed to convert a fourth-and-long pass to turn the ball over on downs with 2:31 in the third quarter.

Sophomore back Aiden Parham picked up a 20-yard gain to move onto Geraldine’s side of the field, but Smith just missed Watkins on a fourth-and-long route to turn the ball over on downs.

Geraldine gained a little momentum on its possession when Colvin hit Cody Satterfield for the 52-yard strike-and-score across the middle. The PAT was good to make the score 21-7.

Geraldine forced a Sylvania punt to regain possession with 8:33 in the fourth quarter and moved the ball through the air with a flip pass to Satterfield and a pass to Hall to get to the Sylvania 12-yard line. On a key play in the game, Jonah Gurley broke up a pass to Elijah Schlageter and Thomas pulled in the interception to end the threat with 5:12 left in the game.

“We tackled better on the back end better than we had the previous two games, and that was huge for us,” Vann said.

Two plays later, Thomas put the game away with a 78-yard scamper for the score with 4:10 left. The Rams failed to convert on the 2-point attempt to leave the final score at 27-7.

Geraldine finishes the year at 9-4 in Bulldogs coach Michael Davis’ second season. The Rams move to 10-3 and will travel to take on 3A Region 6 rival Piedmont for an opportunity to play in the AHSAA Super 7 on Dec.1.

Sylvania wins OT playoff thriller over Madison Academy
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Sylvania wins OT playoff thriller over Madison Academy

Sylvania’s Braiden Thomas (22) runs for the score against Madison Academy in the second round of the AHSAA playoffs.  Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

Roger Scott
Special to Southern Torch

MADISON, Ala. – It was a tale of two halves, defensive adjustments, and a series of spectacular plays for the Sylvania Rams in an overtime win at Madison Academy Friday night in the second round of the AHSAA playoffs.

The Mustangs (8-2 overall, 6-0 in 3A Region 7) built a 35-21 lead going into halftime before the Rams (8-3 overall, 5-2 in 3A Region 6) dominated the last two quarters and overtime for the 48-45 victory.

“The offense did a really good job. We had a lot of yards, and our line did a good creating room for [Aiden] Parham and [Braiden] Thomas,” said Sylvania Head Coach Tyler Vann. “You should be able to win when you score 48 points in a game.”

Sylvania opened the scoring at 7:50 in the first quarter with a 34-yard scamper up the middle by sophomore back Aiden Parham. Conner Andrade’s PAT was good.

After the kickoff, Mustangs back Ken Cherry bounced outside for a 38-yard gain, and on fourth-and-one from the 4-yard-line Carson Creehan found Jackson Reece for the score. Neil Radak’s PAT was good for the 7-7 tie with 5:13 in the first quarter.

On Sylvania’s next possession, Mario Brewer, Jr. picked off Jaxon Smith’s pass, and the Mustangs scored on the next play. The PAT was good.

The Rams moved down the field behind the running back duo of Braiden Thomas and Parham, and Thomas finished the drive with a 40-yard touchdown run.  The snap on the PAT was mishandled, and the Mustangs led 14-13 with 11:51 in the second quarter.

On the Mustangs’ next possession, Judson Collins caught a bubble screen and broke through for the 54-yard score and the 21-13 lead.

“Defensively, not a very good job in the first half. We didn’t get lined up correctly early in the game, and they did a really good job up front against us,” Vann said. “They were able to create some lanes for their running backs, and we didn’t do a good job tackling.”

On its next possession, the Rams capped a 60-yard drive with a Thomas touchdown run of 32 yards. Sylvania tied the game with a two-point conversion from Smith to Landon Watkins with just over 8:00 in the half.

The Mustangs weren’t done with its first-half flurry of touchdowns, as Cherry had another long gain and then finished the drive with a 28-yard score. The Mustangs then stopped Sylvania on a fourth down attempt and tacked on another score just before halftime for the 35-21 lead.

Sylvania’s Ky Shankles (56), Brant Kittle (33), and Aspen Cooley (69) celebrate a quarterback sack by Travis Owens (15) during overtime vs. Madison Academy.  Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

After being challenged by the coaches at halftime, Sylvania executed defensive adjustments and shut down Madison Academy in the third quarter. Thomas and Parham each had touchdown runs to tie the game at 35-35 with 4:40 left in the third quarter.

The Rams forced a three-and-out, Parham ran over a Mustangs defender for a big gain, and Smith completed a pass to Josh Scott to move to the 16-yard line. On fourth-and-1, however, the drive stalled on a mishandled snap.

Madison Academy took advantage of the mistake as the fourth quarter opened and drove the length of the field, scoring on a 28-yard scamper by Joshua Williams with 8:53 left in the game for the 42-35 lead.

Sylvania’s next drive ended on a tipped pass from Smith that was intercepted, but the Rams’ defensive pressure kept the team in the game by forcing another Mustangs three-and-out.

