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(upbeat music) - [Sports Announcer] Welcome back to the AmFirst Pregame Show.

(crowd cheering) - Special is in the air here in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

You can feel it, you can anticipate it.

The 6A Final between Saraland and Mountain Brook.

Coach Duwan Walker, what are we gonna see in this game?

- In this game, really good match up.

The stage is set.

You have Saraland full of a lot of sophomores, gonna be young, but highly experienced, having receiver already committed to Alabama, versus a Mountain Brook team that's senior-heavy, so, you know, this game did not start tonight.

This game started back in January where these kids started preparing and now is the moment.

- Watch for Cole Gamble, the Mountain Brook running back.

If we're gonna have another 200 yard game, he's probably gonna be the man.

And Ryan Williams, the sophomore wide receiver for Saraland, the Alabama commit, as coach mentioned, maybe the best wide receiver in the country.

We are minutes away from kickoff, the 6A Final, Spartan on Spartan cry, Mountain Brook, Saraland, only right here over the air on Alabama Public Television.

Let's go!

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(gentle music) - Welcome to the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Football Championships.

Congratulations to the 14 boys teams and the two girls flag football teams for making it to Auburn.

I want to extend my best wishes to the cheerleaders, the bands, the schools, and the communities who are there to show their hometown spirit.

You all have so much to be proud of.

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(logo swooshing) (upbeat music) - Welcome to the Alabama Public Television High School Football Championships presented by Protective, offering life insurance, retirement, and asset protection to help protect what matters most.

It is time now for the Class 6A State Championship Game between Mountain Brook and Saraland, from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

And good evening, everyone, and welcome in to the grand finale of the Super 7 here from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Mickey Shadrix, along with Coach Rick Rhoades.

And you know this 6A State Championship Game features a couple of teams that always seem to be in the mix come playoff time in class 6A.

Matter of fact, Saraland has been to this game three times in the last nine years, but coach, as the saying goes, only one team will walk away tonight as champion.

- That's exactly right.

Somebody's going home as a State Champion and we've got some very interesting contrast of styles here tonight.

We'll talk a lot about that as a game develops, but it's gonna be another great game.

- We have got some great players that'll be involved in this game as well, which leads us in to our key players for tonight's matchup.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, these are two of the best players in the state.

First of all for Mountain Brook, Running Back Cole Gamble.

You see his numbers.

He had 193 yards and three touchdowns in the semis.

He is a great inside runner.

For Saraland, Ryan Williams.

Some people say he may be the best player in the state as a sophomore and may be the best receiver in the country.

We're gonna see 80 catches.

You see his numbers right there.

12 TDs on the ground, two punt returns for TDs.

He is an electric player.

- [Mickey] Our impact player is presented by CoachSafely Foundation, win without losses.

Well, as we continue our countdown to kickoff, we'll take a break and return with our Keys to the Game in this battle of Spartans tonight from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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(upbeat music) (log swooshing) - [Mickey] And fans turning out for both teams earlier this afternoon in support of the two teams we've got battling for the 6A State Championship Game tonight, Mountain Brook and Saraland, as we inch our way closer to kickoff time now to take a look at Coach Rhoades' Keys to the Game.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, first for Mountain Brook, remember this term, the stretch play.

Everything that Mountain Brook does offensively hinges on the outside zone being successful.

It has to go for them to work defensively.

They're not gonna stop this Saraland offense.

It's too good.

What they've gotta do is play great red zone defense and get some turnovers.

For Saraland, they're big chunk offense.

They're gonna get yards in bunches.

That's the way their game is.

Those plus-20 yard plays are key to their success defensively.

They gotta stop the run, but they can't do it at the expense of the play X and pass, which Mountain Brook is excellent at.

- [Mickey] It is a beautiful night for football on this Friday night in Auburn.

The class 6A State Championship Game.

The kickoff is coming up next.

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(gentle music) (music crescendoing) (car lights dinging) (car engine revving) (liquid pouring) (phone buttons clicking) (car engine whizzing) (tires squealing) (tires squealing) (glass shattering) (car light dinging) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama, as my home sweet home.

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Vote.

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It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

("Easy Like Sunday Morning") (soft jazz music) - [Mickey] The Super 7 got started on Wednesday night with class 7A and it concludes on this Friday night with class 6A, the State Championship Game, Mountain Brook and Saraland, a great atmosphere, huge crowd on hand here tonight as we are getting set for the kickoff between the Spartans of Mountain Brook and the Spartans of Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] This place is rocking.

- [Mickey] Here's a look at the Children's of Alabama Super 7 scoreboard and Coach, we have crowned champions in every division except 6A and a lot of good teams represent themselves very well this week here in Auburn.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, they really have and today there's been no exception as we look at today's (indistinct) with a very hard-fought win over a gallant Cherokee County team.

An explosive game in the 2A Championship 5, that very unusual offense to to pull away and win that one.

Congratulations to both those teams.

- [Mickey] And the captains for both teams meeting at the center of the field at the 50 yard line.

We were waiting the coin toss to see who will get the football first in this 6A State Championship Game.

Mountain Brook number two seat out of 6A Region 5 Saraland, a number two seat as well out of 6A Region 1.

- [Field Announcer] Representing quarterback- - [Coach Rhoades] Got a good look right there at one of the Saraland quarterbacks are warming up.

(field announcer speaking in background) As we said, this place is rocking pretty good.

Good crowd here.

- [Mickey] Great atmosphere inside Jordan-Hare Stadium tonight for this 6A State Championship Game.

Let's go down to the field, join our referee Wayne Pierce.

- Mountain Brook, Saraland.

Have a good, clean game, good sportsmanship.

We're gonna let them call the coin toss tonight since they're the visitors.

Tails and a heads.

Same thing, heads and a tails.

What's your choice?

- Heads.

- Called heads.

It is a heads, you've won the toss.

- We want the ball.

- You want the ball.

Which goal do you wanna pick?

Okay, turn your back that way.

(crowd cheering) Mountain Brook won the toss and they will receive.

Shake hands and let's play football.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well there's a- - [Mickey] So we have our answer.

It'll be Mountain Brook getting the football first when we kick things off, but before that, it's time to introduce the third member of our crew tonight for the 6A Championship Game, Susan Carothers is down on the field.

Good evening, Susan.

- Good evening, guys.

I think you've said it, but this place is rocking.

We have big crowds here from both schools and the energy is electric.

They're ready to go.

Hey, I got the chance to talk with both coaches during warmups and let me tell you what they said about what their team needs to do to win these games.

First of all, for Mountain Brook, I spoke with Chris Yeager.

First of all, he's been at that school coaching for 17 years, but he said tonight they need to block, tackle, secure the football, and he repeated it twice, they need to finish this game.

Then for Saraland, I talked to coach Jeff Kelly.

He said they need to use their explosive offense and they need to give their play makers opportunities to be successful.

It's gonna be a great game tonight, guys.

- [Mickey] All right, thanks, Susan.

We'll be checking in with you later on here tonight as we get set for the kickoff between Saraland and Mountain Brook, both teams obviously picking up some big wins on their road here to the Championship Game.

- [Coach Rhoades] If I could, Mickey, just a little bit more about those coaches.

I think really two of the best offensive minds in the state.

Chris Yeager, more of a formation, run the ball to set up the play X and pass kind of guy.

Jeff Kelly likes to spread the field, but both of them have very fertile minds and we'll see some offensive production tonight.

- [Mickey] Mountain Brook getting here after a semifinal victory over Muscle Shoals, and meanwhile, Saraland avenging the regular season loss against Theodore 'cause they won the rematch of the semifinals 21-6 and we're just about set for kickoff again.

It is great football weather here in Auburn, Alabama, tonight.

Temperature here at kickoff, about 57 degrees.

There is a little bit of a breeze inside the stadium.

This has been the case all three days we've been here.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think it's interesting to note that Mountain Brook did win the toss, and unlike most of the teams here this week, they did not defer to the second half.

They wanted the football right now.

- [Mickey] This is the first team in all the Super 7 Games where the team that won the toss selected to receive and off we go in the 6A State Championship Game and the kickoff is gonna settle out of bounds.

So a miscue here to start things in special teams for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] And you're always tempted to force the other team to re-kick again, but it looks like Mountain Brook is gonna take pretty decent field position and get started.

- [Mickey] And there you see senior quarterback John Colvin coming out onto the field.

He has had a great year, thrown for over 2,100 yards on the season.

- [Coach Rhoades] 17 TDs and only four interceptions.

- [Mickey] Very effective leader for this Mountain Brook offense that has put up some big numbers this season.

So first play from scrimmage, this is Mountain Brook football right here as they hand it off to Cole Gamble, their work horse, and he picks up about eight yards on this first down carry as we take a look at the offensive starting lineup four Mountain Brook.

This offense comes in averaging 39 points a game.

There you see John Colvin starting quarterback Cole Gamble on the carry there.

We've also got some other good running backs as well, Coach.

Craig Sanderson, their leading receiver and a solid offensive line.

- [Coach Rhoades] Did you see who was in the slot for Mountain Brook in the first play?

The left tackle, and then they moved him back inside and we saw the first edition of the stretch play and you're gonna see a lot of different formations now by Mountain Brook.

- [Mickey] Second down, this is Gamble.

That little misdirection play comes left and a nice pickup, crosses midfield into Saraland territory before he steps out of bounds at the 46 yard line and we will take a look at the defensive starters for Saraland, and you mentioned the challenge this group is gonna have tonight.

They're fast, Coach, they run to the football, but they're gonna, Mountain Brook's gonna give them a lot of eye candy tonight, aren't they?

- [Coach Rhoades] They're gonna give 'em a lot and they gave 'em some pretty good eye candy on that play.

I mean that was a counter play, but they countered both polars.

They they started to their left and then did a pirouette back, excuse me, they started to their right and did a pirouette back to the left.

Very, very unorthodox.

- [Mickey] First down, this is Gamble again trying the right side.

He has stood up there by the Saraland defense number 99 helping out on the tackle for the Spartans.

That is Jimmy Byrd.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, Mountain Brook got unbalanced again that time.

Saraland adjusted to it very well and that's how you stop the stretch play to the outside.

You've gotta keep lateral movement and keep gap integrity and that time the red edition of the Spartans did a great job of doing just that.

- [Mickey] Second down and nine for Mountain Brook at the Saraland 45.

Colvin's first pass of the game is complete as they swing it out here to Jackson Beatty and it is gonna result in an ALDOT first down to the Saraland 31 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well this is the bubble screen, but this is a great job of using motion.

You can see when that ball is caught, Beatty is already outside of the defense.

Just a great, great timing player right there and using that bubble screen to a great advantage.

He's outside so quick, the Saraland defense really does not have time to react.

- [Mickey] And a great block there from Mountain Brook leading receiver Clark Sanderson out on the edge.

- [Coach Rhoades] First in 10 for Mountain Brook.

- [Mickey] And nothing doing on that running play.

A trio of red jerseys there to stop Cole Gamble for no gain.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, way over shifted to the field with the unbalance.

Really only one blocker to the left side of the formation.

They tried to go back to that short side, but too many red shirts.

- [Mickey] They will actually lose a yard, this second down and 11.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, I'm glad I'm not charting this Mountain Brook offense.

They have given different formation on every single snap.

- [Mickey] Saraland showing blitz, they bring the middle linebacker.

Colvin rolling to his right and he is unable to pick up any yardage.

He is knocked off his feet for a loss.

Solid pursuit there by Saraland's Jamison Curtis from his linebacker position.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, they ran a little boot action and tried to hit Clark Sanderson over the middle on a drag wrap.

He was open a little bit early, but just did not have time to square his shoulders up and throw the football.

- [Mickey] So a loss of three yards, that'll make it third and 14 back at the 35.

Back-to-back tackles for loss for this Saraland defense.

Let's see what the Spartans dial up on third down at 14.

Ball pass away for Sanderson.

They're gonna say caught it at the 29 yard line.

The pass was low though, so he was unable to pick up any yardage after the catch so here's a fourth down and eight just inside the 30.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah and this would be about a 46 yard field goal if they try that.

I think they're gonna go here on fourth down.

Had a little half roll to that outside ball.

It was a little bit low, but pretty well defended.

I'm not sure he would have gotten much more than what we got on the catch.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] So here we go, fourth down and eight.

Saraland showing pre-snap pressure and here they come.

Colvin swings it toward the end zone.

It is incomplete.

It was intended for Jackson Beatty who looked like he might have a shot at it.

- [Coach Rhoades] Ran a deep, deep outcut and what Colvin had to do was to drop it in a bucket right there.

He had to throw it over the corner and underneath the safety, a very narrow hoop to throw that thing into and just could not drop it in there, and so the Saraland defense holds.

- [Mickey] Looks like Zay Crenshaw might have interfered with Beatty's vision on that past play, so here come the Spartans of Saraland, first down at their 29.

They swing it out to Williams, the dynamic wide receiver that Coach Rhoades talked about in our open, and right away he makes an impact.

10 yards in a ALDOT first down as we take a look at the Saraland offense.

They are led by a trio of stars.

We just saw Ryan Williams, quarterback KJ Lacey, and then also their running back Sante McWilliams.

- [Coach Rhoades] Who has 1,300 yards rushing on the season, 5.9 yards of carry.

And an interesting guy to keep your eye on is number six, Michael Smith, who's been out a good bit of the year with an injury has just gotten back and he could be a big factor in this game.

- [Mickey] Saraland's offense averaging 43 points a game.

Here is the first carry of the night for Sante McWilliams and he's got 13 yards back-to-back ALDOT first downs for the Saraland offense and here is a look at the Mountain Brook defense.

They've been a stingy group this year, Coach, only surrendering about 12.8 points a game, but they definitely have their work cut out for them tonight.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, they really do.

They base out of a three-man front, but they're gonna give you a lot of different looks.

They mixed packages very well.

- [Mickey] And here is Williams.

Nice job stringing out that play as every gap covered there by the Mountain Brook defense.

- [Coach Rhoades] And they can run to the football, which is what they did on that play right there.

Great backside pursuit to hold that thing to no gain.

- [Mickey] Good look at KJ Lacey.

- [Coach Rhoades] 30 exceptional passes on there, only five intersections.

- [Mickey] Saraland quarterback.

Second down and 10.

(marching band music) Swings it out to the left side and it's CD Gill and he's taken off his feet, a flag comes in also.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, normally on that type of play when you get that flag right there, it's some kind of a hold.

It was thrown awfully late for that.

We'll get a look.

(marching band music) - [Mickey] It's gonna be against Saraland and our, our referee tonight is Wayne Pierce.

- During the play, illegal block in the back against the offense.

Penalty is 10 yards, second down.

- [Coach Rhoades] I was enjoying those wide screens.

Make sure you see the front of those numbers.

So you look at the very top of the screen right there.

You can see right there the push into the back.

It was by Brooks Womble, I think.

Commit to go long.

- [Mickey] Not much, but enough to draw the flag.

Second down and long, here come Mountain Brook on the flip.

So they're gonna get to Lacey and sack him back at the 36 yard line.

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- [Coach Rhoades] That was Trent Wright that was in there.

You know, this is the thing that was kind of unknown to me going into the game, how much pressure they would try to do.

You could see just great upfield pressure right there.

Pocket collapses and big, big sack for Mountain Brook.

Of course when you bring pressure, you can be be very disruptive, but it either leaves you a man short in the underneath coverage or you're in straight man coverage or both of those could be a little bit dicey.

- [Mickey] Get it home that time, but when you get the sack, you need third and 26 Saraland will either take it to the Mountain Brook 38.

Screen pass is incomplete.

(crowd cheering) They had to force a putting situation here, force error.

- [Coach Rhoades] Both defensive has bowed up and said we play some defense too boys.

(marching band music) - [Crew] Got somebody injured.

- [Mickey] They're bring out the Saraland punter, Hunter Kirkland.

Electric Co-ops of Alabama Punt.

(marching band music) It's gonna be a short kick.

Sanderson will elect to let it roll dead inside the 20 and they'll down it right about the 21 yard line, so each team has possessed the football once.

Still no score midway through the first quarter in the 6A State Championship Game here from Auburn.

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This is Alabama and when you're here, you can take it all in.

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(upbeat music) - [Mickey] And 6:21 remaining here in our first quarter.

First ever meeting between these two 6A powerhouse football programs, Mountain Brook and Saraland battling it out for the State Championship tonight here for Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Mountain Brook on their second offensive possession.

First in 10, here is Gamble, huge hole.

He's got a big gain of about 13 yards after the 35 yard line, another ALDOT first down four Mountain Brook there.

Third of a gain.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well this is the stretch play again, this time with an insert blocker.

You can see Gamble stretches the defense, plants that outside foot, gets north and south, when he sees that daylight in that crease, just really, really good running and excellent blocking up front.

(logo swooshing) - [Mickey] First down.

Colvin to Gamble again and he is wrapped up by the shoelaces by Saraland's Cameron York.

- [Coach Rhoades] That's that little counter play with the pirouette by the guard, but very well defended after the initial hole was really pretty gaping but great pursuit to hold that to a one yard gain.

- [Mickey] Second down and nine for the Spartans.

Pre-snap shifts here for Mountain Brook and Coleman takes the snap, hands off to number 19 again.

He takes a shot at the 40 yard line after a pickup of four.

