Tag: Sylvania Rams

Sylvania wins OT playoff thriller over Madison Academy
by

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
by

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.

Sylvania rushing attack, takeaways overwhelm Pisgah
by

Sylvania rushing attack, takeaways overwhelm Pisgah

Sylvania’s Brant Kittle (33) celebrates after the offense pushes the Pisgah defensive line for a big gain on Friday night. Jason Corbin / Special to Southern Torch

Rams' running game finishes with 350 yards; defense forces six turnovers

By Roger Scott | Special to Southern Torch

PISGAH, Ala. — In a highly-anticipated showdown between neighboring teams, Sylvania’s offense ran wild and the defense had six takeaways against Pisgah en route to a 34-7 victory Friday night.

Braiden Thomas and Aiden Parham found room all night behind an offensive line that created space for the running backs, while the Rams’ defense forced turnovers that killed several promising drives for the Eagles.

“I was really pleased with our run game — our line and our backs. We missed a few blocks up front, but we were able to run the ball well,” said Sylvania Head Coach Tyler Vann.

“On defense, we forced six turnovers — and they were forced — our guys had to make plays to make them happen.”

Pisgah received the opening kick, and on its first play handed off to Legion McCrary, who ran around left end for a big gain that included a penalty at the end of the run. 

Pisgah was flagged for holding on the next play and then missed on a pass, but McCrary was able to reverse field on second down for a 22-yard gain. On 3rd-and- 4, the Rams’ defense stopped Eagles’ quarterback Mason Holcomb on a designed run and broke up a fourth down pass attempt to take over on downs.

Sylvania quarterback Jaxon Smith was intercepted by Luke Gilbert on its opening drive, and the Eagles took over on its own 30-yard line.

After a 15-yard gain through the air, McCrary gained another first down on the ground and the Eagles continued to chew up yards with another first down on a pass from Holcomb to Gilbert. 

Holcomb moved the ball to the 3-yard line on a quarterback keeper, then McCrary punched it in for Pisgah’s only score of the evening with 2:07 left in the first quarter. Dalton Johnson added the PAT for a 7-0 lead in favor of the Eagles.

On Sylvania’s first play after the kickoff, Parham ran 63 yards for the score. Conner Andrade’s PAT was good, and the game was tied at 7-7.

After the kickoff, Holcomb completed a pass to Jakob Kirby for a first down, but Sylvania’s Jonah Gurley snagged the interception on the next play.  The Rams moved the ball on the ground behind Parham and Sylvania quarterback Jaxon Smith, and Thomas capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, and Sylvania held a 14-7 lead with 9:40 in the second quarter.

Pisgah navigated down field on its next drive, but a holding penalty against the Eagles erased a touchdown throw from Holcomb to Grant Smith. A few plays later, John Robert Dixon intercepted Holcomb in the end zone for a touchback.

“I was really pleased with our defense. We flew to the football. When you get multiple hats on the ball, you can afford to miss one or two tackles,” Vann said. 

“I look forward to seeing what our defense can do the rest of the year,” he said.

Thomas had a 46-yard gain on the next drive, and then punched it in from two yards out for the score. The PAT was no good, and Sylvania increased its lead to 20-7 just before halftime.

Sylvania received the kickoff to open the second half, and the Eagles defense stayed stout and forced a turnover on downs on its own 42-yard line.

The Rams returned the favor and forced a Pisgah punt with 9:19 in the third quarter. After a first down on the ground, Smith connected with freshman receiver Landon Watkins, who outran defenders for a 71-yard touchdown. Andrade’s PAT was good, and Sylvania blew the game open at 27-7 with 6:23 in the third quarter.

“If we’re going to make a deep run in the playoffs, we have to throw it better. We want to be multiple, and it’s something we’re going to work on moving forward, Vann said. “Jaxon did some good things, and I had us in some bad plays.” 

Pisgah cost itself field position on the kickoff with a penalty, and started the next drive at its 15-yard line.

Luke Gilbert took a screen pass from Holcomb for a big gain, but Thomas stripped the ball at the 44-yard line on the tackle and Sylvania gained possession of the ball.

Kirby intercepted Smith’s pass on the next drive and returned it to the Sylvania 47-yard line to give Pisgah a spark, but Dixon and Gurley broke up a long pass in the end zone, and Brant Kittle brought down Holcomb on fourth down to give the Rams the ball.

Parham then ripped off a 34-yard gain, Smith picked 14 yards on a run to the 10-yard line, and Thomas took a screen pass in for the score. Andrade was good again on the PAT, and the Rams went up 34-7 with just over eleven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Pisgah opened its next possession at its 36-yard line, and on third-and-12, Holcomb found a streaking Kirby on a pass to the Sylvania 16-yard line. Kittle pressured Holcomb as he dropped back and freshman Travis Owens scooped the interception for another Sylvania takeaway.

On a third-and-6 play that capped Sylvania’s impressive performance on the ground, a host of Rams piled in behind Thomas for a 26-yard, rugby-style gain. Sylvania was unable to complete the drive, however, and turned the ball over on downs at the Pisgah 48-yard line.

Holcomb completed a 17-yard strike to Smith, and hit Kirby on a screen pass, but Kittle and Owens again combined to knock the ball loose. Owens recovered the fumble at the Sylvania 36-yard line, and the Rams ran out the clock to close the game.

