ADDISON, Ala. – A large crowd gathered at A.G. Hicks stadium Friday night to watch the hometown Addison Bulldogs take on the Colbert County Indians in a huge region showdown. Addison came in with one region loss whereas Colbert County was undefeated in region play. It was a must-win game for the Bulldogs if they have any hopes of winning a region championship.
Addison kicked off the game, forcing a Colbert County three-and-out, and Colbert County returned the favor. Colbert County was assisted when Addison lost 17 yards on a play where the snap went over the quarterback’s head. Addison, which has been decimated by injuries this season, was starting senior Dylan Norman at center. This just happened to be Norman’s first game as an offensive lineman. Norman was moved there due to Addison’s first two centers being injured. Norman may have been suffering from a case of the jitters early because he settled down and that was about the last thing that he did wrong all night.
On the next Colbert County possession, quarterback David Berryman dropped back and was picked off by Addison’s Luke Chambers who scampered 45 yards for the pick-six. Eli Howse kicked the extra point, and at the 5:29 mark of the first quarter, Addison led the Indians 7-0.
Colbert County took over at its own 34-yard line and began what turned out to be its best drive of the night. With a combination of Berryman’s quick passes and the running of Ethan Smith, the Indians drove 14 plays and 66 yards for a touchdown. Berryman found Themetri Carter and 22 yards later, Carter was in for the touchdown. The extra point was wide right, and at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter, Addison led things 7-6.
Addison came right back and drove 77 yards on the legs of Grant Rice and Weston Smith. Smith, who had a huge night, ran one in from 4 yards out. The extra point was no good and Addison led 13-6 at the 4:06 mark of the second quarter.
Both teams punted again and Colbert County took over with only 1:10 seconds left in the half. Colbert County, from its own 8-yard line, drove down using several passes. An ill-advised Addison unsportsmanlike penalty on the last play of the half gave the Indians one untimed down from the Addison 20-yard line. Berryman then made a beautiful 20-yard strike right down the heart of the Addison defense to Jaylen Butler, who fell into the end zone. The extra point was no good, and at the half Addison was clinging to a 13-12 lead.
Head Coach David Smothers must have channeled his best halftime motivational speech because Addison came out in the third quarter and obliterated a good Colbert County team the rest of the night. What was a hard-hitting, close ball game turned into a rout.
After a 47-yard Addison punt by Howse pinned Colbert County at its own 3-yard line, Smith fumbled the ball into the end zone and after a mad scramble, Caleb “The Bus” Crider fell on it for an Addison touchdown. This was Addison’s second defensive touchdown of the night. The Crider run for the 2-point conversion was good and Addison led 21-12 with 10:09 left in the third quarter.
The next Colbert County possession ended with Nelson Hernandez getting into the act with an interception of his own and returning it to the Indian 26-yard line.
The Dawgs took over and four plays later, Smith hammered it home again from 4 yards out. After the Howse extra point, the score was 28-12 Addison with 7:08 left in the third.
After forcing another three-and-out from Colbert County an inspired Addison offense drove it 80 yards on just eight plays. Nelson Martin, Smith and Crider pounded the Indian defenders into submission. Crider took the last three carries for 33 yards and scored from 6 yards out. The 2-point conversion was good, and Addison was dominating 36-12 with still 2:51 left in the third.
The very next Indian possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by Rice at the 9-yard line of Colbert County. Two plays later, Smith powered his way in from the 5-yard line and his third touchdown of the night. Addison missed the 2-point conversion and the score stood at Addison 44, Colbert County 12.
The fourth quarter consisted of Addison and Colbert County playing their younger players and the score ended with Addison on top with a huge and somewhat surprising 44-12 region win.
Colbert County shot itself in the foot all night by committing 13 penalties and turning the ball over four times.
The final unofficial team stats are as follows:
Addison ran the ball 35 times for 186 yards. Addison completed four of eight passes for 39 yards. Addison had 43 plays for 225 yards. Colbert County ran the ball 27 times for 85 yards and completed 14 of 27 passes for 127 yards. Colbert County had 54 plays for 212 yards.
Individual stats for Addison are QB Christian Roberts was 3-of-6 for 30 yards passing. Weston “Big Game” Smith had nine carries for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Crider had seven carries for 50 yards and a rushing touchdown. Rice had eight carries for 42 yards. Luke “You throw it I catch it” Chambers had two catches for 25 yards.
On defense Crider led the way with seven tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Brett Smith had five tackles and Justin Mather and Hernandez had four tackles each. Hernandez had a pick; Chambers had a pick-six and Rice had a fumble recovery.
The punting of Howse should be mentioned since he had his best game of the year to include a 47 yarder.
Addison won a must-win game and now travels to Tanner to face the Rattlers next Friday night in another region game. Colbert County faces Red Bay in a crucial region game for both teams at Colbert County next week.
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