So here's a third down at five coming up for Mountain Brook.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, again, back to the outside zone.

A good job by the front of keeping that gap integrity.

Keeps those blockers from getting to the second level, and a big hit by the linebacker is the result.

Second tackle of the first quarter for that young man, Jimmy Byrd.

- [Mickey] So here's a third and five for the Spartans.

(crowd cheering) Colvin looks to his right.

Pass is complete out there and it should be a first down is Rob Gillespie on the receiving end of that John Colvin pass and it is an ALDOT first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Ran a three-man combination round and Colvin, a great job of getting the ball out in a hurry, seeing the sinking flat defender threw a strike for the big first down.

Good protection inside as well.

- [Mickey] First down out at the 47th.

(crowd cheering) Colvin hands to Gamble.

Gamble, nice vision there.

It looked like he was gonna be stopped for no gain.

All of a sudden he picks up five, maybe six yards.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, this is great patience on his part.

One of the things you wanna do with a running back, you know, if you run into that pile right there is just be patient a little bit and slip and try to find a little bit of daylight and that's what he did did.

He just slid back to the inside and picked up a nice gain.

- [Mickey] Gamble now already up to 44 yards rushing here in this first quarter.

It's second down and four.

Gamble, stuffed for no gain.

Nice job by that defensive front as Saraland getting a lot of players to the football, including number 26, Cameron York.

(logo swooshing) - [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, he came back, tried to run a little cut back off of the stretch play, kind of an inside zone, and you can see there's nothing there but a red wall.

(logo swooshing) (marching band music) - [Mickey] So it's third and four, Mountain Brook one of two on third downs here in this first quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] And Mountain Brook's success in this game is gonna be determined by how well they can pick up these third and fours.

- [Mickey] Is a four-man rush for Saraland.

Coleman's pass is incomplete.

Sanderson was the nearest receiver to it.

He was covered by Cameron York and it's forth down.

- [Coach Rhoades] And I tell ya, he had a receiver and I didn't get the number, that was running a little 16 yard dig route right in the middle of the field.

You can see, he is wide open, running the fender around him.

- [Mickey] Mountain Brook lining up to go for it on fourth and four.

(crowd cheering) How about this?

Now the punting unit onto the field.

- [Coach Rhoades] The reason for all this is you can see who's deep for Saraland, there's not a defender deep to catch this kick.

The temp is going to be to try to get that ball pinned deep into red Spartan territory.

(men yelling) As we see a little yellow on the field.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] Well, you only risk a five yard penalty, hoping that you're able to draw off sides.

- [Coach Rhoades] You like the way I've made the distinction between the two Spartans right here?

- [Mickey] Yes.

- [Coach Rhoades] Red Spartans and green Spartans.

You don't look too impressed.

And Coach Clark's standing back there looks even less impressed.

- [Mickey] I think it makes a lot of sense, Coach.

Here's the first punt of the game for Mountain Brook and it is a good kick.

- [Coach Rhoades] It's gonna go out of the back, walking back, walking it back.

Well, it's not nearly as good as it looked 'cause he's walking a long way.

I thought that ball's down about at the 12, but it's gonna be about at the 26 yard line.

- [Mickey] So we've got us a defensive struggle here in this first quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, we've got a lot of formations and motions and quickness and all that, but the score's still nothing to nothing.

These defensive have come to play as well.

- [Mickey] And here is Saraland's offense, taking the field for the second time tonight.

Lacey gets it back, slings it downfield and it is complete out of the 35 yard line to CD Gill tackle made by Mountain Brook's Parker Silsbee.

- [Field Announcer] Number 29, Tucker- - [Coach Rhoades] Well, this is just the old flee flicker and this is a very, very nice job by Lacy.

He wanted to go downfield with the throw, but very well covered by Mountain Brook.

They didn't bite at all.

So he goes to his outlet on the backside.

Great presence by him and hits Gill with a strike.

- [Mickey] Second down and three.

And this will be an ALDOT first down as Sante McWilliams picks up about seven yards to the 40 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] Boy, the pace of this game is quick, quick, quick.

- [Mickey] Spot it back at the 39.

Still though a first down for Saraland.

Here is Williams with the carry.

He's in the open field- - Look out, good-bye.

- [Mickey] He is on the way to the end zone.

(crowd cheering) The Department of Human Resources Touchdown for Ryan Williams, changing lives throughout Alabama and Saraland strikes first here at the 6A State Championship Game.

- [Coach Rhoades] You want my technical expertise on that, partner?

Wow.

You see a little inside cut right there?

(marching band music) - [Mickey] And here is Kirkland on to attempt the extra point.

The Alabama Electric Co-ops Extra Point is good so Saraland strikes first here with the big play touchdown from their big play receiver on the handoff here, Ryan Williams.

- [Coach Rhoades] This is speed-sweeping.

Look at that cutback right there.

that cutback again and then it's just straight speed.

And I'll tell you what, the cut ability of that young man right there was very, very impressive.

Watch him get a little inside move and then cut inside right there and watching this dip back to the inside and it is all over.

You see why some people say he's the best player in this state, but right now as a sophomore.

- [Mickey] 61-yard touchdown run, first points of the game.

There's your scoring drive.

Three plays, 74 yards, Brian Williams with a 61-yard touchdown run.

(upbeat music) So the big plays, that is what Mountain Brook is gonna have to try to defend against for the rest of this game.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, and I was just thinking before that play, he'd been relatively quiet.

I'm glad I didn't say anything.

- [Mickey] Field it at the 10 yard line.

Here comes Sanderson.

Speedy returner out near the 35 yard line before he was tackled there by Saraland's Isaiah Bowie.

So here comes John Colvin and company back out onto the field.

Mountain Brook trailing now seven-nothing.

Come back out on offense here late this first quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know, we talked in the opener about those big chunk plays and, you know, that's what they do, they can flip a game in just a heartbeat.

(man yelling plays) - [Mickey] I think we had one of the offensive linemen flinch there.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think the right guard I think was a little bit fast.

That's gonna cost him five.

- False start against the offense.

That's a five-yard penalty, first down.

- [Mickey] The penalty puts him behind the chains already.

It'll be first and 15.

- [Field Announcer] First down, 15.

- [Mickey] Coach Chris Yeager, a coach that you're very familiar with.

A lot of history between you two.

- [Coach Rhoades] I coached him at North Alabama in the early '80s and hired him as the offensive line coach at Troy State University at the ripe old age of 24.

And two years later, we're National Champions.

That's the kinda impact he had on us.

- [Mickey] Gamble gets to carry and gets only a couple of yards.

Another play there by big number 99, Jimmy Byrd of Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] It is just so important for the Mountain Brook Spartans that they stay ahead of the change by down and distance and those, you know, those unforced errors that put you in first and 15 are tough, tough, tough and it gets even tougher now in second and 13.

- [Mickey] As we go under a minute to play here in this first quarter.

Second down 13 from the 31.

Colvin, looking downfield and his pass is batted down.

Number eight for Saraland.

Jamison Curtis getting his hand on the football from his linebacker position.

That's gonna make it third down and long.

- [Coach Rhoades] Trying to hit that little window between the flat defender and the secondary, but just nowhere to go.

Tried to throw it to the inside and that long arm knocked that thing down and brings up this third and 13.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] Colvin, pop fakes.

Tried to set up a screen, they got it to Sanderson.

Sanderson trying to get upfield, but can't escape the pursuit of Jamison Curtis.

If Curtis is not able to close and make that tackle, that's gonna wind up a first down for Mountain Brook.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, you know, this is the tunnel screen right here and you know what you try to do when you catch that ball is to turn upfield as fast as you can.

I really think Sanderson maybe drifted a little bit too far to his right and made that tackle a little bit easier than it would've been and brings up this punt situation.

- [Mickey] Again, it's kicked out of bounds.

So here goes the official once again walking upfield and it's gonna be marked at the 34 yard line, so Saraland with pretty good field position as they come back out on the field with six seconds to go here in this first quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] Just looking at Mountain Brook's stats, 47 yards rushing for Gamble 4.7, which is a respectable average, but it's not what they're used to.

74 yards rushing is a respectable number, but, especially on those early downs, they've gotta have more production.

- [Mickey] First down, Lacey's pass is incomplete, batted down there by the Mountain Brook defender, Hampton King, two seconds left in the quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] And a really nice quick on the football there by King on that speed.

He read the quarterback action and broke on it immediately.

Good job.

(marching band music) - [Field Announcer] Second down and 10.

- [Mickey] Second and 10.

(marching band music continues) Lacey with a handoff.

This is Williams out of the backfield around the corner.

Turns on the speed.

He's gonna have an ALDOT first down as he crosses into Mountain Brook territory and that will take us to the end of the first quarter, flag at the end of the play as well.

Saraland with a seven-nothing lead over Mountain Brook, through one quarter in the 6A State Championship Game in Auburn.

(upbeat music) (crowd cheering) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] I know it's early, but it's okay to move in your seat, do what you got to do.

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(upbeat music) - Hey, I'm Phil Hutchinson, Interim Executive Director of Alabama Public Television.

We're excited this year to join the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the FHS Network to present live coverage of the Super 7 State High School Football Championships.

This is something viewers have been asking for for years and thanks to support from several generous sponsors, we're finally able to make it happen.

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(upbeat music) (crowd cheering) - And back at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

Our score, Saraland leading Mountain Brook seven-nothing through one quarter of action here in the 6A State Championship Game.

On the last play, you see there was a horse collar penalty called on the run by Ryan Williams, so we have an untimed down here before we head to the second quarter.

And Lacey's pass intended for Williams will fall incomplete.

Time now to welcome a special guest into our broadcast booth.

Coach Rhoades and I are joined now by Coach Bill Clark, who has been a part of our Super 7 coverage here this week down in Auburn.

And Coach, it's a pleasure to have you join us and we wanna talk football with you, obviously, but we also wanna talk about the CoachSafely Foundation that I know you're working with as well.

Let's start there.

- Yeah, you know, Jack Crowe started CoachSafely back probably 27, 2016, 2017, we had the law passed, which caused for all youth coaches in the state of Alabama to get certified.

You know, this is kind of becoming a national initiative.

We're leading the nation in this, which is safety for our youth coaches, getting these guys trained so they can keep these guys safe and promote sports, getting our kids out.

Of course, why I like being part of it is getting them kids out to play, which we all believe in, and this is boys and girls.

- Well, Coach, your thoughts on the Super 7 and this game in particular.

I know you've been in here watching it with us.

You're gonna hang around with us for some of the second quarter here.

- Yeah, so first, obviously, you know, football in the state of Alabama's a big deal.

We've got great coaches, we've got great players.

You see the great crowds we've had, but you know, obviously it's fun to watch and then look at this crowd here, Mountain Brook obviously, what a great job they've done.

Chris Yeager, you know, Chris and I coached together years ago, Saraland, I mean, gosh, I think they brought everybody from Mobile here, you know, so two terrific teams, but a lot of great teams here for the last few days.

It's been fun to watch.

(whistle chirps) - [Mickey] So it'll be second down and 10.

Again, Coach Clark is gonna hang with us here as we roll into the second quarter from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Saraland with a seven-nothing lead and looking for more, here is the handoff to McWilliams.

Nice patience there, but better defense from Mountain Brook as they close the hole and keep the gain to only two yards.

So a third down and eight upcoming.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, try to wrap that guard around, but nobody gets to the Mike linebacker on the inside and Vaughn Frost is able to get a big hit and that play goes nowhere.

- [Mickey] So here's a third and eight for Saraland.

O for one on third downs in the game so far, pass to the end zone.

Williams is there and it's a touchdown.

He got wide open and a flag comes in after the play as well.

- [Coach Rhoades] But I don't know whether it was a scissors route or a corner route, but it was an out-breaking route right to the corner.

The Mountain Brook coverage broke down.

Looks like somebody got caught up underneath and a great throw by Lacey and the Red Spartans strike again.

- [Coach Clark] Better know where Juan's at.

- [Coach Rhoades] For sure.

I'm not sure that's gonna do that much difference.

- [Coach Clark] No, I don't know.

A minute ago, they were there and he just ran by 'em, didn't he?

It's called good coaching, right?

Get it to that guy.

- [Coach Rhoades] Absolutely, absolutely.

- [Mickey] Had two flags on the play and referee Wayne Pierce clear it up for us here in a moment.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, we had the Karate Kid pose at the end.

- After the play, unsportsman-like on the scoring team, that penalty enforced 15 yards on the kickoff.

- [Coach Rhoades] I believe that move was the crane from Karate Kid and that is a no-no.

- [Mickey] And Hunter Kirkland on to attempt the extra point.

- [Coach Rhoades] Maybe both.

- [Mickey] The Electric Co-ops of Alabama Extra Point.

And Kirkland knocks it through there to extend the Saraland lead to 14 to nothing.

Let's take another look at the touchdown and then see if we can spot what happened that through the penalty flag.

- [Coach Rhoades] And there you see the corner route right there and easy pickings.

There's the spin and the crane move and that's a no-no.

And there's another look at it right here, and again, it's the spin and the crane move.

(Mickey laughing) And here's another, a third look at it.

And again, it's the spin and the crane move and all those are penalties.

- [Coach Clark] I'll tell ya, all three.

- [Mickey] This young man right here, number one, he's a problem the rest of this night for Mountain Brook, is he not?

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know, everything I read leading up this game said you gotta find a way to stop number one, but I didn't hear any, I didn't see anybody write anything about how to do that.

Now that might be a good question for you, Coach.

How do you stop number one?

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, you know, from having to defend Julio back at (indistinct) a couple times, you put a man on him and you put a man over him.

Now, that leaves a lot of other guys out there, so you gotta hope they don't beat you, but you know, Coach Kelly's doing a good job.

They're moving him around.

You hand it to him on speed sweep, et cetera, so give him credit for getting it to him.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know, and I think you're exactly right in what you said, but that's the problem.

They move him around so much, it's very hard to do that.

And of course, you know, they got a pretty good running back in that backfield too.

If you get that box too light, I mean they present all kind of problems.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, and that's what you do.

You gotta, you got a guy like them, you get unsound somewhere else.

- [Mickey] Kirkland's kick fielder by Sanderson.

He is slung to the turf there by Saraland's Edrick White drawing the cheers from the Saraland faithful who have turned out in big numbers tonight here at Jordan-Hare.

Now here's a look at the impact Ryan Williams has made on this game already and one thing, Coach, I see, is if he gets a head start at all, it's over.

- [Field Announcer] We have a sideline warning.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, it looked like they didn't take great angles in the secondary, but you know, also that says a lot about him and once again, smart, you know, get it to it, get it to him a bunch of different ways.

Hand it to it, throw it to him.

That's good coaching.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, the best possible defenses you can have against that guy is for the unit that's on the field right now for Mountain Brook to keep that football, get it down the field and get on the board.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, they gotta score.

I mean, you know, you gotta, you playing good offenses, you gotta score too, so they've moved it, but they're gonna have to find a way to stick it in, aren't they?

- [Mickey] All the play action on first down got Sanderson downfield who adjusts and makes the grab at the 30 yard line.

And that is an ALDOT first down for the Spartans, their biggest play from scrimmage in the first half.

- [Coach Rhoades] They may try to go a little tempo right here.

That's one of their patent play actions.

A little skinny post to the top of your screen in a deep sail route that just works all the way across.

Try to find that sweet spot at about 16 to 22 yards.

And you can see that ball is right where you want it, right between the hash and the numbers.

- [Mickey] 25 yard throw and catch.

It's Mountain Brook down to the Saraland 30 in a hurry.

Colvin throws it to Sanderson again, led him beautifully and Sanderson fighting hard, taking out of bounds inside the 25 yard line, a gain of eight yards.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, again, when that quick screen, that bubble screen is thrown outside that wide, the relationship between the blocker and the receiver is so tough on a defense, don't you think, Coach?

- [Coach Clark] I do, you know, you had I Collin/Baylor split, you know, OR Browse started all that, but you notice great throw, great block and I've watched Mountain Brook, they do a good job of setting their block up, so nice job.

- [Coach Rhoades] And that is not an easy throw to make.

- [Coach Clark] No, no, no.

- [Mickey] Good down for Mountain Brook here.

Second and two.

Back to the ground game, here's Gamble.

Nice hole and nice job coming up in run support by Delvin Gully.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, back to the stretch play again.

That time of thing hit all the way outside.

I thought maybe you might make that secondary man best and maybe get into the end zone, but a nice open field tackle.

- [Coach Clark] Nice blocking up front on the outside zones.

- [Mickey] It's an ALDOT first down for Coach Yeager's offense as they enter the Alabama Votes Red Zone presented by the Alabama Secretary of State.

First down at the 16.

Important drive for Mountain Brook, here's Gamble.

Cuts it up back inside, lost his footing and that's too bad because look like he had a chance to shoot through there and pick up some positive yardage.

Let's head down to the field and check in with Susan Carothers.

- [Field Announcer] Second down and 10.

- [Susan] Hey guys, I just talked to the Director of the Southeast Region for the High School Officials and asked him about that crane move and he explained to me that in high school football, you can't do anything that brings attention to yourself.

I said, "Okay, so what about like a fist bump?"

He said, "Fist bumps, fine, crane moves probably too far.

Anytime we do this, it's a judgment call by the officials."

- [Mickey] Thanks for that clarification, Susan.

