CULLMAN COUNTY – Winning by large margins and domination on the field plus the scoreboard were the trends for area prep football in the second week of the 2016 regular season.
The Fairview Aggies and Cullman Bearcats shook off the effects of tough losses to kick off the new season by coming back with one-sided routs and plenty of points to show for them. Fairview blitzed East Lawrence 56-14 in a game played at West Point Stadium with Cullman showing they were more superior than North Jackson, crushing the Chiefs at Oliver Woodard Stadium 45-14.
Addison used its experience in the second half to wear down a hungry Hanceville team 46-20 in the latest edition of the battle of the Bulldogs.
Holly Pond erased a 6-0 deficit at Brindlee Mountain after the first quarter, scoring three times in the second half that keyed a 33-20 triumph, and continue to stay in the ranks of the undefeated.
Cold Springs got into a tight encounter in Fayette County with Berry, but fell to the Wildcats 26-24. West Point was unable to slow down Wilson in heading to the Florence area 41-13 while Meek was hit hard and shut out on the road in Hubbertville 28-0.
The second week began on Thursday in a thrilling finish with Vinemont getting a TD in the final 23 seconds, getting by rival Good Hope 14-7.
Fairview's offense could not be contained after one quarter in playing East Lawrence for the first time since 2001. The Aggies reached the Eagles' end zone four times in the first 12:00, but gave up a kickoff return and another score and was ahead only 28-14.
But the Aggies would not be denied, with four more touchdowns, two in the second quarter and the record evened at 1-1 by dominating the opponent and the scoreboard 56-14.
This is the most points scored by a George Redding squad since his Aggies had a couple of 55-point efforts in wins over Locust Fork and Sardis in 2012. The 28 points after one quarter is by far the best by a local team just two weeks into the new season.
Cullman got caught with a weather delay, not able to start its home opener until 8 p.m. with North Jackson. The delay didn't dampen the spirit of the Bearcats. It just got them motivated more to go out and take a 17-7 first quarter lead on the No. 7 squad in the state's 4A poll.
The Bearcats led 31-14 when the game reached halftime and went to the fourth period in complete control, holding a 45-14 advantage. This allowed Mark Britton's Bearcats to end a two-game losing streak at Oliver Woodard Stadium and more than likely, knock North Jackson out of the Top Ten when the new 4A poll comes out in the middle of next week.
Cullman prevented North Jackson coach Mark Rose from getting his 100th victory with the Chiefs. Rose is 99-25 in 11 seasons, the winningest coach in school history.
Down in Hanceville, the debut for the Bulldogs with new leader Craig Flanigan was a shootout after the first half. In just the second quarter, Hanceville and Addison had two scoring drives, combining for 272 yards of offense in that period with big plays by big time players for both.
Hanceville's BJ Smalls scored twice on a 15-yard run that ended an impressive 80-yard drive. He followed that with a superb 70-yard dash down the left sidelines that got the Bulldogs back in the game by intermission at 21-14.
Addison quarterback Noah Rice blasted through a hole on the first play of the second for 69 yards and would hit pay dirt again later in the period when he scored from the 10-yard line to cap off a short drive that was set up by a huge kickoff return from Chandler Cookenmaster.
Addison took control by forcing Hanceville into three turnovers in the third period that led to 13 points with Rice picking up a fumble, going 40 yards for the TD on the final play of the quarter and Addison led 34-14.
The visitors used great field position to put away Hanceville in the fourth, heading back to Winston County with their 30th victory under current coach David Smothers in 45 games. Addison is 6-1 against Cullman County teams and has now won three straight in the renewal of the series with Hanceville.
To continue its winning streak, Holly Pond had to fight from behind with rival Brindlee Mountain. The Broncos overcame a 6-0 first quarter disadvantage, leading 12-6 with two scores in the second period and extending the margin to 18-6 after the third.
Brindlee Mountain made it close in the fourth, reducing the Bronco lead to 26-20 before Holly Pond sealed it with a late touchdown. The Broncos have won three straight games and ended a three-game losing skid to the Lions with their first victory in the series since 2012.
Mike Bates' Broncos extended Brindlee Mountain's losing streak at home to 10 games. The Lions have not been victorious at home since they shut out Holly Pond in the 2014 season opener 21-0. Cold Springs and Berry swapped the lead on the scoreboard six times Friday night. The Eagles were behind 20-17 in the fourth quarter when they rallied and regained the advantage at 24-20. However, the Wildcats got the game winner late as Berry quarterback James Raines threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns to become the Wildcats' all-time leading passer.
Cold Springs was in the Fayette area for the first time since the 1999 season. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they have never won at Berry, now 0-4 and 0-7 all-time in games played down in west central Alabama, between Fayette and Lamar counties.
West Point was playing well early with Florence in the battle of the Warriors in the northwest corner of the state. But Wilson cut loose with three TDs in the second period and West Point trailed 28-6.
The Warriors were unable to recover and now go into September 0-2.
Vinemont was able to scout Locust Fork Friday night after the Eagles played Thursday in their dramatic victory at Good Hope.
Locust Fork held off Pisgah 30-24 to go 2-0 and set up the 3A, Region 6 opener for both next weekend in Vinemont. The Eagles celebrated winning the season opener for the first time in three years as Garrett Boland scored the game winner with 23 seconds left on a run from the 6-yard line around left end.
Standout performers from the second week of the season include:
BJ Smalls of Hanceville, 202 yards rushing, two touchdowns vs. Addison.
Noah Rice of Addison, 92 yards rushing, two touchdowns, one fumble return for a score vs. Hanceville.
Ben Robinson, 148 yards rushing, two touchdowns vs. Hanceville. Scored on first play of the game 65 yards out.
Cullman quarterback Fletcher Jennings threw for four touchdowns, Dawson Drake caught two TD passes in the Bearcats' rout of seventh-ranked North Jackson.
Logan Brooks of Fairview rushed for four touchdowns, quarterback Ragan Ashley ran for a score and threw for a TD vs. East Lawrence.
Holly Pond remained undefeated behind three rushing TDs from RB Caleb Jones and two by quarterback Michael Lambert in their come from behind victory at Brindlee Mountain.
Garrett Boland of Vinemont threw for 143 yards, scored a touchdown with Colby Nicholas catching six passes for 62 yards, three for 39 in the game winning drive with Good Hope.
Now the teams prepare for the start of September and the beginning of regional play in the AHSAA.
Only three games will be in the county next Friday with Vinemont hosting Locust Fork and Holly Pond entertaining undefeated J.B. Pennington in 3A, Region 6 and Cold Springs taking on Tarrant in 2A, Region 7. These are the home openers for Vinemont and Holly Pond.
Cullman will head to meet 2-0 Albertville for the 6A, Region 7 opener for both schools, Fairview is at Corner and West Point goes to Hayden in 5A, Region 6 play.
Hanceville loads up for a bus ride to Fultondale in 3A, Region 6, with Good Hope taking a journey to Fayette County for the 4A, Region 6 opener.
Addison has Southeastern coming to A.G. Hicks Stadium for its first assignment in 1A, Region 7. Meek will also be in a 1A, Region 7, playing host to the Lynn Bears.
All games will kick off at 7 p.m.
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