ADDISON, Ala. – Addison hosted the Appalachian Eagles in a first-round playoff matchup at A.G. Hicks Stadium and came away with an impressive, 66-22 victory. Addison improves to 9-2 and will travel to County Rival Lynn to play the 10-1 Bears on Friday. The game may be moved to Thursday due to the holiday, but the decision will be made later this week.
Addison kicked off to the Eagles and after three plays the Eagles had lost 11 yards and punted. Brian “Boo Boo” Berry returned the punt 21 yards to the Eagle 25-yard line. It only took the Dawgs four plays to go the distance with Berry running it in from 2 yards out for his first touchdown of the night. Berry also ran in the two-point conversion to give Addison the 8-0 lead with 8:13 to go in the first quarter. The four-play drive would be one of the longer scoring drives on the night for the Bulldogs.
The Eagles lived by the big play on this night and found one with a 47-yard bomb down to the Dawgs 1-yard line. Eagle QB Sean Curtis ran it in from a yard out and after the failed two-point try, Addison led 8-6 with 5:46 left in the first.
The Eagles forced Addison to punt and Josh “West Coast” Netherton boomed a 50-yard punt all the way down to the Eagle 13-yard line. The Eagles then drove into Addison territory with a consistent run game, their only sustained drive all night. Addison’s Hayden “Big Play” Holland nailed the Eagle ball carrier forcing a fumble, which he recovered himself. Two plays later Addison’s Berry rambled 53 yards for his second touchdown of the night. The two-point was no good and Addison had increased their lead to 14-6.
Appalachian then used a tremendous catch and run from Curtis to Caydon Whittington for 55 yards all the way down to the Bulldog 7-yard line. Curtis then found Whittington from 5-yards out for the touchdown pass. The two-point was good, and the fans thought that they were in for a barnburner as the score was knotted up at 14.
On Addison’s next play from scrimmage, Berry galloped 62 yards for his third touchdown of the night. The two-point was no good and the Dawgs had taken a 20-14 lead with 7:19 to go in the half.
The Bulldogs forced an Eagle punt and Mr. Berry returned the punt 60 yards all the way down to the Eagle 20-yard line. Addison’s Briley “Hit Man” Holt took the handoff and again, on Addison’s first offensive play of the drive ran 20 yards for the touchdown. Holt also scored the two-point conversion and Addison led 28-14 at the half.
The Bulldogs got the second half kickoff and cashed it in for another touchdown. This time it was Briley “Snake” Hayes running it in from 45-yards out for the score. The point after was no good and with 10:04 left in the third quarter, Addison took a comfortable 34-14 lead.
On the Eagle’s next possession, after a Caleb “The Animal” Vintson sack, Bradley “Big Foot” Willette intercepted an Eagle pass and huffed and puffed his way 40-yards for the pick six. It is always fun when a big ole defensive lineman intercepts a pass and rambles into the endzone. Holt scored the two-point conversion and Addison was pulling away at 42-14.
The Eagles were very giving on this evening because on their next possession Netherton picked off the Eagle QB and returned the ball 79 yards, all the way down to the Eagle 12-yard line. Hayes found Wilkins in the endzone for a fourth and ten pass play from 12-yards out for the score. Hayes connected to Wilkins again for the two-point conversion and the rout was on as the score was now 50-14.
Appalachian wouldn’t quit and were able to score on another long pass play. Garrett Helms found Cameron Vick 50 yards down the sideline for the score. The two-point was good, and the lead was cut to 50-22 with 2:14 to go in the third quarter.
After a Jed “Wizard” Wilkins 36-yard kickoff return down to the Eagle 29-yard line, Hayes found Brady “Big Poppa” Gilbreath for a 29-yard touchdown catch and run. It was Addison’s third offensive series of the night where they scored on the first play. Hayes ran in the two-point play and the Bulldogs were up 58-22 with 1:43 to go in the third quarter.
The Bulldog bench was cleared, and the young ones got to finish it out. Addison’s defense scored again as Jaxson “Terminator” Williams tackled the Eagle running back in the endzone for a safety pushing the score to 60-22.
The young pups scored a touchdown of their own as Kaden Dyson took it in from 9 yards out for the last Addison touchdown. This brought the score to 66-22 and this is how it ended.
Addison played a solid game and though they gave up a few big plays they dominated the visitors from Blount County.
Unofficial stats:
Addison had 29 rushing plays for 317 yards. Addison had 12 passing plays for 58 yards. Addison had 41 total plays for 375 total yards. Addison had 0 turnovers. Appalachian had 37 rushing plays for 24 yards. Appalachian had 25 passing plays for 257 yards. Appalachian had 62 total plays for 281 total yards. Appalachian had six turnovers.
Addison was led in rushing by Berry who had seven carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Hayes had seven carries for 99 yards and a TD. Dyson had seven carries for 49 yards and a TD. Holt had one carry for 20 yards and a TD.
Hayes had six pass completions in 10 pass attempts for 58 yards and two TDs.
Gilbreath had one reception for 29 yards and a TD. Wilkins had two catches for 14 yards and a TD. Jacob “Flash” Hardin had one catch for 15 yards.
On defense, “Big Play” Holland, Isaiah “Stump” Treece and Holt had seven tackles each. Vintson had six tackles. Malaki Blakely, Hayes, Williams and Lane “Duct Tape” Tubb and four tackles each. Willette and Jordan “The Hammer” Hubbert three tackles each. “Big Play” Holland had a fumble recovery. Hubbert, Vintson, Blakely and Treece had sacks. Williams got a safety. Willette had an interception for a TD. Netherton, Gilbreath, Holt and Peyton “Rudi” Holland each had an interception.
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