Second down and 10.

Here comes the pressure up the middle against Colvin, get the pass away, and it is incomplete.

Gamble the nearest receiver to it and he was covered by Edrick White.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I tried to work a combination to the right of your screen, but very well covered by the Saraland secondary and just got rid of it to live to fight another day and brings up his third and 10.

- [Coach Clark] Red zone defense, give him credit, you know, make, get 'em to a third and 10.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know, that's what modern football's all about.

All that stuff between the 20s is just for show.

- [Coach Clark] That's right.

- [Mickey] Down 14-nothing, possibly four down territory here already for Mountain Brook.

Colvin drops back, goes to the end zone.

It's nearly picked, bounced off of Saraland defender after Delvin Gulley got his hands on it.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I really thought that route was gonna go more to the corner and you know, that ball has gotta have some loft to it to get over that defender right there.

Of course, I'm not a real big believer in throwing over any defender.

I like throwing between 'em.

- [Coach Clark] It was a flat route.

He threw it flat, but the route was flat.

- [Mickey] And here's the Electric Co-ops of Alabama Field Goal attempt spotted up to 23.

So a 33 yard attempt as Mountain Brook just looking to get points on the scoreboard and the kick is a good one.

As the kicker splits the uprights, good job there by Jack Heaps to get Mountain Brook on the scoreboard.

- [Coach Rhoades] And that's the important part right there is to get on the scoreboard.

You know, from a Mountain Brook perspective, they'd love to have gotten seven out of that, but just to get on the board, I think is a very, very important step for them.

- [Mickey] Coach Bill Clark joining us in the booth now, Coach, obviously if anyone that follows your career follows college football, knows the incredible job that you did at UAB, you've stepped away now.

Talk a little bit about how you're doing and what's going on with Bill Clark.

- [Coach Clark] Well, thanks for asking.

You know, had the back fusion in July, left it with my guys and you know, they got Bo eligible again, so congratulations to them.

Got released from the doctor just last week, been in physical therapy and will continue that.

He told me don't go jump out of no airplanes, but I'm a lot better.

Great family time right now.

We'll see what comes from all this, but CoachSafely, Children's Harbor, Birmingham giving back, you know, anything I can be part of right now to do, you know, like that is what I'm doing, so just kinda enjoying myself.

- [Mickey] Staying busy, but it sounds like a return to coaching is clearly in the making with you, huh?

- You never know.

- All right.

- [Coach Clark] You never know.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, we have open negotiations time for him to come to Austria and we're a little bit apart of in our monetary deals.

No, I'm just kidding right there.

I think he's got plenty more football and who knows, maybe one day he'll make that trip over there.

- [Coach Clark] You never know.

You know, I appreciate the offer.

- [Coach Rhoades] Hey, all the strudel you want.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, right, there we go, there we go, you got me.

- [Coach Rhoades] Tell you what, I'll throw our schnitzel in to.

- [Mickey] And here's a look at the scoring drive from Mountain Brook.

Very important, the Spartans getting on the scoreboard a 39 yard drive and they get the 33 yard field goal from here, so 14 to three now, 9:21 remaining here in the second quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now this becomes just a huge, huge series right here for their defense.

You know, they need to get a stop here, get the ball back and see if they can whittle away at this lead a little bit more.

What's the key to it?

Find a way to stop number one.

- [Coach Rhoades] He is lined up in the slot and Lacey slings it to him.

How quick he gets up, field crosses the 30, that's an ALDOT first down a gain of 14 yards for Ryan Williams on first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well you mentioned the speed, I looked at a lot of film on these guys and he's a lot faster than he looked like on film and he looked real fast on film.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, yeah.

I mean what, this is what you said.

It's easy to talk about it.

I mean, you know, and they're mixing it, I mean, multiple formations, they're moving him around.

(marching band music) - [Mickey] Lacey leads at McWilliams or I should say yes, that is McWilliams on the carry and he picks up four yards, maybe five after about the 38 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know, Coach Clark hit on something earlier that really is the best way to defend him.

Put somebody on him and somebody behind him.

But Coach Kelly for Saraland does such a good job of moving around that's makes it extremely difficult to do that which means somebody's gotta defend him in space, which is, I don't wanna be that guy.

- [Mickey] Lacey rolling out.

He delivers the ball quickly to Williams.

But this was defended well out on the edge that time by Mountain Brook's number 38, Hampton King.

- [Coach Rhoades] That's a really nice open field tackle.

- [Coach Clark] Tackling, you know, I mean that's the thing.

I mean you can draw whatever defense you want, but run into the ball, great angles and then tackling when you get there and you know, and you gotta work it year round.

- [Coach Rhoades] You just can't miss tackles in spacing against things like this.

- [Coach Clark] No.

- [Mickey] Third and two, the Spartan crowd trying to cheer on their defense.

Mountain Brook could sure use a three and out.

Here is McWilliams and he is, I don't know, it's gonna be close.

Mountain Brook played it well.

It looks as though he may be just a yard, half a yard short.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think he's pretty close to a full yard short right there.

That should be interesting little call right here.

Looks like they ran the zone right here.

Good job coming off blocks and great pursuit again from that backside.

It's like they're gonna go.

- [Coach Clark] You get a hard count here.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think so.

I think they're pretty confident they can get one yard here in this situation.

- [Coach Clark] You see more people go for it than you ever have.

- [Mickey] Coach Kelly will call his first time out here in the first half to ponder it a little more top fourth.

- [Field Announcer] Timeout Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] Take a look at what they were lined up in.

- [Field Announcer] First charge time out.

- [Coach Rhoades] Maybe reevaluate the call.

- [Mickey] And let's take a look at the Saraland row two, the Super 6 and again, they were the number two seed out of their region in Region 1 and they lost to Theodore in the regular season.

That's the only blemish on their record.

They turn around and knock off Theodore in the semis, 21 to 6, but that quarter final went over home with coach.

That was some kind of football game.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, it really was.

You know, multiple over times.

A little bit of controversial ending, but they got dug in and then I tell you what, one thing about this year, don't win the first game because you're not gonna win the second one.

I don't know of any team that won the rematch in any playoff scenario that I can remember this year.

- [Mickey] Saraland has been to the 6A State Championship Game under this man, Jeff Kelly, three times in the last nine years.

No blue trophy yet.

They are hoping tonight is the night here in Auburn that they can celebrate a State Championship.

Fourth and one, they line up to go for it.

Now we've got another stop, another time out here.

- [Coach Rhoades] It looks like they had what they wanted.

It was pretty soft over there to the top of the screen in the Mountain Brook defense.

But we gotta stop agent, I don't know, thought it was a timeout, but evidently not, so here we go.

That's Mountain Brook.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] They overload the right side and they do snap it.

Lacey keeps and he's gonna get around the edge, first down and more.

(crowd cheering) And he is gonna take it all the way.

That is Williams for another touchdown.

(crowd cheering) - [Coach Rhoades] Now Mountain Brook had an edge defender out there, but that edge wasn't wide enough.

He just outran the defender to that side.

Most people have said he's maybe the best player in Alabama weren't kidding.

He has put on a show here in this first half.

- [Coach Clark] You know, that nub side always scares me.

When you overload, especially they came back with counter tray two blockers, you gotta get upfield and get that thrown inside shoulder.

Now, easier said than done, but I'm always worried about that upside.

- [Coach Rhoades] I agree 100%.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] And Kirkland connects on the extra point as Saraland scores their third touchdown of the half, 21-3 now and I tell ya, that speed to the edge to that side of the field, that's hard to defend.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, it really is and really the safety of that side had to see those polars much quicker and fly downhill to try to get outside to support and he's just a little bit too late right here and just too much speed.

- [Mickey] So I would assume that this young man would have an offer from both of you guys, right?

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah.

He can come play in Austria anytime.

Notice he keeps it pretty simple right here once after the score.

- [Mickey] No crane move.

- [Coach Clark] He would help my back heal up a lot, having this guy.

- [Coach Rhoades] I'd say that back would feel real good.

- [Coach Clark] Make me a lot smarter.

- [Mickey] And here's your ALDOT scoring drive.

Five plays covering 80 yards in just a little over two minutes, and once again, it's Williams.

He's been the story of the first half.

He has not disappointed, has he guys?

- Not at all, no sir.

- Impressive.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now, this is really, really tough psychological, you know, you'll fight your guts out.

You get down there, you get something on the board and three plays later, you're receiving the kickoff after a touchdown.

- [Mickey] And this kickoff fielded by Will Waldrop and Waldrop for turn out to about the 35, so seven minutes to go here in the first half.

Mountain Brook gets the football back with a 21 to three deficit.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now I think what would serve Mountain Brook really well right now is some tunnel vision.

You know, let's live it.

Let's live six seconds at a time.

Let's get four yards every snap.

Let's milk that clock a little bit.

Let's drive down the field and let's punch it into the end zone for six.

I think that's a mentality that would serve them pretty well at this point.

- [Mickey] Colvin hands off to Gamble.

Gamble over the left side, a gain of three out to the 39 yard line.

Tackle made that time by Jermaine Paramore Jr. Second down and seven.

- [Coach Rhoades] You look at a Gamble's number, he's averaging about 4.4 yards of carry.

That's about half of what he's been doing all year.

- [Mickey] Colvin pass clean out here to Gamble.

It's a good block from his receiver.

Flag comes in at the end of the play, very close to an ALDOT first down.

Have to sort out the penalty.

- [Coach Rhoades] And he's gonna be a yard short, but penalty obviously is gonna have a bearing on this.

- [Mickey] Possibly a face mask at the end of the play.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think that's it.

That is definitely a face mask.

- [Mickey] Jamison Curtis getting his hand up there on the face mask.

- During the run, personal foul, face mask.

- [Coach Clark] We know those last four minutes.

- Penalty's 15 yards.

- [Coach Clark] The middle eight, you know.

Start fast, finish the fourth, but that middle eight and you know, I guess you could kind of say this, it's gonna be huge.

- [Coach Rhoades] No, no, super critical.

They got a little drive going here.

If they could get on the board and get a stop, this game could turn around a lot, but boy, I tell ya what, Saraland is, they pushed every right button to this point.

- [Coach Clark] Well turnover's an explosive play.

- [Coach Rhoades] You won a lot of games if you can create both.

- That's right, that's right.

- [Mickey] First in 10, Spartans at the Saraland 40.

Colvin gets it out to Sanderson.

Takes a hit behind the line of scrimmage.

Great job defensively on the edge that time by Saraland's Edrick White.

- [Coach Rhoades] He ran that screen that time it came flying up.

Set that edge really, really well and got a big hit.

Sanderson did a nice job, keep his feet, gained a yard.

- [Coach Clark] Yeah, yeah.

Let's say you gotta play those bubble, you gotta go, you gotta, you gotta trigger.

- [Mickey] Second down and nine.

Football spotted just inside the Saraland 40.

We're under six minutes to play here in the first half.

Colvin hands it off to Gamble.

He's taken off his feet at the 35 yard line by Saraland's Jamison Curtis.

He's gonna set up another third down.

Third down and about five.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think these next two downs are the most critical downs of this game to this point for the Mountain Brook Spartans.

Gotta keep this drive going.

Don't think a field goal's gonna do it.

They gotta get seven.

- [Coach Clark] They're in four down territory.

And I know as a play caller, when I know that, of course, you're the head coach calling it so you know, Chris should know it.

I'm sure that's what he wants to do.

- [Mickey] Mountain Brook one of five on third down attempts here in the first half.

Colvin throws down the seam, he's got Sanderson wide open and Sanderson adjusts and makes a catch and that's gonna be a huge first down inside the 15 yard line as Mountain Brook enters the Alabama Votes Red Zone.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well they've been throwing the bubble, they've been throwing the bubble, they've been throwing the bubble, now they throw the bubble and go.

And very well executed and good concentration to catch that ball.

It was a little bit underthrown and Mountain Brooks knocking on the door.

- [Mickey] First down at the 12 yard line.

And it looks like the shift created a defensive penalty.

- [Coach Rhoades] Should be an easy five.

- Before the play, against the defense, penalty five yards, first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, it is tough because that shift looks an awful like a goal.

- It does.

- [Mickey] How about this?

- [Coach Rhoades] Broke in the Conga line.

- [Mickey] Is this a single file huddle, Coach Clark?

- [Coach Clark] As long as we've coached, you've seen a lot.

That's one of those things you don't see a lot, but just another look.

- [Mickey] Here is Gamble.

It's too many red jerseys to try to navigate around that time, Saraland good defense.

- [Coach Rhoades] They really adjusted that stretch play.

- [Coach Clark] They have.

- [Coach Rhoades] Better as the scheme has gone on and that's not good news for Mountain Brook.

- [Coach Clark] Nope.

- [Mickey] Second down and three.

It's William's first half, fast-moving second quarter already under four minutes here.

Very important series here for this Mountain Brook offense.

Already down 21-3, they need seven.

Here's Gamble.

Cuts it back up inside and is gonna be stopped just short of the goal line.

A lot of red jerseys running toward the football, but that looks like it's gonna be a first and goal.

- [Coach Rhoades] Good tough running.

You know, run the reverse off this right here, tries to cut it back up inside, runs right into a bunch of red shirts, but boy keeps those feet moving and just gets some help from his buddies.

I thought for a minute he was gonna take it into the end zone.

- [Mickey] So it is first and goal.

Football spotted at the one yard line.

Here's Gamble lined up in the wildcat formation.

Takes it, sticks his head in there and gets that ball across the plane, it is a touchdown, Mountain Brook, the Department of Human Resources Touchdown.

- [Coach Rhoades] That is a big time drive in a badly, badly needed situation.

- [Coach Clark] Good answer.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] Coach Bill Clark's been joining us here in the second quarter.

Coach, I know we kept you a little longer than half the quarter, but we sure enjoyed the visit, enjoyed the update, catching up with you and we look forward to seeing you and the work you're doing, but obviously Coach Rhoades and I wanna see you back on the sidelines.

- [Coach Clark] You bet, thank you guys, appreciate you.

- [Coach Rhoades] Stay well, stay well.

- [Coach Clark] Good to see you, my friend.

- Good to see you.

- Great job.

- [Mickey] Thanks, Coach Clark.

- [Coach Clark] Appreciate you so much.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, same here.

- [Mickey] And the extra point is through there.

And that cuts the Saraland lead to 21 to 10.

We are back to Jordan-Hare Stadium after this timeout.

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We need you.

- Our kids need you.

- Motivate them.

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- [Coach McGinnis] CoachSafely, win without losses.

- [Mickey] And a look at the big crowd turning out tonight here Jordan-Hare Stadium fans from Mountain Brook.

They had a lot to cheer about on that previous drive.

Here was the key play as Colvin connects with Sanderson.

That was a 25-yard throw-in catch with a first down and then here's Gamble on the short touchdown running.

Coach, that was very important drive.

- [Coach Rhoades] Really was, it was a must.

They had to have that right here and now.

Now this next two minutes and 51 seconds is really, really critical.

(whistle chirps) - [Mickey] And the kickoff.

A short kick that'll be fielded at the 32 yard line by Saraland's Harrison Chisel.

And there's a scoring drive, eight plays, 65 yards.

You mentioned at the start of the drive that it would be important for Mountain Brook to put together some first downs and take some time off the clock, give their defensive breather and Coach, that's exactly what this ALDOT drive did.

- [Coach Rhoades] And ended up with points on the board and that's exactly what they were able to do.

I mean it was a clutch drive of all clutch drives.

But this defensive stand is every bit as important as Saraland has proven that they can score from just about anywhere on the field.

- [Mickey] So explosive is this Saraland offense and here we go, flag comes in on the end of this run by Sante McWilliams.

That is a first down, pending the penalty.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well it's usually a hold in a situation like that so we'll see.

- [Mickey] That is the preliminary call from Wayne Pierce.

(logo swooshing) There it is, Coach, number 16 for Saraland, Jordan D. - [Coach Rhoades] Got a wad full of jersey.

- During the play, holding against the offense, penalty is 10 yards, first down.

- [Mickey] Go back to Bill Clark for a moment.

Sounds like he's kind of excited about his health improving and the prospects for what's ahead.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, I don't think anybody knows the kind pain he was operating.

I mean, anybody knows anything about Coach Clark knows he know football and he's not gonna walk away and this is something that's really, and I had a chance to talk with him, you know, out in the hallway for a good bit.

One of things talk about is that really his health is a lot better and he's got a chance to get rid of all that pain and everything and who knows, maybe he'll do it again.

I know he is great for the game of football, but the biggest thing is he deserves to live a happy life without all that pain.

- [Mickey] Second down and 18.

Lacy in trouble, so quick with his feet.

Gets the pass downfield, it's complete.

That was a great job there by Lacy on the receiving end of that catch, Jordan D. - [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, really was because he was dead rights in the backfield.

There's an unblocked Spartan, unblocked green Spartan right there you can see and he slips underneath.

Good little move right here.

Kinda slings one out there for a near first down.

- [Mickey] Definitely puts him in a very makeable third one.

Saraland one of three on third downs here in the first half and Williams lines up and the wildcat takes the snap, takes a hit, it's gonna fall forward and I believe have it.

That was a good defensive play there by Mountain Brook, they just only needed a yard.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah it really was, but I think the spot, I think he's got it by about half a yard.

Tried to run off tackle in there.