“We made some adjustments at halftime, and we were able to hold them to 10 points in the second half,” Vann said. “Really proud of how the defense played in the second half to keep us in the game and force them to drive the length of the field.”

After the punt, another big gain by Thomas was followed by Smith connecting with Scott for a 34-yard strike to move into Mustangs territory with just under 1:00 left, and the Rams capped the drive with another Smith-to-Scott connection for the touchdown. A penalty call on the extra point forced a re-kick, and Andrade booted the critical 35-yard extra point to tie the game at 42.

“Smith made some plays in the passing game, Scott went up and got the football, and Andrade was able to make the clutch extra point, which was huge,” Vann said.

Creehan led the Mustangs down the field with three completions to move Madison Academy into scoring position, but on second down, Scott leaped high for the one-handed interception with :13 seconds left to force overtime.

The Rams had gained the game’s momentum, and in the extra period, Creehan was sacked by freshman Travis Owens on first down. The Sylvania defensive backs knocked away the next two passes to force a field goal by the Mustangs.

On its overtime possession, Thomas bullied his way in from four yards out for the score and 48-45 victory that moved the Rams into the third round of the playoffs.

Sylvania finished with 596 yards of offense. Thomas finished with 254 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries, while Parham had 21 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. Smith finished 12-19 for 134 yards with a touchdown pass to Scott, who had 8 receptions for 104 yards and the score.

Sylvania will face Geraldine in an all-Dekalb County third-round playoff battle with the winner advancing to the semi-finals to play either Piedmont or Gordo.

Sylvania runs through Fayette County for first-round playoff victory
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Sylvania runs through Fayette County for first-round playoff victory

Sylvania’s Braiden Thomas (22) stiff-arms Fayette County’s Mason Dixon (3) during a run for a touchdown Friday night. Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

By Roger Scott
Special to Southern Torch

SYLVANIA, Ala. — Sylvania rushed for more than 380 yards behind senior back Braiden Thomas and sophomore Aiden Parham to cruise to a 35-6 victory over Fayette County.

Fayette County (8-3 overall and 4-2 in 3A, Region 5) visited Rams Stadium in the first round of the AHSAA Football Playoffs.

“I thought our guys played well. Found a way to win the game and dominate the game for the most part. We turned the ball over three times, and our defense held them out [of the end zone] all three times,” said Sylvania Head Coach Tyler Vann.

“I think it shows what this team is about. When adversity hits, they continue to fight. Really proud of the way they played,” Vann said. “Any time you can have [more than 380 yards rushing] and dominate the ball game its going to be a good night.”

The Tigers received the opening kickoff and picked up a couple of first downs before Sylvania forced a fumble at its own 43-yard line. Thomas gained 17 yards on a rush, and quarterback Jaxon Smith completed a 15-yard strike to sophomore receiver Josh Scott.

Thomas then carried it in for the 13-yard touchdown with 6:38 in the first quarter. Conner Andrade’s PAT was good for the 7-0 score.

Fayette County had a promising second possession but was plagued with false start penalties and failed to convert a fourth-and-13 pass at Sylvania’s 19-yard line.

The Rams couldn’t capitalize, though, as Smith and Parham mishandled the exchange on a handoff and turned the ball over to the Tigers. Fayette County put itself behind the chains with penalties and again failed to convert on fourth down from the Sylvania 30-yard line.

Thomas and Parham went to work on the ground and Scott hauled in a pass from Smith to move to the Tigers’ 16-yard line. Thomas then took in a direct snap for the touchdown. Sylvania led 14-0 with 7:00 in the second quarter after Andrade’s PAT.

“On offense, thanks to our line, Braiden and Aiden were able to have big night. [Thomas] ran for more than 220 yards, and [Parham] had another 150 or so,” Vann said.

Sylvania defensive players wait for the call from the sideline Friday night vs. Fayette County in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs. Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

The Rams forced a punt on the Tigers’ next drive, and Parham then scampered 70 yards for another Sylvania touchdown at 5:08 left in the half. The PAT was good for the 21-0 lead.

“I thought the kickoff unit did a really good job. Landon Pritchett stood out as our special teams player of the week,” Vann said. “I liked the way our guys played up front on both sides of the football, and our linebackers played well. Proud of the whole group, he said.

Fayette County got on the board with its next possession on a 34-yard touchdown pass by Blake Johnson. The 2-point attempt was no good. At the half, the score was 21-6 in favor of Sylvania.

After a Sylvania turnover in the third quarter, Johnson completed a pass to Cooper Sanford to move to the Sylvania 11-yard line, but Griffin Haygood picked off Johnson’s fade pass in the corner of the end zone to end the threat.

Sylvania dominated most of the second half, as the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and Thomas bolted for scores of 51 and 42 yards to make the final score 35-6.

“Huge win for [us]. Moving forward, it’s day-by-day and trying to find a way to win this week and move on to the next round,” Vann said.

Sylvania travels to Madison Academy for its second-round matchup Friday night.