Sylvania finished with 358 yards rushing and more than 460 yards of total offense. Parham and Thomas both eclipsed 100 yards; Thomas finished with 147 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns, while Parham finished with 168 yards on 16 carries. Watkins finished with 87 yards receiving, and Smith was 5-of-10 for 103 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

For Pisgah, Holcomb finished with 217 yards passing and three interceptions, while McCrary had 65 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Sylvania and Pisgah both return to region play this week. The Rams are at home against Glencoe, while the Eagles host Whitesburg Christian.

Sylvania muscles past Geraldine to earn region victory
by

Sylvania muscles past Geraldine to earn region victory

Braiden Thomas (center, 22) gains first-down yardage against Geraldine Friday. Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

By Roger Scott | For Southern Torch
roger@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala. — Sylvania earned an important 41-24 win over Geraldine Friday night at Coolidge Isbell Field.

The Rams’ defense forced multiple turnovers and relied on their offense as Geraldine failed to capitalize on good field position in the 3A, Region 6 battle.

“On the whole, I was pleased with our effort, despite the injuries we had during the game. We had guys come in and step up, and I was proud of them,” said Sylvania Head Coach Tyler Vann.

Sylvania received the opening kickoff and moved down the field in six plays behind running backs Braiden Thomas and Aiden Parham and a 17-yard strike from Jaxon Smith to Josh Scott.

Parham went around left end from four yards out for the touchdown with 8:54 left in the first quarter. Sylvania’s two-point conversion attempt was no good.

“Jaxon did a good job managing the game, putting the ball where it needed to go, and making good decisions,” Vann said.

Geraldine went to work on its own 35-yard line after the kickoff and moved the ball behind a steady dose of running back Caleb Hall and direct snaps to Carlos Mann.

Sylvania’s defense pressured Bulldog quarterback Jaxon Colvin on third down, and he couldn’t connect with Mann in the end zone. Garcia kicked the field goal, and with 1:26 left in the first, Sylvania led 6-3.

Geraldine’s defense played tough on Sylvania’s next possession and forced a punt early in the second quarter. Colvin then found Mann behind the defense on a wheel route for a 66-yard score, allowing Geraldine to grab a 10-6 lead at 9:43 in the second quarter.

On Sylvania’s next possession, the Bulldogs missed a key opportunity for an interception on a tipped pass from Smith that landed in receiver Roman McKeehan’s hands at the Geraldine 32-yard line.

Thomas then caught a pass and Parham moved a pile of Bulldogs to the 14-yard line before Smith connected with Scott in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Andrade’s PAT was good, and Sylvania led 13-10 with 4:00 left in the second quarter.

Vann was pleased with the Rams’ offensive line and running backs against the Bulldogs.

“I felt like early in the game [the offensive line] opened some holes for our backs; they’ve been playing well all year,” Vann said. “They were able to find the holes and gain yards down the field.”

Mann found room down the left side on the kickoff to give the Bulldogs good field position at their own 45-yard line, but Sylvania defensive back Griffin Haygood tipped a Colvin pass that Jonah Gurley caught for the interception.

Jonah Gurley (25) celebrates an interception with Drenon Townsel (52). Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch

Parham took a short pass from Smith and followed his blockers for a 56-yard gain to the Geraldine 4-yard line. Thomas then capped the scoring drive, and after the PAT, the Rams held a 20-10 lead with 3:00 left in the half.

The Rams created another Geraldine turnover when Ryan Koger caused a fumble on a Colvin completion to Cody Satterfield. Geraldine’s defense returned the favor by forcing a turnover on downs and then moving the ball into field goal range, but Garcia’s attempt was blocked at the end of the half.

Vann believes the defense was key to the Rams’ win.

“Defensively, we played a good game. We made Geraldine drive the ball down the field [throughout the game], even though we had a couple of bad plays where we got beat deep. We played hard,” Vann said.

In the second half, Hall cut across the field on the kickoff for a long return to the Sylvania 18-yard line. Mann scored another Bulldog touchdown with 10:53 in the third quarter. The PAT was good, and Geraldine closed the score to 20-17.

On Sylvania’s next possession, Smith was injured on a quarterback run. Sophomore Griffin Turner entered the game and engineered a scoring drive that included completions to McKeehan and Scott to the Geraldine 8-yard line.

Parham finished the drive, and Andrade’s PAT was good for the 27-17 lead with 6:48 in the third quarter.

“I was proud of the way Turner came in after Jaxon went down with an injury and managed to drive us down the field for the score. That’s impressive as a sophomore coming in with a bad situation in a must-win region game for us. He did a good job,” Vann said.

On Geraldine’s next possession, after a couple of runs on direct snaps to Mann, Colvin dropped back and was hit by Ashdon Cooley as he released the pass. Scott snagged the interception and returned it 50 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good and Sylvania held a 34-17 lead.

“I was proud of Josh [Scott], as well as [freshman] Travis Owens, who was our Defensive Player of the Week,” Vann said.

With 2:01 left in the third quarter, Mann again got open on a deep route and caught the throw from Colvin to move to the Sylvania 8-yard line. Mann scored off right end, and Garcia’s PAT made the score 34-24.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs recovered a Thomas fumble. Colvin couldn’t connect with Mann in the end zone, and missed again on a fourth-down pass to turn the ball over to the Rams at the 28-yard line with 7:36 left.

Thomas fueled Sylvania’s last drive, and he outran a Bulldog defender for a 48-yard touchdown with just over 5:00 left.  Geraldine couldn’t move the ball on its final possession, and the game ended with the final score of 41-24.

Sylvania (3-1 overall, 2-1 region play) is scheduled for a matchup against Pisgah, who is ranked as the No. 4 team in 2A.

Geraldine is now 3-2 overall and also 2-1 in region play. The Bulldogs are off this week and host Ohatchee Sept. 30.