There were a lot of white shirts there, but enough for the first down.

- [Mickey] And it is a first down, an ALDOT first down for Saraland.

Just under two minutes here to play in the first half.

This is a critical last minute, 38 here.

- [Coach Rhoades] It really is, and I gotta, you know, I just really believe that Saraland is gonna stretch this field at least one more time in the remaining minute 38 of this half.

(crowd yelling) Stoppage here and I don't know why they stopped.

- Please reset the game clock to two minutes and two seconds.

- [Mickey] That's a lot of time.

(crowd yelling) So plenty of time here for Saraland and they do have two timeouts remaining and of course they have guys that can take it to the house in one play.

So needless to say, plenty of time for this Saraland offense.

Here is McWilliams racing toward the edge, gets around the corner, tiptoeing down the sideline, takes a shot and still though gets it inside the Mountain Brook 40 for the ALDOT first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] A good job of of getting on that edge and very well blocked.

Again, you wanna have somebody with an outside arm free to the outside to turn 'em in.

And you can see the Mountain Brook defense gets outflanked runs right through the arm tackle, pretty big hit at the end.

Big first down for Saraland.

- [Mickey] And Williams lines up again behind the center, takes the snap and takes off and Williams gets it just inside the 35 yard line.

He was wrapped up there by Mountain Brook's Luke Maddox and along with Vaughn Frost.

Second down and six.

Second down and four, I should say after a game of six.

And McWilliams is gonna be taken down at the 30 from behind by Mountain Brooks Hampton King.

That'll set up another third down less than a yard.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, ran a little cross buck action there and came up just short.

Looks like Saraland is gonna use a timeout.

- [Mickey] That will leave Saraland with one timeout as they stop the clock with 52 seconds to play here in the first half.

They've taken a look at the chains over there.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, he, you know, based on the spot, he was short.

I don't know if they've adjusted that or what.

(fans yelling) An official at the 29 yard line with his foot in place, but it's not where the ball is.

There's the ball.

Still's a little bit short, not much though.

Tell you what, it's gonna be within an inch or two, either way I think.

I think he's got it.

Short.

- [Mickey] Third down and inches.

52 seconds remaining here in the first half.

Coming up at halftime, it'll be the Jefferson County Halftime Show.

- Timeout Saraland.

That's the second charge, timeout at the half.

- [Coach Rhoades] Looking at these stats right here, 99 yards passing for Mountain Brook, just 64 yards rushing.

That's very Mountain Brook-like.

Normally those yards are, and they're pretty balanced team, but those rushing yards are usually much, much more than that.

- [Referee] Please reset the game clock to 55 seconds please.

- [Coach Rhoades] They average about 250 yards a game rushing and they're well off that right now.

- [Mickey] And while Saraland on pace for a 500 plus total yardage game, they have 271 right now.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you know those, I don't think he was very happy with the spot.

- [Mickey] Coach Yeager.

- [Coach Rhoades] That's about as animated as you'll see Coach Yeager.

- [Mickey] Yeah, he is clearly upset.

Read his lips, said, "Unbelievable, unbelievable."

- [Coach Rhoades] That's when he gets really mad, he says that.

- [Mickey] What was interesting there, this stoppage here, we thought it was originally a timeout but it was I guess the officials talking about a measurement and then we got the official word that there was a Saraland timeout, so we've had a long stoppage in play here.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I mean, very, very lengthy call.

(crowd yelling) - [Mickey] In case you've forgotten, it is third and short.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yes it is.

- [Mickey] As we resume play.

- [Coach Rhoades] It was about two weeks ago, but it is.

I think they flinched.

- [Mickey] It is Williams.

He's gonna have the first down, the ALDOT first down at the 20, just inside the 27 yard line so that'll move the chains, keep the drive alive.

- [Coach Rhoades] Did I see that wrong, Mickey?

I thought that right guard moved a little bit before the snap.

Obviously not, was not called, so big first down for Saraland.

- [Mickey] In Saraland with one time out remaining.

Lacy back in there, quarterback.

Throws it to Williams who's looking to throw it and instead will take off and run and this is when he is so dangerous, gets around the edge and will be taken down at about the 10 yard line and a lot of that Ryan Williams just doing on his own is finally caught up to by Vaughn Frost, but so it's gonna be first and goal.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now that was gonna be a double pass.

Williams was gonna throw the football very well coverage and a lot of unblocked white shirts out there, he just reverses his field and I thought for a minute, he was gonna run out of back of the end zone, but a nice hustling play by the Spartan defense.

- [Mickey] Lacey's pass is batted down by Mountain Brook's defensive front there, number 91 Parker Avery.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think you'll see one play from scrimmage at least Saraland has one timeout left.

I would be surprised to see the ball go in for one again.

In the back of your screen, one on one.

- [Mickey] Here comes the blitz.

Lacey throws to the end zone and its incomplete, no flag.

It was intended for Saraland's Brooks Womble and the coverage back there by Mountain Brook's Braxton Dean.

- [Coach Rhoades] Just trying to throw the fade to the outside and the inside receiver comes back outside.

The balls really kinda throwing in between.

I think Saraland is gonna try to run one more play.

They still have that timeout in their hip pocket.

They try to get something out quick.

Five seconds, they're gonna cut it close.

- [Mickey] Lacey passes away, Williams has got it and he stops short of the goal line.

A tremendous defensive play by Mountain Brook's Tucker Crawford.

(crowd cheering) - [Coach Rhoades] Now the clock says zero and Mountain Brook is taking it to the house.

Saraland is still on the field and we're gonna see now what the officials come up with.

(crowd cheering) I looked at the board and it looked like when they signaled out of bounds that there was one second left, but.

- [Mickey] They see Wayne Pierce coming over talking to Jeff Kelly.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, the officials have not left the field yet, so that usually means they're gonna put something else on the board.

- Saraland is challenging the last play.

(crowd cheering) The previous play is under review.

- [Mickey] So let's take a look at the play and we'll also have the clock in the picture as well.

Should tell us a lot.

- [Coach Rhoades] Right there, right there, right there.

- [Mickey] I think two things are clear, Coach, he did not score and I think there is going to be time put on the clock.

- [Coach Rhoades] It definitely looks like it.

Now when does the clock stop?

When he goes out bounds or when the official signals he was out of bounds?

That's the question.

Definitely doesn't get in the end zone.

He's out now.

His feet were in bounds.

When the ball hits the ground, that's when he's out of bounds.

That makes it a little more difficult call because the first thing that went out of bounds was not one of his feet, both his feet were in bounds.

First thing that made contact was the ball out of bounds.

And is that, did that leave time?

I don't know.

I sure would like to see that again.

- [Mickey] Great effort by Tucker Crawford.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yes, yes.

And watch his feet right here, they're in bounds.

The clock is still in bounds, still in bounds, still in bounds.

Well, that left foot looked like it hit the white line right there.

And that's a big difference, that's half a second.

In this situation, a half a second is an eternity.

(logo swooshing) - After further review, there's two seconds left on the game clock.

(crowd cheering) First down, fourth down and goal.

- [Coach Rhoades] All right, you got two seconds.

Do you kick a field goal or do you go for it?

I think they're gonna go.

- [Mickey] So barring a defensive penalty, one more play here for Saraland, fourth and goal from the one.

- [Coach Rhoades] Big time play.

- [Mickey] Yes, big, big play here to end this first half, whichever way it goes.

- [Coach Rhoades] It might be a big surprise to see Mountain Brook bring in the house and try to disrupt this thing before it ever starts.

(whistle chirping) - [Mickey] Time out Mountain Brook.

- [Referee] Time out Mountain Brook.

That's their first charge time out of the half.

- [Coach Rhoades] They gotta look at the formation and I think wanted to talk about it a little bit more.

- [Mickey] Well Ryan Williams was not lined up in the wildcat.

It was quarterback Lacey back there and McWilliams at running back.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think that means there might be a possibility that the ball might be given to McWilliams lined up at running back.

Well, you can see why the University of Alabama has already offered a scholarship to that young man and I think he's pretty solid on that, but he's gonna get a lot more suitors before his high school career was over.

- [Mickey] They have used him effectively from wildcat position.

When he takes a snap and just races to the corner, it's hard to catch this young man.

- [Coach Rhoades] They really do a masterful job of moving him around and make it so difficult on the defense.

- [Mickey] So here we go out of the timeout.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now McWilliams is now just inside the hash to the top of the screen.

He's a single receiver out there and he's doubled.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] And now they shift and here comes Williams in the back field to take the snap.

He's got it and he's in.

Touchdown Saraland, final play of the first half, the Department of Human Resources Touchdown.

- [Coach Rhoades] Big, big score.

The psychological aspect of that touchdown right before the half is huge.

What a clutch drive by Saraland.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] Here is Hunter Kirkland on to attempt the extra point.

And he is now four for four in that department.

The Electric Co-ops of Alabama Extra Point makes it a 28-10 game here at halftime.

(crowd cheering) What a first half for Ryan Williams for Saraland.

Jefferson County Halftime Show is coming your way in just a bit.

We are getting ready to send it down to the field to Susan Carothers standing by with coach Jeff Kelly.

- Hey, Coach, well, you've got a nice lead here.

You just made it nicer in the last two seconds, but what's your plan for the second half?

- You know, we gotta slow those guys down.

You know, they're doing a lot of different things.

It's causing us trouble right now defensively.

We gotta get in there and just calm things down and go play.

You know, it comes down to fundamentals, being able fit correctly, make tackles, get 'em in third down.

If we can do that, I think we'll be all right, but the score there, it's a late, you know, right there at the end was huge.

You know, we need, we get it first, start the second half, we could push our chips in the middle right there and you know, if we can get something going right there, it could be a 14-point deal, so a huge way to finish it, but we got a long way to go.

Coach Yeager, those guys, great football team.

Lot of ball left to play.

- Right, we'll see you in the second half.

- Thank you.

- [Mickey] All right, thanks, Susan.

And as we go to break, Ryan Williams, a big first half and he ends the first half with this touchdown run.

It's 28-10, Saraland in the 6A State Championship Game.

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(gentle music) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama, as my home sweet home.

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It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

("Easy Like Sunday Morning") (smooth jazz music) (upbeat music) - [Announcer] Are you an enthusiastic sports fan?

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(reflective music) (music crescendos) - [Narrator] A game without a crowd is just a scrimmage.

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- [Announcer] This message presented by the AHSAA.

(upbeat music) - [Announcer] This is the Jefferson County Halftime Show.

- Welcome back to an electric Jordan-Hare Stadium.

We are at halftime of the 6A State Championship Game.

Saraland taking advantage of some big plays from Ryan Williams to take a 28-10 lead to Mountain Brook at the half.

And now we are excited to be joined by a gentleman I've known for a lot of years.

He created a lot of excitement on this field as an all SEC quarterback for the Auburn Tigers and now he is the Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, Alvin Briggs.

Alvin, thank you so much for being with us.

- Thanks for being here, Kevin.

I'm glad to see you and this time you're not writing bad about me.

- I never did.

- No, no you didn't.

- You like to tell that story about me.

- No, you didn't.

It is exciting, Kevin.

I mean, we've had since Wednesday with our flag in 7A and had all our 1A, 3A, 5A yesterday and had two exciting games already this morning with 4A and 2A and got exciting game going even though the scoreboard doesn't say it, exciting game going on here now 6A final last game for the week.

- Absolutely, and we have to congratulate your officials.

You know, that's a very difficult job and there was a tough play, bang bang play at the end of the first half.

There was a review, they got it right, they put time back on the clock.

That was the correct call.

And then Saraland was able to punch it in for that final touchdown, but speak to the difficulty of the job they do and the appreciation you have for the work they do.

- I mean, I really do 'cause they gonna make half the people mad and half the people happy, but they've done a great job and we've been able to implement instant replay in our playoffs and it's been great.

And you're right, the best thing to do and what we're trying to do is get it right.

We're not trying to show anybody up.

We got it right.

They showed the replay, there was two seconds left and we're able to do what they need to do and that's what we wanna do.

They have done an excellent job.

They have a tough job, but they have done an excellent job.

- And the excitement and the enthusiasm in the Auburn-Opelika area this week for this event, you know, Alvin, I'm almost ashamed to say, this is the first time I've seen the entire Super 7 in person.

I've usually been covering Alabama Auburn, getting ready for the SEC Championship Game and I've been blown away by the work done by you and your staff, the organizing committee in Auburn-Opelika, everyone involved, it's been a home run.

- Well, I tell ya, this community, I call it the gold standard because they set the standard for across the nation and it started with Mr. Watchman, Mr. Bubba Scott and of course Coach Savarese when they formed and what we started doing our championship series, but Auburn and Opelika has taken and embraced it and the hundreds, when I say hundreds, I mean several hundred volunteers that give up their work days to help volunteer and do these things for these communities and the communities and throughout our state have come and they've enjoyed it and been festive.

You know, you look at these stands and it's amazing.

They've shut down these cities to come participate and watched their team in Jordan-Hare and that's what we want to do and, you know, we have to give our hands off Ron Anders and Mayor Fuller of Opelika who have just turned out and did what we need to do and all the people that's involved in this.

- And you are always looking for ways to improve the product and make it even more special for the young men and women who are here, not just the athletes, the band members, the cheerleaders, the families.

- It's community effort, it's community effort.

You know, you look, you see you got halftime going.

Everybody's excited about it.

The whole, when I say community, I'm talking about the school community as well, the community that support 'em.

It's all about it and the surrounding communities come watch 'em play and this is what exciting, this is what Friday night in Alabama is like.

- And it is in communities all across the state.

And this year, another innovation.

You've added Alabama Public Television carrying the games over the air across the entire state.

I know you've gotta be excited about that.

- I am so excited.

We've gotten rave reviews and I tell you what, what ATP is doing, it's been a next level for us.

I mean, you joked on coming on being Reese Davis, but it has, I've gotten so many compliments about you, about our broadcasters and what they're doing and Vince Early, who's been covering for and who brought ATP to our office and made this happen.

I have to give Vince a lot of credit for this 'cause he made this happen.

He told me it would be next level and it has been.

We've gotten a lot of rave reviews about it.

- We're visiting with Alvin Briggs, the Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

I'll tell you another thing that's blown me away, Alvin, is the camera work.

I saw an angle at the goal line in the foray game better than anything I've seen in an SEC game or an NFL game this year.

- I have to give it to Vince.

Vince brought his crew and DVSports and all the things we have with them and Vince say, "Hey, I'm gonna have every angle covered," and he has and that's what they're doing.

Again, hats off to Vince and what his crew's done.

- Well Alvin, we've gotta run to a break, but again, congratulations to everyone at the AHSAA for putting on a magnificent event and making memories for a lot of us, including me.

- Well Kevin, my friend, I wanna thank you for what you do for sports in Alabama and especially high school sports and what you're doing with your CoachSafely program.

You're involved in that and all those things that you and you're involved with 'cause you have young people that's involved in athletics now and it means a lot more to you and I'm glad to have you a part of us.

- Well, I'm humbled by those words, my friend.

Thank you so much.

Again, he's Alvin Briggs, Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

They set the standard for high school athletics across this country.

We'll be right back.

(crowd cheering) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] I know early, but it's okay to move around in your seat doing what you got to do.

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(upbeat music) - [Kevin] We're back here at Jordan-Hare Stadium, just in electric atmosphere at halftime of the 6A Championship Game.

Saraland 28, Mountain Brook 10.

We've got a lot more to come in the halftime, I'm sorry, the Jefferson County Halftime Show.

I'll get it right, stay with me.

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(Poppy barks) - [Announcer] Welcome back to the Jefferson County Halftime Show.

- I'm Kevin Scarbinsky, your host, here with Coach Duwan Walker.

We are at halftime of the 6A Championship Game, the finale of the Super 7 and we have seen fireworks galore.

Saraland up 28-10 on Mountain Brook.

Coach Walker, we've got a lot of highlights to look at, so we wanna get to 'em as quickly as we can, but what's your first thought on the first half?

- Electric, electric.

Ryan Williams, he was, I mean, getting the ball to him, he made some smart coaches tonight and I'm sure he gonna have so many touches in this game and it's a shame if he doesn't have those touches because he's a difference maker.

- Absolutely, let's look at these highlights from the first half, many of them from Saraland, but also Mountain Brook.

There he is, number one, keep your eye on him.

- [Coach Walker] Let me tell ya- - [Kevin] You're gonna watch him from behind.

You're gonna see his shoes kicking up if you're chasing him.

- [Coach Walker] That's exactly right.

A sophomore, got a lot of more time left to play.

- [Kevin] Yes.

- [Coach Walker] When the ball goes in air, you know where it's coming down to.

- [Kevin] He got flagged for the crane.

- [Coach Walker] He did, he did.

- [Kevin] And I think he did the crane because he's committed to Alabama and that was their thing with their receivers last season, but here comes Mountain brook, a nice pass play there, and they get on the board with a field goal and just when you think there's some momentum for the Spartans from the north, here comes Ryan Williams.

- [Coach Walker] Ryan Williams, going the distance.

And I'm telling you, you know, to stop a player like that, you're gonna have to just sell out and put a guy on him and put a guy over the top of him and you're gonna have to make plays and try to keep the ball away from their offense.

- [Kevin] There's Cole Gamble from Mountain Brook powering into the end zone.

And there is that man.

