Time-Out: The Classic is Back!

By Jerome Bryant

The excitement was palpable in the city this past weekend as the legendary 85th Annual Tuskegee vs. Morehouse Classic returned to A.J. McClung Stadium. Fans packed the stands to witness Tuskegee’s Golden Tigers put on a clinic, delivering a commanding 42-0 shutout victory over Morehouse. From the opening whistle, Tuskegee took control, with their offense and defense firing on all cylinders, notching five touchdowns and securing their second win of the season. With the victory, the Golden Tigers now sit at 2-3 overall and 2-1 in SIAC play, while Morehouse drops to 1-5 and continues to struggle in conference at 0-3.

Tuskegee’s dominance began with kicker Lorcan Ryans, who drilled a 32-yard field goal early in the first quarter. Ryans added another 18-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving the Golden Tigers a 6-0 lead. Before halftime, quarterback Raequan Beal found Reggie Brigman for a four-yard touchdown, capping an impressive 10-play, 80-yard drive. Tuskegee went into the break with a comfortable 13-0 lead.

The second half was all Golden Tigers. Just two plays after halftime, Beal connected with Jonathan Montrevil on a 33-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 19-0 after a missed extra point. Tuskegee never looked back, adding another touchdown with a two-yard run from Johnny Morris, followed by a successful two-point conversion. The lead ballooned to 27-0 by the end of the third quarter. Beal struck again in the fourth, tossing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Quavon Beckford, followed by another two-point conversion to Brigman. Malik Davis sealed the deal with a three-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Garmon in the game’s final minutes, closing out the 42-0 rout.

Tuskegee’s ground game was unstoppable, racking up 253 rushing yards on 39 carries, led by Morris’ 107-yard performance. The passing game was equally efficient, with Beal completing 7-of-12 passes for 67 yards and three touchdowns, while backup Malik Davis went a perfect 5-for-5. The Golden Tigers’ defense stifled Morehouse, allowing only 53 rushing yards and forcing three turnovers. With this momentum, Tuskegee is primed for a big matchup next week against Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. CT.

But as thrilling as the Classic was, the local high school football scene took center stage in Week 8 with plenty of action-packed matchups that left fans on the edge of their seats.

Auburn Knocks Off the Champs!

One of the biggest games of the week featured a high-stakes battle between two powerhouse teams, as the Auburn Tigers took on last year’s state champions, the Central Red Devils. This game lived up to the hype and then some, as both teams traded blows in a high-scoring affair. Ultimately, Auburn came out on top, defeating Central 38-33 in a game that had fans buzzing.

Auburn quarterback Jackson Kilgore was sensational, completing 13-of-19 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns. His pinpoint accuracy and ability to make plays under pressure were key to Auburn’s victory. Senior wide receiver Peyton Plott had a monster game, hauling in six passes for 156 yards. Not to be outdone, Joshua Askew also contributed with six catches for 73 yards, providing Kilgore with multiple weapons downfield.

Central didn’t go down without a fight, but Auburn’s defense came through in the clutch, sealing the game and handing the Red Devils a rare defeat. This victory moves Auburn closer to a top seed in the playoffs and solidifies their reputation as a serious contender for the state title this year.

Pacelli Dominates; Carver Keeps Rolling

The Pacelli Vikings continued their strong season, moving to 4-3 with an absolute demolition of Calvary, winning 55-0. Pacelli’s offense was unstoppable, led by senior running back Jason Nelson, who rushed for 142 yards on 14 carries. Sophomore Donovan Calvin added 100 rushing yards of his own, showing the depth and talent of Pacelli’s ground game. The Vikings controlled the game from the outset, dominating on both sides of the ball. With this win, Pacelli is poised for a strong finish to the season, and they’ve put the rest of the league on notice.

Meanwhile, across town, the Carver Tigers continued their impressive run with a convincing 40-7 win over Shaw. Carver is now 6-1 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in regional play, cementing their status as one of the top teams to beat. Their offense has been explosive all season, and their defense has been a brick wall. With each passing week, Carver looks more and more like a team destined for a deep playoff run.

Harris County and Northside Bounce Back

The Harris County Tigers remained one of the hottest teams in the region, securing a 31-16 victory over Griffin to improve their record and keep their winning streak alive. Harris County has found its stride, and with a balanced attack on offense and a stout defense, they are shaping up to be a team that no one wants to face come playoff time.

After a tough loss last week, the Northside Patriots roared back into form, crushing Mundy’s Mill 41-6. Northside’s offense was firing on all cylinders, and their defense made sure to keep Mundy’s Mill in check. With this win, the Patriots are back on track, and they’ll be looking to build on this momentum as they head into Week 9.

Final Scores from Week 8:

• Kendrick 41-0 over Jordan
• Glenwood 68-40 over Randolph County
• Sumter County 21-20 over Spencer in a thriller
• Russell County 42-28 over Stanhope
• Jaguars 28-14 over Smiths Station
• Opelika 28-7 over Dothan

Coming Up in Week 9:

Week 9 promises to bring even more exciting matchups. Northside will take on Griffin at Kinnett Stadium at 7 PM, while Hardaway faces Columbus at Odis Spencer Stadium at the same time. As the regular season heads into its final stretch, these games are becoming more crucial for playoff positioning, and every snap, every play matters. Teams will be battling not just for wins, but for bragging rights, playoff spots, and momentum heading into the postseason.

With the level of competition and the stakes getting higher, expect nothing less than thrilling Friday night lights ahead!

Until next time, keep cheering, keep supporting your teams, and let’s keep the football excitement alive in our community! See you in the stands!