Austin Dominates Huntsville: Austin dominated Huntsville 52-25 in the Class 7A, Region 4 finale at Alabama A&Ms Louis Crews Stadium on Friday night.
The Black Bears from Decatur wrapped up their regular season at 8-2, boasting a 5-2 record in region play. Huntsville, on the other hand, concluded its season at 4-5 overall and 3-4 in Region 4, setting the stage for their final game at home against Hazel Green next week.
Quarterbacks Judd Bailey and Jason Davis showcased their skills, each throwing two touchdown passes for Austin. Gavin Fuqua and Kenneth Joshua contributed with impressive scoring runs.
The Bears’ defense made a significant impact, with Nathan Taylor blocking a Huntsville field-goal attempt, and Kaleb Taylor returning it for a touchdown. Ethan Wynn and Corey House added to the defensive prowess with interceptions.
Huntsville head coach Mark Fleetwood acknowledged his team’s effort, stating, “We came back out and made a run in the second half,” but he expressed that the blocked field goal had a dampening effect on their spirits. Despite the setback, Fleetwood commended his players for their hard work.
For Huntsville, Jacks McClung was a standout, accounting for all four touchdowns. He threw for three scores and added another with a run. Lawson Neighbors secured two of McClungs touchdown throws, while Ashton Caldwell caught the other toss for the Panthers (4-5, 3-4).
Looking ahead to the 7A playoffs, Austin coach Jeremy Perkins is optimistic. “Weve got an open week next week to heal up a little bit and to rest a little bit,” he said, hoping to get a head start and learn about their next opponent.
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