I don't know how he escaped from that crowd.

Watch this play.

- [Coach Walker] Catches it, get out of bounds with two seconds left on the clock and then punches it in again.

- [Kevin] Showed some power on that last one, didn't he, Coach?

- Exactly, exactly.

- I was really surprised he made that corner.

He was able to get to the corner and then the cutback was so impressive on the two plays previous to the touchdown.

- His speed, I mean you don't know how fast it is until you see him in person and the way people even had angles on him and he can, he still, you know, beat that angle, he's unbelievable.

- There's a reason that they use the phrase SEC speed, isn't there, coach?

- No doubt and he has that, he's a special player.

- Yes and I talked to the superintendent of Saraland Schools and he told me he's just as good a person as he is a player and that's an incredible compliment.

- That's what all of this boils down to.

These coaches, they pour their lives into these players and it's all about building character because that same character bleeds onto the field.

And if you're playing this time of the year, if you're playing football right now with Christmas music playing, you're doing a lot of things right, but you see a lot of character out of these young men.

- Yes, Ryan Williams first half, eight carries, 172 yards and three touchdowns.

What does Mountain Brook have to do in the second half to get back in this game and push it to the fourth quarter, to the last five minutes of the fourth quarter?

- Mountain Brook has to score.

They gotta figure out a way to get the ball to the end zone.

They have to score and once they start that scoring, get some momentum going, they gotta keep the ball away from Saraland.

I mean they gotta keep the ball, they gotta then manage the clock, but they got to get the ball to the end zone.

- Yeah, how do you defend a great player?

You keep the ball out of his hands by keeping it in your hands as an offense, grinding out long drives, but then converting them into touchdowns.

That drive where Mountain Brook, they've had a couple of nice drives but they had to settle for that field goal and Saraland scoring touchdowns, touchdowns beat field goals every time, right?

- Every time, they gotta get points on the board with touchdowns.

Field goals will not last in this game.

Whenever you have electric players on the other side, I mean that's a lot of sophomores that's electric.

I mean it's not just Ryan Williams, it's other guys that can get it done as well.

But they gotta do a really good job of scoring touchdowns this next half.

- We'll see if they can get that done.

We're gonna go to break here from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

We've got a second half to play.

We're gonna throw it back upstairs when we come back.

Stay with us on Alabama Public Television, an electric 30 minutes of football left here from the Super 7.

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(upbeat music) (upbeat music) - And we are back inside Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, the 6A State Championship Game tonight and it is a big lead at halftime for Saraland over Mountain Brook 28-10.

Mickey Shadrix and Coach Rick Rhoades rejoining you now.

And Coach, that was a a very interesting first half.

We knew coming into this game how explosive this Saraland offense could be, especially number one, Ryan Williams and that was exactly what we saw in the first half.

- Yeah, it really is a very perplexing problem for Mountain Brook and that's something we can talk about as the second half develops.

- I send it down to Susan down on the field with Coach Yeager.

- Hey, Coach, your team very much still in this game.

What is your plan for the second half?

- Well, we would like to be able to have some sustained drives and keep their offense off the field to help our defense.

We're gonna have to get some stops, but the best thing that we can do is to try and keep the ball, to be honest with you.

- What are you gonna do about number one?

(Coach Yeager laughs) - We're gonna just do our best to try and tackle him, do a better job tackling, you know, and play team ball and get better fits.

- Sounds good, good luck in the second half, thank you.

- Thank you, appreciate it, thank you.

- [Mickey] That's a very honest and forthright Coach Chris Yeager as we look at our halftime stats and you know, 300 yards of total offense for Saraland, about 230 of that from number one, Ryan Williams, and Mountain Brook coach, they held the football for almost 15 minutes.

They were able to move the ball, they just could not get it into the end zone as much as Saraland did.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well yeah, and in that time of possession is always one of those stats that you gotta read the rest of the story.

I think the biggest stat of this game is Cole Gamble's 67 yards, only 3.9 yards per carry.

They've done a really, really great job of limiting his effectiveness in this game.

If Mountain Brook is going to do what Coach Yeager just said, they're gonna have to get a lot more production out of their running game and mix in those play acts and passes because you can see the frustration in Coach Yeager's answer in trying to defend this guy and it's very legitimate.

I mean he lines up everywhere and really the only, how do you defend somebody like Ryan Williams?

You gotta put somebody covering him one on one, as good as he is.

- [Mickey] And let's take a look, Coach, at what you're talking about here.

This was number one, Ryan Williams.

This was the first time he really broke loose.

He's got four touchdowns in the first half, all of Saraland's scoring from number one, but he caught the football, they lined him up in the wildcat position.

He just did a lot of damage to Mountain Brook's defense in this first half.

- [Coach Rhoades] You saw him run a speed sweep, you saw him catch a touchdown pass.

That time he ran as they tail back and now he runs inside off tackle.

That's a lot of different ways to score and that's a lot of different positions and that makes it extremely difficult to try to handle.

Seen his numbers, 230 yards of total offense by himself in the first half.

You talk about living up to your billing, he has certainly done that.

- [Mickey] Yeah, three rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown and Coach Yeager said it pretty well as they've gotta possess the football, that's their best chance in this second half.

- [Coach Rhoades] It really is and you know, we're just halfway through now.

I mean anything can happen in a football game but I mean you could tell from this very honest answer from Coach Chris Yeager, they've got a real big job in containing, you know, number one, you know, keep the ball, get some turnovers.

Sure you can try to double cover him, but pretty hard to double cover a guy that lines up everywhere.

Try double covering a running back sometime.

That's not real easy to do.

It's a monumental a challenge for Mountain Brook and really just a masterful game plan and system to take advantage of a really special talent in Ryan Williams.

- [Mickey] Saraland will receive the second half kickoff.

You may recall Mountain Brook won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball, so Saraland, they got the touchdown there at the end of the first half on the final play of the first half and they'll receive the ball here to begin the third quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] You wonder if they might an onsite kick to start the second half.

- [Mickey] Here's our Department of Human Resources Kickoff, changing lives throughout Alabama.

And this is Williams.

He has to get back to the 15 yard line.

That was great coverage by Mountain Brook's Jack King.

- [Coach Rhoades] Really, really nice coverage right there.

Flew down the field and that's really the least productive play that Ryan Williams has had in this entire football game.

Is that an omen for the second half?

We'll see.

- [Mickey] So here comes KJ Lacey leading this Saraland offense out onto the field in a very key possession here to begin the second half.

Lacey eight of 13 passing in the first half for 83 yards.

Also had one rush for negative five yards so here is McWilliams running play and he is across the 20 for a gain of seven on first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, that's the other thing you have to consider is there's a lot more weapons in the stable that really Saraland has not had to go to yet that could do some real damage.

- [Mickey] Second down and three.

(whistle chirping) - [Coach Rhoades] That's gonna be a receiver.

(marching band music) - Before the play, snapped infraction against the offense.

A penalty of five yards, second down.

- [Coach Rhoades] So we go from second and four to second and nine which is of some significance.

(marching band music) - [Mickey] Walk it back at the 16, second down and eight after the penalty, quick pass and it is incomplete.

Intended for CD Gill, but let him a bit too far.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, just ran a little quick hitch out there, but was a little quicker on the hitch than Lacey thought it was gonna be.

Here's an opportunity for the Mountain Brook defense to get off the field on third and eight.

- [Coach Rhoades] This quick play right here.

Stop here probably would get Mountain Brook really good field position and of course you know who to keep your eye on.

- [Mickey] Lined up at the top of your screen and Mountain Brook jumps off sides, where they drawn off?

- [Coach Rhoades] Does not appear to be the case.

- Before the play, encroachments.

Encroachment against the defense.

Penalty is five yards, third down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Do you know the history of the starting of football players?

Do you know how many plays have started in the history of football before the ball's been snapped?

- [Mickey] I've heard that somewhere before, zero.

Third and three, as though Saraland needed any help here.

Here is Williams, takes a shot in good pursuit by Mountain Brook.

I think they stopped him just short, about a yard short of the first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] I'll tell you this is gonna be close.

I don't know, I'm looking at the line judge at the top right there.

He's saying fourth down.

This is gonna be fourth and very, very short.

A bit surprised to see Saraland go, I mean.

- [Mickey] Oh, they're saying first down now, Coach, you were right, he got it.

- [Coach Rhoades] That's a big first down.

- [Mickey] That was a big penalty before the play.

Here is McWilliams and his forward progress halted at around the 27 yard line, so a gain of three, second down and seven.

- [Coach Rhoades] Good tough interior defense right there and good tough inside running by that young man.

- [Mickey] And give him four yards, second down and six.

(marching band music) Now the receivers are lined up now, passes away and caught, McWilliams, quick out of the backfield.

Good yardage after the catch up to the 43 yard line.

Another ALDOT first down for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] It's just a little swing pass out of the backfield.

Had a flat defender over there but gets caught too far inside.

You can see him in the right hand corner of your screen.

Thought for a minute he was gonna run out of that tackle and still be running.

Nice shoestring tackle right here to save that from being a big one but another big first down for Saraland.

- [Mickey] You can see Coach Kelly, his offense to take their time here and work the clock already.

Here's the hand off to McWilliams, bounces it outside and nice gang tackling there by the Mountain Brook defense.

They got a couple of players there, Parker Avery, defensive lineman there.

- [Coach Rhoades] Try to bounce outside is you look right there, number 36, the inside linebacker gets out clean but then the pursuit is able to come in and make the play and hold that to just a three-yard game.

- [Mickey] Second down and seven.

Now here's Williams lined up and the wildcat takes the snap and here he goes and a flag comes in behind the play.

Williams is going to step outta bounds what appears to be a first down.

We're gonna have a hold in penalty, this one is coming back.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, very late flag, but clearly in the area where holds are called and it's gonna back Saraland up, it's gonna be about a second and about 13, I think.

- [Mickey] There's the hold on the edge there by Saraland's Brooks Womble, number 15.

- [Coach Rhoades] That looks like, I don't know if he had enough for the first time but it was really close but it's all for not as he comes back.

- During the play, holding against the offense.

10 yard penalty, second down.

- [Mickey] So that makes it second and 16 back at the 37.

- [Coach Rhoades] And in some ways, you know, really this is about as dangerous as it gets for Mountain Brook because they're gonna open up the playbook now and they're gonna try to stretch the field and they've been pretty successful doing that tonight.

- [Mickey] Williams lined up at the bottom of your screen, Lacey throws it out to McWilliams and he is tackled from behind, great pursuit from the backside there by Mountain Brook's Billy Radney.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, great pursuit by that young man.

You know, Mountain Brook defense playing hard.

They can read a scoreboard too.

This is such a crucial play right here now, third down and 16.

I'm sure they'll try to get the ball to one of those really good receivers probably, you know who in space.

- [Mickey] Lacey looking at his direction throws to Williams and this too far out of the reach of number one, Ryan Williams so that will bring up forth down in the Mountain Brook defense able to come up with a huge stop here on the second half, first possession for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, really just a little, a little bit impatient by by Lacy.

That was the post corner and the corner of that side bit hard on the post fake and winds was wide open for the ball way underthrown.

- [Mickey] So here is the punt.

And a fair catch called for and made by Jackson Beatty, so Mountain Brook will get the football back.

They'll have it first in 10 at their 27 yard line so that is exactly what Coach Yeager wanted to see here to start the second half.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, it really was and really a lot more conservative play selection than I thought there would be in that drive right here.

Now this becomes, you know, Mountain Brook has no drives to waste.

They've gotta make 'em all count.

- [Mickey] John Colvin was nine of 14 for 99 yards in that first half.

Had some success throwing on first down.

Here comes the run blitz and Gamble slipped after the handoff and was able to fight forward for a gain of two to the 29 yard line so clearly Saraland is gonna focus on number 19.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, Saraland brought their inside linebacker just about a half a count a little bit late, but he split the center guard gap and disrupted the flow of the zone right away, forced the cutback, you know, right into some waiting arms of his teammate.

- [Mickey] Sanderson, the leading receiver, six catches for 72 yards.

Let's see if they try to target him here a little more in the second half.

They handed off to Gamble, he breaks it outside and either lost his footing or was tripped up.

Looked like he was headed for a first down, but instead it's gonna be third down and three.

- [Coach Rhoades] He looks a little frustrated right there.

I really think that he had the edge and probably just lost his footing.

- [Field Announcer] Third down and three.

- [Mickey] So a big third down coming up here for the Spartans, Mountain Brook two of six in the game so far on third down.

Two tight end formation.

Colvin hands off to Gamble, hits the hole hard, but he is going to be stopped short of the first down.

Nice play there by Chris Thompson.

The 6'2", 220 pound linebacker.

- [Coach Rhoades] Now here's something that's significant.

Gamble's helmet has come off.

He's gonna have to come out of the game unless the play was over when it came off and it looks like in fact the play was over.

- [Mickey] So a three and out here for Mountain Brook, Coach, as they're unable to do anything with the possession.

- [Coach Rhoades] I thought maybe they might go on fourth down being down by three scores, but they're gonna kick it back and boy what a big stop by the Saraland defense.

- [Mickey] The Electric Co-ops of Alabama Punt is a low end-over-end kick that Ryan Williams will pick up and look out.

Ryan Williams returns it out to the 35 yard line about four white jerseys converge on him to get him down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, I would normally say that's a very dangerous play and I still think that there's some danger to it, but somehow it doesn't seem quite as dangerous with number one doing that right there, but good rallying to the ball by Mountain Brook and holds that, but still pretty good field position for Saraland as they start this drive.

- [Field Announcer] First down, Saraland on their own four to five yard line.

- [Mickey] Saraland fans turned out in big, big numbers tonight.

- [Coach Rhoades] And nobody's left on this side.

- [Mickey] Not at all.

- [Coach Rhoades] Nobody's left on either side right here.

This has been a big crowd and they have been into this game.

- [Mickey] Here's a hand off to McWilliams.

Hits the hole hard.

It's out across the 40.

He was tackled there by Luther Madox of Mountain Brook.

Good gain on first down, sets up second and three.

- [Coach Rhoades] Really good push by the left side of the (indistinct) in an offensive line and I think that's been a real difference in this game.

We don't have that stat, but I'd really be interested to see what the first down yardage is and average per play for Mountain Brook and Saraland.

I think it would tell a lot about this game 'cause Mountain Brook has been behind the sticks a lot more than they're accustomed to.

- [Mickey] McWilliams couldn't handle the handoff.

Lacey gets it back and just has to fall down and secure the possession and we got a flag coming in at the end.

You might have seen there, Mountain Brook's Billy Radney took a shot after the play, so we'll see what Wayne Pierce's call is here.

- [Coach Rhoades] He got popped pretty good by Rodney Smith.

He's listed as a fullback and kind of a bench press to the chest.

Let's see if that's gonna be a personal foul.

(marching band music) - [Mickey] There's another look at the play.

Of course, see this handling of the football.

Lacey's on it and then look at the end here.

- [Coach Rhoades] I don't know what we're seeing at the end.

I think number 12 was the perpetrator.

Here at the end, the shove after the whistle and gonna put them in third and very, very long.

- [Referee] Here in the play, personal foul against the offense.

15 yards, third down.

- [Mickey] Coach, it doesn't appear as though much has happened here in this third quarter.

You look up, we're already down to 5:37 to play in the quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] And that is significant if you're down three scorerers.

- [Mickey] So it's third and 22 back at the 23.

Here comes Lacey, escapes and throws downfield and it is incomplete.

- [Coach Rhoades] There's a flag that comes down and I don't know where they're gonna call a hold in the secondary, but it looked like Lacey thought that Williams was going to take it deep and threw it over the top, set it down.

- [Mickey] That is the call.

- [Coach Rhoades] He's gonna be a defensive hold.

- [Mickey] Mountain Brook wanted to hold on the right tackle, but Saraland didn't get the call, and the flag instead comes here.

- [Coach Rhoades] And I think that collision when the ball's in the air is probably what got that call.

Thought it was a hold, but sure looked like a face mask.

- Holding against the defense.

A 10 yard penalty, third down.

- [Mickey] So it's a 10 yard penalty though, but it remains third down, third and 11.

- [Coach Rhoades] Third and 11 is a lot different than third and one and two and 11 yards has not been that tough for the boys in red to get tonight.

Of course the question to ask is, where is number one?

- [Mickey] Finally let 'em go, let 'em play here.

Third down and 11.

And Lacy drops back.

Tears it out downfield.

He's got Williams wide open and it is a first down at the Mountain Brook 42 yard line as he beat the coverage there from Mountain Brook's Hampton King.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well this is the same route that Saraland ran on third down the last series, this time to the right and this is a little move to the post and then sticks the corner to the outside.

Ball beautifully thrown to the outside in the corner, right there has no chance.

Against a receiver like Williams, you've gotta honor the first move and when it's a double move, makes it really tough.

- [Mickey] And they hand it to him here, but a nice job of containment that time by Mountain Brook's Vaughn Frost.

- [Field Announcer] Vaughn Frost, play gains one yard.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, I've been doing games all year and I don't think I've seen a corner route to the field one time this year.

I mean it's a long throw.

It's a hard ball to throw effectively and those two made it look easy on that third downplay.

- [Mickey] So second down and nine.

Here's a delayed give to McWilliams.

And McWilliams takes a big hit.

There he comes.

Mountain Brook's Charlie Elliot.

On the correction, that was Trent Wright on the hit.

Here's another third down coming up for Saraland and another opportunity for Mountain Brook to get off the field.

- [Coach Rhoades] You've set the table perfectly, partner.

I mean this is another huge third down.

Now, falls on 37 yard line.

This is definitely four down territory.

- [Mickey] Lacy looking over the defense.

It's a three-man rush for the Spartans.

Lacy throws it and it is complete, flag comes in.

It is a first down for the moment.

Catch was made by Brooks Womble, but it's coming back for holding.

- [Coach Rhoades] Say earlier he had Carson Gill streaking down the middle of the field for what would've been a touchdown on this scramble.

We're saying we think it might be 56 with the hold.

No, I'm not sure.

- [Mickey] 52 Also getting a little jersey there.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think maybe you could have taken your pick right there.

Keep your hands inside the framework of the body, boys.

- During the play, holding against the offense.

Penalty's 10 yards from previous spot.

No, from the spot of the foul, third down.

- [Coach Rhoades] So, third and 19 is what we got.

Wonder if they'll go back to that corner right again.

- [Mickey] Third and 18.

Four-man rush for Mountain Brook.

Lacey flushed out of the pocket on the move, he will take all and he's gonna pick up the ALDOT first down, a huge gain there for KJ Lacey and a very frustrating play for Mountain Brook.

They had everything accounted for except quarterback KJ Lacey.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well what they did is they played some five under man with two safeties behind.

That puts seven guys in coverage.

The underneath five in man coverage.

The problem with that is, as you can see, everybody's got their back turned to the quarterback.

When they break contain right there, there's no help coming from the second level.

- KJ Lacey.

- Just a great job of getting out of the pocket and getting down the sideline.

That's always the problem when you get in man coverage.

- [Mickey] KJ Lacey making it look easy there.

Ryan Williams now lined up behind center, takes the direct snap and gets about a yard and that is it as he was tackled from behind by Billy Radney.

- [Coach Rhoades] Little tougher going for him in this half of running inside.

Real good pursuit again by that Mountain Brook defense.

- [Mickey] This is quite a drive here for Saraland.

They've possessed the football.

We're already under three minutes to play in the third quarter, second down and nine at the 20.

I guess we could say that Saraland is officially in the Alabama Votes Red Zone presented by the Alabama Secretary of State, second down and nine, Lacy gets rid of it quickly.

Gills got the catch and advances at four to about the 15 yard line.

That's gonna set up a third down and four.

- [Coach Rhoades] And this is the way the night is going for them.

You know the blitz come, the balls out, is thrown low, gotta hustle, really good pursuit to the ball.

You can see the big pressure right there.

What's the result?

Seven-yard gain.

- [Mickey] So third down and four for Saraland at the Mountain Brook 15 yard line.

Lacey hands off to McWilliams, puts his head down and is taken off his feet after only a gain of one.

Nice tackle there by Tucker Crawford.

- [Coach Rhoades] He's gonna be about two yards short.

Think they'll go for it?

Fourth and two.

They're bringing in the heavies.

Got the field goal, you aint punting after the goal.

- [Mickey] Hunter Kirkland has come onto the field to attempt what will be a 30-yard field goal.

It's perfect on extra points.

We'll see if he can connect on his first field goal try tonight.

Good snap, good hold, plenty of distance.

(whistle chirping) And Kirkland is good on the 30-yard field goal.

Saraland increases its lead over Mountain Brook 31-10 here in the 6A State Championship Game.

(upbeat music) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama, as my home sweet home.

I have such a pride in this state and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance.

Vote.

Register to vote and get your voter ID today.

It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

("Easy Like Sunday Morning") (smooth jazz music) (upbeat music) (car lights dinging) (car engine revving) (liquid pouring) (phone buttons clicking) (car engine whizzing) (tires squealing) (tires squealing) (glass shattering) (car light dinging) - [Narrator] Are you an enthusiastic sports fan?

Want to have fun and get in on the action?

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Want to stay active?

- [Sports Fan] Definitely.

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(whistle chirping) We need more officials in Alabama because with no high school officials, there are no high school sports.

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(upbeat music) - [Mickey] Lots to cheer about if you're a Saraland fan.

A 31-10 lead over Mountain Brook in the 6A State Championship Game here from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

A minute 13 to play here in our third quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, everybody's having a big time on both sides of the field and that's the way it should be in what is truly a scuffle.

- [Mickey] Kirkland's kick by man that is Will Waldrop.

He returns it out to the 32 yard line so Mountain Brook will take over first and 10 there.

That was a very good drive there for Saraland.

I almost thought they'd get the field goal, but more importantly for them, chewed up so much time in this third quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] I was a little bit surprised that they didn't go for it, fourth and two now.

Those three points does make it a three-touchdown game.

At 18 points you could have had two scores and a field goal and that's significant.

- [Mickey] So Colvin takes a snap looking to throw on first down, goes over the middle, pass is caught by Jackson Beatty and that is a big gain into Saraland territory.

ALDOT first down for the Spartans.

- [Coach Rhoades] And that's an area of the field that has been a little bit vulnerable, just haven't been able to work it.

You know they're gonna high low and they're gonna throw that over the middle again, you can see the linebacker drifts a little bit to the right.

Beatty does a good job of working right into that four.

- [Mickey] Another successful pass play on first down for the Mountain Brook offense.

They throw it again on first down.

Colvin hit as he threw and they're gonna rule it incomplete.

The pressure was coming up the middle that time from Saraland's Jamison Curtis.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah that pocket collapsed pretty quickly.

I think it was just a four-man rush.

I was looking downfield initially, but good job of pushing the pocket by that defensive line of Saraland.

- [Mickey] Second down and 10.

Colvin drifts to his right, passes away, called by Sanderson.

He's got room to roam.

Sanderson cuts it back at the 30, taken down at the 26 yard line by Chris Thompson of Saraland, but it's another IDOT first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah that little sit down route on the sprint out is always open right here.

You know, there's a coverage, it drops for depth, got the little underneath route and Clark Sanderson looks like his dad right there, Greg Sanderson, the former Alabama receiver.

Dad's proud of that play.

- [Mickey] First down at the 26th, Colvin to throw again on first down and just does overshoot his intended receiver, Jackson Beatty out at the 10 yard line and he was open.

- [Coach Rhoades] Had him again.

Again, that's that soft middle of the field that has been consistently open, but just overshot him on that one.

Boy that would've been a big catch and a completion right there for Mountain Brook.

- [Mickey] So second down and 10 now for Mountain Brook.

Stops the clock with 12 seconds to play here in this third quarter.

(marching band music) Colvin get the pass away.

Good job there by Sanderson.

He slipped, got back up and caught it and fights his way into the end zone.

What an effort by Sanderson.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, you're not down if you fall down and on your knees before the ball gets there.

This is a great athletic move after he falls with getting back up and high pointing the ball, bringing it back down to him, then want an effort to get in the end zone.

Now you're not gonna see that he slips, gets right back up, great concentration, and watch him just wheel his way into the end zone right here.

- [Mickey] Don't you love a receiver that gets up the field after the catch.

- [Coach Rhoades] You betcha, you know, turn north and south right now.

- [Mickey] Extra point right through there for Smith.

- [Coach Rhoades] I said during the break to myself, here's the thing from the Mountain Brook perspective they've gotta do going into the fourth quarter.

Somehow they've gotta get it to a two-score game and that's exactly what they did.

You're gonna see him slip right there and watch him get back up, get those knees off the ground.

If you think that's easy, folks, try that in your living room one night.

I am not responsible for the hospital visit.

- [Mickey] Obviously not the kind of thing you can coach, can you, Coach?

- [Coach Rhoades] I tell you what, that is a great athletic move and that's just a want to right here, a clutch drive and four seconds left in the third quarter, they're still down by two scores but fat lady is not even close to warming up yet.

- [Mickey] No quit in the Mountain Brook Spartans.

- [Coach Rhoades] Nor on the other side of the field as well.

You know this game's still got a long way to go.

We just to see how Saraland decides to answer.

- [Mickey] So Beckett Smith has it teed up as we get set for the Department of Human Resources Kickoff.

And awaiting to kick for Saraland, Sante McWilliams.

Instead they kick it in the direction of Ryan Williams, could not handle the skipping ball on the turf.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I kind wondered if Williams touched the ball, but I see the flag is out.

- [Referee] Free kick out of bounds against the kicking team.

- [Coach Rhoades] So the ruling is, is that the ball was not touched.

- [Mickey] And here's a look at the ALDOT scoring drive for Mountain Brook.

Huge scoring drive, just five plays, 69 yards and the big play there, Colvin to Sanderson, the 26-yard touchdown play.

So first down at the 35, Saraland comes out four seconds remaining here this third quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think Coach Yeager is gonna challenge that.

- [Mickey] He's thinking about it and he does throw the flag.

- [Coach Rhoades] I mean we couldn't tell from here whether he touched the ball or not, but Mountain Brook seems pretty convinced that he did.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] And explaining to Wayne Pierce.

He want's it reviewed.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, the difference is about 30 yards.

We're hearing from our truck, they got a pretty good shadow, they don't think it was touched, but it's worth a try, as we're waiting for the call here.

- Mountain Brook is challenging that the receiver touched the ball, Parker going out of bounds.

The previous play is under further review.

- [Coach Rhoades] So we'll look at it right here.

(logo swooshing) Well, if we were playing baseball, we'd say that's an E5.

Because that ball is not touched unless it got that little finger coming by.

One thing that makes you wonder a little bit is that Williams does go back and kind of chase the ball.

(crowd cheering) (logo swooshing) - [Mickey] Hear their reaction from the Saraland fans as they see the replay on the big screen inside Jordan-Hare.

This is probably our best angle here.

- [Coach Rhoades] Unless it caught the leg.

- After further review, the ruling of the field stands.

(crowd cheering) Mountain Brook is charged with a timeout.

They have one challenge left in the game.

- [Mickey] Well, again, you mentioned the, what was at stake there was about a 25, 30 yards to field position.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think it was definitely worth a shot, but looks like the officials got that one right.

As they have most of the night.

- [Mickey] And again, still those four seconds on the clock here in the third quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] I feel like we're in suspended animation right here.

- [Mickey] Here we go.

Lacey brings Williams up behind him in the backfield, kind of slings it out to him and look at Williams, just reverse his field so quickly.

A good job by Mountain Brook staying at home on the other side of the field and that'll take us to the end of the third quarter.

Don't go away yet, folks.

We still got a game here in the 6A State Championship Game as Mountain Brook gets the big touchdown.

Sanderson keeping the Spartans close as we head to the fourth quarter.

(upbeat music) - [Field Announcer] Have a media timeout.

(crowd cheering) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] I know it's early, but it's okay to move around in your seat, do what you got to do.

(upbeat music) All right, everybody in here clap with me on this one, all right.

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(reflective music) (music crescendoing) - [Mickey] Back at Jordan-Hare Stadium, our Children's of Alabama Super 7.

I tell ya, it's been a super week.

This event never disappoints.

It all got started on Wednesday with action in Class 7A and here we have one more quarter in the 6A State Championship Game here from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn as we begin the fourth quarter, it's second down and 10 for Saraland, they got a 31-17 lead over the Mountain Brook Spartans.

Heres McWilliams up the middle, hard running by this young man and takes about three Mountain Brook players to get him down.

Billy Radney finishing the playoff.

- [Coach Rhoades] And I think this is the series of the game right here.

This is a pivotal series and this is a pivotal third down here.

I don't know if the folks at home could hear, but I felt like you were in Fenway Park singing "Sweet Caroline."

Crowd chimed right in.

- [Mickey] And the crowd knows the importance of this play.

Third and six from the 39.

Spartan's rush four, Lacey backtracking gets to pass away.

It's behind Williams and may have tipped that pass too.

It looks as though a Spartan defender might have got his hands on it, number 91 Parker Avery.

- [Coach Rhoades] Good pressure and good push by the Mountain Brook interior.

Brought one of the inside linebackers as well and I tell you what, I don't know if number 91 from Mountain Brook, that's Parker Avery, the big nose guard.

But that ball had to be threaded right between those upstretched arms.

- [Mickey] Hunter Kirkland on to punt it away to the Spartan Sanderson back deep.

It is a good, high kick.

Sanderson unable to come up and catch it, but it does roll dead at the 27th so Mountain Brooks offense comes back out on the field, just underway fourth quarter, only down 14.

- [Coach Rhoades] Score here obviously we'll cut it to a two-score game and you know, you gotta take it one play at a time right here, 11:08, still plenty of time.

- [Announcer] Lot of success from John Colvin throwing on first down on that last drive.

So here comes the Spartan offense back on the field again.

First and 10 at the 27.

Colvin with time goes deep down field incomplete.

Sanderson was the intended receiver, covered that time by Cameron Laffitte.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, you know, I don't know if there's a mix up on what the route was gonna be, but Sanderson broke to the post and he was open.

That ball's on the money.

It's probably gonna be a touchdown.

But the ball went to the outside and an opportunity went for not as the coverage broke down a little bit for Saraland.

- [Mickey] That's a second down and 10 as they did try to throw on first down once again.

Saraland inching players up at the box.

Colvin, looking to throw, passes away 30 yard line and still on his feet is tight end Carter Kelly.

That was a great effort by Kelly and it's an ALDOT first down out across the 40.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, he ran a little under route, a little bit against the grain and I thought that he'd ran right into coverage and he did but he actually just runs right through the coverage.

You see Kelly on the mesh route and he's hit flush up, but he just shrugs that thing off and just keeps running.

Uses that big frame to pick up a big, big first down.

- [Mickey] And breaking tackle there, Delvin Gully.

First down, Colvin passes away and is caught by Beatty.

He's taken out of bounds short the 50 by Jamison Curtis.

Got a flag again.

- (indistinct) Against the offense.

Five yard penalty, first down.

- [Mickey] Costly penalty.

- [Coach Rhoades] Big penalty at this stage of the game.

Had a nice game, had some going right here and now, not only do lose the big game, but it's first and 15.

- [Mickey] And you had your tempo going.

- Absolutely, absolutely.

- Momentum.

Flag slows it down.

- [Coach Rhoades] Great point Mickey, another unforced error.

- [Mickey] Colvin, with time in the pocket passes away.

That was a nice grab there on the far sideline by Gamble.

Lost his footing, but it is a positive gain out across the 45 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, we've seen a good bit of slipping tonight.

I'm wondering, you know, the grass is very nice and green right here.

(indistinct) You always worry about it.

I'm certainly not saying the field is bad, the field is beautiful.

- [Mickey] Second down and five in the 46.

Colvin's pass is intercepted.

I think so, number 22.

Isaiah Bowie got it off the deflection.

It was intended for Sanderson.

- [Coach Rhoades] When the ball is right on the money, but instead of being able to catch it with his hands, it's gonna bounce off Sanderson's pads and of course one of the things you wanna do defensively when that ball's deflected, you wanna break on the football.

Boy, what a great job right there.

I'm not sure he had it clean though.

Let's take a look at it right here.

That ball's gonna hit the ground and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see that red flag or that would go out again.

Great effort to get on the ball, but that ball looked like it clearly hit the ground.

- [Mickey] They snap it, they get the playoff, Lacey stepping up in the pocket and the pass is batted down by the Mountain Brook defender.

Nice job getting the hands up, Vaughn Frost.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think that ball surprised Frost.

It was thrown right at him.

Frankly I think that was a missed opportunity on the play before not to challenge that 'cause it looked like the ball clearly hit the ground.

- [Mickey] By the way, you see Frost's headgear there, I gotta note a moment ago that if you're noticing some of helmets for the Mountain Brook players, they don't repaint the helmets as the season goes on.

- [Coach Rhoades] I don't know who their conditioner is, but they didn't talk to him about the paint job.

They've got a lot of stuff as a big, big hole.

- [Mickey] Williams all the way down to the Mountain Brook 20 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well the Mountain Brook defense has been flowing so fast.

That's a little bit of a counter play.

Both linebackers bite to the play side and it gets back against the grain and really good run.

See right there, you see it actually starts a little bit to the right and just against the grain, run back to the other side, breaks one tackle, runs over another would-be tackle, just a really, really good run by a real good linebacker.

- [Mickey] Williams gets it again, spins his way forward for about four yards.

Tackle made there by Vaughn Frost once again, I tell you, that interception there was a big, big play for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] Really great hustle play by that young man and that may be the play of the game.

It looked like Mountain Brook was mounting a little bit of a comeback, but Saraland is knocking on the door.

- [Mickey] Second down and five.

Lacy, this is Williams taking the direct snap.

They have definitely done a better job corralling number one here.

He does pick up the ALDOT first down, I believe, in the 20.

- [Coach Rhoades] That shows you how good he is.

Mickey.

I agree with what you said 100%.

They've done a much better job against him.

Still picked up six yards and a first down.

- [Mickey] That'll move the chains again.

Keep possession for Saraland to keep that clock moving.

We're down here eight minutes to play here in the fourth quarter.

Make it to Williams, give it here to McWilliams, and he slips down, again another player losing his footing.

Trying to make a cut.

- [Coach Rhoades] Ran a little speed fake and tried to run the stretch play back off of it the other way, tried to get that defense fooled a little bit, but Mountain Brook would have none of it.

- [Mickey] Play loss two, second down at 12, back at the 22.

(marching band music) Mountain Brook brings the house here.

Lacey throws it up to the end zone for Williams and it's incomplete.

A flag's gonna come in.

Mountain Brook's Douglas, or correction, Palin Wilkinson was in coverage.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think what you're gonna see, you're gonna see contact and no attempt to play the ball.

You're gonna see that he's solely focused on the receiver and there's the push before the ball gets there and that's clearly interference.

(logo swooshing) - Pass interference against the defense.

Second down.

- [Mickey] And Saraland back in the Alabama Votes Red Zone presented by the Alabama Secretary of State.

So second down to one at the 11.

Here's McWilliams over the right side.

He gets it down to the five yard line, gain of six.

It'll be a first down, first end goal for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] Real nice push by the right side of that Saraland Spartan offensive line.

Knock those white shirts back, picked up that big first down.

You can see 'em right there.

They've had quite a night up front.

Ron Wilson, Tyler Crenshaw, Brandon Sexton, Ethan Green and Bryson Broughton-Chastain.

- [Mickey] Williams fighting his way into the end zone for the Saraland touchdown.

- [Coach Rhoades] Just ran through those arm tackles again.

Hug those blocks really tight to the inside and ripped through those arm tackles.

And boy, that mountain got really high for the Spartans on the other side of the field.

That one might ice him.

- [Mickey] The interception by Isaiah Bowie and Saraland able to cash in on the interception and get the touchdown.

Taking it back to a three-touchdown lead.

- [Coach Rhoades] Nice drive by Saraland.

- [Mickey] Kirkland's extra point is good.

A perfect night for Kirkland continues, it's now 38-17.

Saraland on the verge of a 6A State Championship.

(upbeat music) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama, as my home sweet home.

I have such a pride in this state and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance.

Vote.

Register to vote and get your voter ID today.

It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

("Easy Like Sunday Morning") (smooth jazz music) (upbeat music) (gentle music) - [Narrator] You're watching Alabama Public Television, broaden your horizons.

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(upbeat music) - [Mickey] 38-17 Saraland leading Mountain Brook.

As you get a look at both head coaches there, Chris Yeager on your right and Jeff Kelly on your left.

- [Coach Rhoades] As we said at the start of this show too, of the best coaches in this state and what a great job they have done with their respective teams, not just teaching football, but teaching about a lot of other things too and a lot of respect for both those gentlemen.

- [Mickey] First-ever meeting between these two fine 6A programs.

Saraland now with a 38-17 lead as they do take advantage of the interception, scored the touchdown, lead back to 21 points.

So here's Kirkland's kickoff fielded by Waldrop at about the 16 yard line.

Great coverage there for Saraland as they catch up to Waldrop at the 25 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] A lot of height on that kick and anytime you can kick the ball and you know, pin the ball between the hash and the sideline, it really cuts that field by about a third widthwise and Saraland certainly took advantage of that.

- [Mickey] And here's the scoring drive for Saraland presented by ALDOT.

Again, this came after the interception by Bowie.

They go 55 yards and seven plays and McWilliams getting it in for the touchdown.

First and 10, Colvin under pressure gets out of the pocket, throws it downfield and it is incomplete.

It was intended for Beatty getting a hand on it back there for Saraland was Zay Crenshaw.

- Yeah, really nice job by the Saraland secondary.

They closed very rapidly on that throw.

(logo swooshing) And very fortunate that was not intercepted.

You know, as he gets outside he's gotta scramble a little bit and he gets streaking run all the way across the field, but nice coverage.

(logo swooshing) - [Mickey] Second down and 10.

Colvin, over the middle he goes, pass is caught, Sanderson's got it.

He's up ahead to the 48 yard line for he is pushed back by Saraland Delvin Gully, but that'll be an ALDOT first down.

- [Coach Rhoades] That's that deep dig route over the middle of it has been very successful for Mountain Brook.

Really a soft spot in the Saraland coverage.

- [Mickey] First down out at the 48 yard line for Mountain Brook.

Here comes the blitz, they rush five, Colvin, on the move and will step out of bounds just short of midfield.

There will be no gain on the play.

- [Coach Rhoades] He had Sanderson again in the middle of the field, but by the time Sanderson was open, he was about two yards from the sideline and he would've had to throw the ball all the way across to his body, moving to his left.

That's not exactly the easiest thing the world do as you see Jermaine Paramore right there.

He's been a force in the middle of this Spartan defense.

- [Mickey] Second down and 10.

Colvin stepping up in the pocket.

He gets rid of it, it is incomplete.

You see the flag there coming in at the end of the play.

- [Field Announcer] A flag on the play.

- [Coach Rhoades] Don't know exactly what that is from the line judge.

That play is good.

Let's see what the call is, probably a holding call.

- [Mickey] It was the preliminary call there from Wayne Pierce was holding against Mountain Brook.

- [Coach Rhoades] So that'll back Mountain Brook up.

Make this about a second and 25.

- Holding against the offense 10 yards from previous spot.

Second down.

- [Mickey] So second down at 24, back at the 35.

Colvin stepping up in the pocket under duress again and he'll go down.

Just too much pressure.

At time it was big number 69, Jermaine Paramore again.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well this is a defensive lineman's dream right here.

I mean there's no semblance of a running game at all so they are in a track stance.

They are teeing it up.

Snap there getting upfield in a hurry.

- [Mickey] So third down.

Saraland rushes three and.

(whistle chirping) - [Coach Rhoades] Looks like Saraland called that.

Called the timeout.

- Before the snap, timeout.

(marching band music) Defense.

Foul line.

- [Mickey] I see Coach Kelly very upset.

I'm not sure he had 12, 11 guys out there.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think that may have well been the case.

It's one of his defensive backs that was supposed to be in the game.

Think he got his point across.

What he's trying to do, this play just rush three, play five under three D. How many places you throw a football and miss it?

- [Field Announcer] On the concourse.

You can also visit (indistinct) .com to learn about the endless possibilities- - [Mickey] So third and 25 we come out of the time out.

- [Field Announcer] Your personal and professional needs.

- [Mickey] See Coach Kelly hydrating there on the Saraland sidelines.

- [Coach Rhoades] He's been working hard.

- [Field Announcer] Association, a refresher of the game.

Last call, open call.

- [Mickey] Chilly night here at Jordan-Hare stadium, but you still need to stay hydrated.

- [Coach Rhoades] Feels like summertime compared to last night though, partner.

I even took my scarf off.

- [Mickey] This is definitely the balmiest night of the Super 7, isn't it?

- [Coach Rhoades] Yes, its.

- [Mickey] So here we go, third down, 25.

Colvin, little pop fake set up the screen over the middle.

Sanderson's got it and Sanderson will be taken down from behind by Saraland's Jamison Curtis.

It'll be fourth down and 13 and Mountain Brook's in go fourth mode for sure now.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, I think so.

They got about half of it, but they would have liked to pop that for a little bit more, but certainly fourth and 13 is makeable, but they're gonna have to get something downfield.

Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him go to Sanderson again and try to work that middle window for some kind of a big rock.

- [Mickey] Three-man rush here for Saraland.

Colvin with time, zips it downfield, it is incomplete.

Jackson Beatty was the intended receiver, but boy Zay Crenshaw was right there with him.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, very well covered.

Just came back to, I think it was his third choice right here, tried to work the middle, nothing there.

Comes all the way back across the field.

Nice break on the ball right there.

And the ball's gonna roll over.

- [Mickey] At the 4:59 mark here in the fourth quarter.

- [Coach Rhoades] Xavier Crenshaw that made that break from this corner position.

- [Field Announcer] First down, Saraland, at Mountain Brook 46 yard line.

- [Mickey] Here comes the Saraland offense, there you see number one, Ryan Williams.

Been a little quiet.

- Yeah, he has.

- Compared to the first half.

- [Coach Rhoades] He's been relatively quiet for sure.

- [Mickey] Here is McWilliams on the handoff.

He has hit down low there by Mountain Brook linebacker Hampton King.

- [Coach Rhoades] Yeah, he's only had about 44 yards of total offense this half compared to the 230 that he had in the first half.

(marching band music) - [Mickey] Second down and eight.

(marching band music) Again, Saraland milking the play clock.

Game clock continues to move as well.

Here's the handoff to McWilliams and unable to get up the field very far as Mountain Brook defended to play well there on the edge.

- [Coach Rhoades] You know, McWilliams has kind of quietly, I mean he's up over 100 yards now, he's got 120 yards.

- [Field Announcer] Third down, five.

- [Coach Rhoades] Touchdown.

He's had very, very solid good night.

- [Mickey] Parker Avery there, number 91 making the play.

So here it is, third down and five at the 41.

(marching band music) Ryan Williams lines up behind the center, takes the snap, trying to get around the corner.

Just great pursuit on the edge there by Mountain Brook as they stop him for no gain.

- [Coach Rhoades] Drifting steadily a little bit.

Looks like we got a Mountain Brook player down.

That Mountain Brook pursuit laid him down.

- [Mickey] And the injured Spartan there, number 33, I believe, Trent Wright.

Coach Yeager will come over and check on his player.

- [Coach Rhoades] Looks like he came down a little bit awkwardly at the end of the play.

- [Mickey] And hope that young man is okay as he is being attended to over near the Saraland sidelines, so Coach Jaeger having to come all the way over across the field.

(men speaking indistinctly) - [Coach Rhoades] Can't really see what they're tending to right there.

(crowd chanting in background) - [Mickey] It's gonna be fourth and seven when we resume play here for Saraland.

- [Coach Rhoades] 3:28 to go.

(logo swooshing) - [Mickey] And let's check our Children's of Alabama Super 7 Scoreboard.

Everything just about complete.

Three minutes and 28 seconds left here in the 6A State Championship Game.

And to congratulate all the State Champions, we got action underway here at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Wednesday, including here tonight.

The 6A State Championship Game.

- [Coach Rhoades] Of course one of the things you always look for, you know, in this Super 7 is where is the football capital of Alabama?

Where is the best football played?

You know, is it in the North?

Is it in the South?

Is it in Mobile?

Is it in Montgomery?

Is it in Birmingham?

I'll let you decide.

You know, you can make a case for a lot of different areas.

- [Mickey] Well, how about this?

It's in Thompson, it's in St. James, it's in Leroy, it's in Ramsey, it's in Andalusia.

Hey how about Andalusia?

- [Coach Rhoades] Yes sir, you better believe it.

Well you know, you've got two in the Birmingham area.

You got two in the kind of the Montgomery area, the Wiregrass, Mobile.

It looks like they're gonna be well-represented so I'd say this is a pretty good football state, partner.

- [Mickey] Been a good week for sure, fourth and seventh.

- [Coach Rhoades] Five up in North Alabama.

I don't wanna get in any trouble in any part of the state.

- [Mickey] And yes we would, we are prompted from the truck.

We would be remiss to not once again give kudos and a shout out to the Auburn-Opelika.

- [Coach Rhoades] They've done a great job.

- [Mickey] Area, what a job of hosting this event.

So much goes into it.

You know, one of the things that's interesting, every team that comes here to this event has a host.

Is responsible for making sure that their visit goes well, they're schedule, they're itinerary, and getting to the hotel, getting checked in, getting to eat, getting to the stadium.

And so all of those are volunteer positions that are a part of the host city, which in this case, Auburn-Opelika.

- [Coach Rhoades] And they've done it really just a tremendous job and I tell ya, Auburn University, you know, as we were leaving last night, the ground crew was coming out repainting the field last night.

It's something they certainly didn't have to do, but the field's been in great shape ever since we've been here.

It's just, every time we've come here, done just a really great job and they do a great job in Tuscaloosa as well.

And although it's pretty new to Birmingham, I'm sure it's gonna be really good there.

And of course, playing in these stadiums and these legendary stadiums in this state, that's the thrill of a lifetime for these high school players.

- [Mickey] And here is the fake, McWilliams.

He's gonna have the first down and more inside the 20 down to the 13 yard line.

- [Coach Rhoades] They got everybody caught inside to the weak side of the field.

There was no player trying to block the kick.

You see everybody comes inside.

Just a great call by Saraland.

I'm sure that's probably something that they picked up in films possibly and it really, really, as I said, great call and that's gonna do it.

- [Mickey] That is an ALDOT first down at the 15 yard line is Saraland once again in the Alabama Votes Red Zone.

So Lacy and the Saraland offense back on the field first and 10, Williams gets the call.

He dives down near the 10 for game of five.

That'll keep the clock moving as we will be under two minutes before this next snap.

(marching band music) - [Coach Rhoades] You really have to hand this to Saraland.

You know, they've done everything that they had to do to win this game.

If you think about what we talked about, I mean they completely took Mountain Brook out their game.

We talked about Cole Gamble, how effective he was, 193 yards last week.

He's gonna finish the night with about 75 yards and less than four yards of pair.

That's more than half.

Well, it's less than half of what he normally gets.

- [Mickey] Williams up the middle.

Stopped after a gain of two, so it'll set up third down.

About three, we will be under one minute to play before this next snap.

- [Coach Rhoades] And Saraland is gonna finish almost 500 yards total offense.

They're at 482 right now.

Held Mountain Brook to just 87 yards rushing, excuse me, 67 yards rushing and they rushed for 352.

That's how you win championships.

- [Mickey] Saraland on the verge of the first State Championship in school history.

We are under a minute to play in the 6A State Championship Game.

Here's McWilliams, he slips down.

And we see Coach Kelly is.

It's about a three-second difference in the play clock and game clock.

- [Coach Rhoades] I think it's gonna be about three seconds.

Wonder if you just are gonna take a knee here.

Get one more.

(crowd cheering) - [Mickey] Saraland fans cheering on the Gatorade bath that Coach Kelly just got on the sidelines and there is likely the final play of the game.

Well, there's one second.

They stop the clock with one second on that fourth down run.

- [Coach Rhoades] They're winding it down.

That's the ballgame.

- [Mickey] And that'll be it.

Your final score, Saraland captures the 6A State Championship as they defeat the Mountain Brook Spartans by a final score of 38-17.

(crowd cheering) - [Coach Rhoades] What an impressive performance by the Saraland Spartans.

You see the two coaches embracing each other and this team is for real now.

I mean, they expose to us, they show particularly in the first half and they just never let Mountain Brook really get back in the game.

- [Mickey] Let's head down to Susan with the winning coach.

- Hey, Coach, how does it feel to take a Blue Map Trophy back to Saraland?

- You know, we've been up here twice.

We got a couple red ones.

We love red, we're the Spartans, that's our colors, but by golly, we've been thinking blue all week.

I'm so proud of our players.

This is about the players, you know, they have persevered, they've answered every challenge all year long, week in and week out, so proud of 'em, proud of our community, our coaches.

They turned out up here, they played their tail off against an outstanding football team.

I'm just so thankful.

Thank the good Lord for putting us all in this opportunity and it was a good night.

I like the blue, we've been thinking blue all week.

- Tell me how important your fans were to this victory.

- They're huge, they're huge and everybody's been around the southern part of the state, they know our fans are awesome.

Our community loves our kids, they love our school.

We have tremendous administration and you know, it's just, we're so thankful, I'm so thankful.

We've been close so many times.

We've come up short twice.

Our fans, our community deserve it.

Our kids deserve it.

I'm so thankful we could get it done tonight.

- Enjoy the celebration.

- Thank you so much.

- [Mickey] As Coach Kelly said, they lost to Clay-Chalkville in 2014, to Penn Valley in 2018.

Third time's a charm as the capture State Championship tonight.

And coming up next to Google Trophy presentation live from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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- [Narrator] This message presented by the AHSAA.

(upbeat music) - And your final score at the 6A State Championship Game, it is Saraland defeating Mountain Brook here tonight, 38-17, they jumped out to a early lead in that first half off the play of Ryan Williams, their outstanding receiver running back, whatever you wanna call him tonight.

He was Mr. Everything and Mountain Brook, they had no quitting them tonight, Coach.

They made this a game.

They got within two scores there and that big interception, that turnover in the second half was their undoing in this game.

- Yeah, it really was and I think this game kind of epitomized what this tournament was all about, this entire week, this Super 7.

Great individual efforts.

- Yes.

- 270 plus yards by Ryan Williams, a very, very special player, but every one of these games we had this week, there was an individual effort that was really, truly exceptional and really outstanding.

That's the theme of this particular Super 7.

- These MVP awards this year were truly everybody awards.

- They were MVP.

- [Field Announcer] Staff and members of central control.

- [Mickey] You can see the post game festivities continuing to Jordan-Hare Stadium down Pat Dye field.

We got the Google Trophy Presentation and the awarding of the 6A State Championship Game MVP to come and we'll send it to the PA announcement.

- [Field Announcer] Will be presented by Trent Massey and Gus Smith from Future Ones.

And Brandon Dean, Director of Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association to both head coaches.

First from Mountain Brook, Head Coach Chris Yeager.

(crowd cheering) Now from Saraland High School, Head Coach Jeff Kelly.

(crowd cheering) Congratulations to both coaches for a great season.

(crowd cheering) Now presenting the Most Valuable Player Award, Mike Morrison from Coca-Cola and JT Lawrence, Assistant Director of the AHSAA.

The 2022 Most Valuable Player Award for the Class 6A Championship is given to Ryan Williams, Saraland.

(crowd cheering) And now to present the 2022 State Runner Up Trophy for Class 6A, Central Board Member Don Hawthorne from District 2 and Kim Vickers, Associate Executive Director of the AHSAA.

The 6A State Champion Runner Up led by Head Coach Chris Yeager, the Mountain Brook Spartans.

(crowd cheering) And now to present the 2022 State Championship Trophy Class 6A is Alvin Briggs, Executive Director of the AHSAA and Central Board Member Terry Curtis from District 1 to Jeff Kelly, Head Coach of the Saraland Spartans.

(crowd cheering) (Mickey laughing) ♪ We are the champions.

♪ - [Mickey] As we are the champions begins to play inside Jordan-Hare Stadium as the Saraland Spartans will be celebrating their 6A State Championship all the way back to the Mobile areas.

We take one more look at the Children's of Alabama Super 7 Scoreboard.

Congratulations to all of our Super 7 State Champions.

- [Coach Rhoades] Well, and I'll just repeat again.

I think this one's gonna remember for some great individual efforts, some outstanding numbers put up by some of the very best high school football players in this country.

It was special, it was great, and of course to the victors belong to spoils.

Nothing like winning a State Championship.

- [Mickey] It was some championship effort from our crew this week as well.

Coach, enjoyed it, great job.

- Thank you, it was great.

- [Mickey] And that'll wrap up our coverage of the 6A State Championship Game, but more coverage from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The AmFirst Post-Game Show is coming your way next.

So long from Jordan-Hare.

(logo swooshing) (upbeat country music) ♪ I grew where the world was simple and slow ♪ ♪ Learned right from wrong on a 4x4 ♪ ♪ It was never plan B ♪ ♪ Just a path I'm taking ♪ ♪ Breakin' on through on the road I'm making ♪ ♪ I knew one day I'd get my shot ♪ ♪ So here I am, I give it all I got ♪ ♪ This is the big time, ready, set, go ♪ ♪ Work so hard just to make things show ♪ ♪ Under the lights, it's time to shine ♪ ♪ Get your game face on 'cause this is the big time ♪ ♪ This is the big time ♪ ♪ Ever since my boots first hit these streets ♪ ♪ Had to scratch and claw, very hard to beat ♪ ♪ There were real early mornings ♪ ♪ And late, late nights ♪ ♪ Had to put in the time just to get it right ♪ ♪ Now it's time to make my stand ♪ ♪ Gonna show the whole world just who I am ♪ ♪ This is the big time, ready, set, go ♪ ♪ Work so hard just to make this show ♪ ♪ Under the lights it's time to shine ♪ ♪ Get your game face on 'cause this is the big time ♪ ♪ This is the big time ♪ (upbeat country music continues) ♪ This is the big time, ready, set, go ♪ ♪ Work so hard just to make this show ♪ ♪ Under the lights it's time to shine ♪ ♪ Get your game face on 'cause this is the big time ♪ ♪ This is the big time, ready, set, go ♪ ♪ Work so hard just to make this show ♪ ♪ Under the lights it's time to shine ♪ ♪ Get your game face on 'cause this is the big time ♪ ♪ This is the big time ♪ (upbeat country music continues) (logo swooshing) (upbeat music) - [Announcer] This is the AmFirst Post-Game Show.

- Exhale loudly.

We have just concluded an extraordinary Super 7 here in Jordan-Hare Stadium in the loveliest village on the planes, capped by the 6A State Championship.

Saraland taking control, taking care of Mountain Brook 38-17 for the first State Championship in the young history, the young 12-year history of Saraland High School.

Congratulations to Coach Jeff Kelly and his Spartans and to Mountain Brook Coach Chris Yeager and his Spartans.

They gave us a lot of special moments, but there was one special player that stood out above the rest and that was Ryan Williams, right, Coach Duwan Walker?

- Ryan Williams, he was the highlight of the night, hands down, sophomore.

Look to see a lot more from him, but he really came in and performed.

You know, it was a lot of expectations from him coming into this game and he lived up to every minute of it.

- He really did.

When you come in with that kind of billing, some people think he's the best high school receiver in America as just a sophomore and he really did his damage though out of the backfield in the running game tonight.

- You know, if you have a receiver like that or a player like that, you got to get the ball in his hands and a good way to do that is put him in the backfield.

You know, you put 'em at quarterback, it is in his hand every play, you put it back there and you know, players like that just make things happen.

That's the worst thing as a defense coordinator you wanna see that player in the backfield with the ball in his hands because he can end up anywhere.

- Yeah, they ran speed sweeps.

They ran him outta the wildcat.

He had 15 carries for 188 yards, three touchdowns on the ground, and then through the air, seven catches, 84 yards, another touchdown.

Overall, 22 touches, 272 total yards and four touchdowns.

Special young man and a special night.

- Yeah, well, you know, wherever he is, he's gonna end up with the ball.

If he's out wide, you know, you gotta cover him.

If he's in the backfield, he's going to have the ball some kinda way.

But you gotta, I mean, good luck on trying to stop him.

I mean, and he's a 10th grader, so I mean the guy is phenomenal.

We saw it with our own eyes, his speed, his agility.

It was a sight to see.

- Here's what's scary for the rest of the Class 6A teams in the state, as you mentioned, Duwan, he's a sophomore, quarterback KJ Lacey had a nice game, he's a sophomore, and the running back Sante McWilliams.

- Sophomore.

- Sophomore.

- There you go.

I mean it's those three guys.

The future is bright for Saraland, like you said, and they're, I mean, they haven't been in existence for 12 years.

- That is a terrific trio.

And we are going to hear from the champions from Saraland in just a moment and when they're ready, we will throw it to the post-game press conference.

But just a thorough performance.

They had to be a little nervous because in the quarter finals, they had a big lead against Homewood and then they let the Patriots get back into it.

They had to win in overtime, make a stop on a two-point conversion by inches, game of inches, and now they're State Champs.

- Yeah, and you know, that's the thing about football and them being in this position, being able to continue the progress and go move to the next round.

Do what you have to do to win and they've done that.

They are the champions.

They got the blue trophy and hats off the Mountain Brook.

- Are we ready to go to the press conference?

All right, let's hear from the champions, the Saraland Spartans.

- They've done so well being consistent.

People make a lot of us being young.

We've got great senior leadership.

We've got some young guys that, you know, both juniors and sophomores that just have been resilient all year long.

To go through the southern part of state, 6A Region 1, go 14 to one play, I think arguably the toughest road in the playoffs, going on the road, having to play Hillcrest second round, fourth round Theodore and then come up here and play a very good Mountain Brook team, to see our guys just continue to answer the call and play well and play physical, come up here on this stage and never bat an eye.

And what a great night for Saraland.

What a great night for our community.

Tremendous outpouring of support.

They travel extremely well.

I think we shut the town down and I think all of Saraland's over there in the bleachers celebrating.

We've been up here several times, you know, we've had two losses, we've had a couple Red Maps at home.

We've talked our challenge to the players and our entire program all week when we got there on Monday was, you know, it's not enough just to get here.

We wanna come here and play our best football.

We wanna come here and finish, all right, finish the job, you know, that these guys have set their goal, you know, for a long time and they worked for it.

And to be able to come up here and get it done on this stage at a beautiful venue at Jordan-Hare Stadium, cannot be more proud of our players.

So that's it.

- [Man] Questions for coach, players.

Good job.

- [Press] Jeff, I'll ask you the obvious one.

How do you evaluate Ryan's performance tonight?

- You know, I felt like early in the game, you know, we had some opportunities to make some plays.

Ryan did an outstanding job, both in the past game and in the run game.

That's something that we've kinda added to the portfolio, if you will, the last four or five weeks.

You know, we did it hit and miss throughout the season.

You know, really the last three or four weeks, we've been able to go to that and it's really helped our run game.

And Ryan's a tremendous young man.

He's a tremendous football player.

He's tremendous in the locker room, great team guy.

Felt like we had to come in here, you know, early in the game and take some chances.

I felt like, you know, you come up here, let's lay it on the line, let's push our chips to the middle.

All right, let's go win the thing.

That's why when you're on the 42 and it's fourth and two, Hey, let's go win the State Championship, you know, and then I thought the score, the series of plays right there that Ryan got it in right there at halftime, just that drive right before halftime really was such a huge crushing deal and kinda, you know, set us up to have a good solid second half.

Ryan's been doing that all year.

These guys have played complementary football all year long.

You know, they all feed off each other.

They're probably each other's biggest critic.

They have fun over there on the sideline.

We have so much fun with these guys, but yeah, outstanding night.

- Another question.

- Let just go back here.

- [Press] Yeah, this is for Ryan.

First of all, congratulations.

If second week, what's going through your mind on that last play before the half, Coach?

Everyone in the stadium knows you're getting the ball, you still get it and you dive in.

- Well, once we got the play in, I was just like, whatever it takes, I gotta get in the end zone.

I gotta put a dagger in, gotta make 'em question if they still wanna be here or not.

So once I got the ball, had to get it in no matter what.

- [Press] Your playoff run overall, just kind of what has it meant to you to be a part of this team and you thrive individually while doing it.

- I'm just grateful to be on this team 'cause without the players and coaches and everybody that's been sacrificing for us, we wouldn't even be here, so, I mean, it's more of my teammates just being great all the time and I can't be more thankful.

- [Man] Other questions.

- [Press] Jeff, when you got the replay and you had the ball with one or two seconds left there, no thought of kicking a field goal there?

- No, no, heck we were on the one yard line and I saw that great play by KJ and we had six seconds left on the clock, thought we had a shot on the play before.

It was like, you know, maybe we can get a playoff and then still kick a field goal.

But I told him, throw it over here on the fake route.

They put two guys over there.

It was a great throw, great catch.

And I just happened to be watching the clock, you know, it was just all sort of lined up.

I knew we were out of bounds in time so threw it and challenge it, but when we were down there inside the one, heck, you know, we got two Red Maps at the house.

If it didn't work out, we'd took another third one.

Let's go try to get a blue one.

- [Man] Other questions.

- [Press] Just for the players, for all of you guys, just what does it feel like, what does it mean to you to finally to win a State Championship, and like Jeff said, to win the first one in school history?

- We just start here and work it down.

- Well, it feels amazing.

It's a great atmosphere.

I love working with these guys day in, day out.

Playing and working and I guess for it to finally pay off it's like heartwarming.

It's like very exciting.

- It feels great.

We've been speaking on this since the summer and we spoke it into existence 'cause we just been grinding all summer.

Everybody's doubting us, trying to get us kicked out.

There are all kind of things going on and we just pushed through and it feels great to win for the first win.

- [Man] Don't wanna knock anything off here.

There we go, guys.

- I think it feels great.

After all like the chaos we went through this year and you know, we kept on working through everything to get to this moment.

We came out, we showed that we were here to win it.

- Of course, like everybody else said, it feels great, it feels outstanding.

But Jamison, we were talking the other day and he was like, he wanted to be the first and it like, we just been working to be the first and since, like he said, since early in the season, since before the season even, before we even touched equipment, we was like, "We gotta go win it."

- I wanna ask some real quick, something Jamison said.

I'm talking to kids about the week, talking to 'em about how this is a business trip.

We make sure we go and stay at hotel and handle yourself the right way and don't make bad choices and that, and I'm reading them the riot act.

Jamison goes up to Coach, I think after the team meeting and he said, "Coach, you ain't gotta worry about nothing 'cause we wanna be the first team to bring the State Championship back here to Saraland.

We're going up there to get it done."

- Other questions.

- I'm proud of these guys.

- [Press] Jeff, you wanted to take that Blue Map back, but it looked like you almost dropped it, what happened?

- Hey, I got carried away.

(all laughing) I hold the plate with the fans, look, get them fired up and then I got, and it was a fumble.

Golly, it was almost like interceptions.

Good thing I caught it before it hit the ground right there.

Yeah, there was a moment where I probably wouldn't have lived that one down, but I had a save.

- [Press] That was the best catch of the night.

- That was a pretty, I was worried.

- [Man] Other questions back here?

- [Press] Just talk about the connection y'all have and what's it like to have a quarterback like KJ and (indistinct) with each other?

- [Man] We'll move this back.

Hang on second, we're gonna move it back.

Go, talk to me.

- I'm just grateful because a lot of good receivers don't have that opportunity to have a great quarterback to match with them and he gives me the ball every time I need the ball and he gets it there on time, sometimes early to make me get open and I can't be more grateful for him and I'm just glad we get to come back and do it again.

- Well, the connection there is, it is really great.

Since the summer we've been working on it and everything like that.

We got our connection down.

We just, I don't know what to say really.

(players snickering) - KJ, you wanna address that?

- He just did.

- No, you just did, I'm sorry.

Any other questions you can add here?

- [Aaron] Coach, with KJ in his arm slot, I mean, is it hard for the receivers sort of when they first start getting him to?

- It was hard on his coach, Aaron.

You know, I'm trying to, but I tell you what, the thing I realized early on back in spring training is he's so accurate and there's a rhyme and reason behind it, it's not just happening.

I know the one screen we threw out there to run tonight, there was a guy coming and he kind of come three quarters and threw it around his hip.

There's very few people out there walking around and I've seen a lot of good quarterbacks that has the ability to change and have a reason behind it and still be accurate with the ball and there was a few examples of that tonight.

There's countless of those kind of things.

This happens throughout the year and you know, he's got the talent to be able to do that.

- [Man] Let's take one more question and then let 'em go celebrate with their team.

More questions.

- [Press] Coach, I got one.

Coach defensively, you guys did a great job stopping the rush.

They got a great rush attack.

You outta be proud of that.

- They really did.

It was such a challenge defensively to handle it before they ever snapped the ball.

All the motions, all the shifts.

They really tried to get you outnumbered and outflanked and took us a little while to get settled in, but our coaches did a great job.

Our players adjusted to it and they really, really shut 'em down.

They quit running the ball.

They quit running and went to the passive game so we've been pretty good the last three weeks against a run and playing play tonight with the outstanding running back.

We needed to have every bit of that.

- [Man] Coach, congratulations.

I know y'all got are celebrating to do.

- Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama, as my home sweet home.

I have such a pride in this state and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance.

Vote.

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It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

("Easy Like Sunday Morning") (smooth jazz) (upbeat music) (car lights dinging) (car engine revving) (liquid pouring) (phone buttons clicking) (car engine whizzing) (tires squealing) (tires squealing) (glass shattering) (car light dinging) - [Narrator] Are you an enthusiastic sports fan?

Want to have fun and get in on the action?

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Want to stay active?

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- [Announcer] This is the AmFirst Post-Game Show.

- This game press conference with the runners up from Mountain Brook.

(upbeat music) - It's been so fun and got to spend Thanksgiving with 'em.

It's been a journey.

We've all learned, I've learned, learned some great lessons and I think these guys have too that they'll take for the rest of their lives and so incredibly blessed and thankful and thankful for the year.

- [Man] Questions for coach, players.

- [Press] Coach, obviously you saw number one on film, was it the same in-person?

I mean, what was your plan for him and?

- Well, you know, we had some special things on defense for him, but he is, I mean he's a unique player.

He's, I think probably, you know, I've been at Mountain Brook now 24 years and I think the three top players I've seen is probably Chad Jackson, George Pickens and then him.

You know, I mean this is probably the three top players I've seen in my career that maybe, I've been coaching for 40 years.

He's no doubt the top three or four guys that I've seen, you know, since I've been coaching.

Unbelievable player and they've got quite a few players, but he's really, really special.

- [Man] Question for coach or player.

- [Press] Hey coach, just wanted to ask about the community support tonight.

Obviously the Tiger Walk was special and we've been here all week.

That's probably the biggest fan section we've seen.

What's it mean to play in front of those people and just have the Mountain Brook community support you, win or loss?

- Well, you know, the sons of Mountain Brook, the daughters of Mountain Brook, you know, people get behind 'em.

It doesn't matter if it's football, basketball, it doesn't matter if it's sports, the theater, debate, whatever it is, they get behind 'em and, you know, just to see how much this, us being a part of this meant to them and the support we've had this week.

I've seen this from the outside looking in for years and I wondered what it would be like and it was so different than what I thought.

Being on the inside, you know, everybody wants to help in some way.

They wanna help almost to a fault to where, you know, it sometimes it makes it tough, but I knew we were gonna have this kind of support.

We've always had this kind of support.

It doesn't matter if we're playing, you know, a regular season game or a playoff game or whatever.

The people in Mountain Brook, they love their kids.

- [Man] Josh, go ahead.

- [Josh] For the players, Coach talked about this being a journey and how enjoyable it's been.

Can you guys just try to explain what this season's been like for you and the team from a player's perspective?

- Go ahead.

- I mean, it was just a lot of fun.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

A lot of long hours staying up at school at night.

We had like a fall camp that was 10 straight days of like eight hours of meetings.

It was the best week of my life.

It was just great.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

- It was just a blessing to be around all my, like all my best friends and I'd call 'em family for at 15 weeks and throughout the spring and summer, just like Vaughn said, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

And yeah, I'm just glad we made it as long as we got to be, as long as we got here.

- I'm just really thankful to be a part of this group.

Like Coach Yeager always says in our creed and we all say like, we were a brotherhood forged in fire and we was just really bonded and got close over the season and I'm gonna miss it.

- [Man] Who asked the last question?

Okay, let's go to Josh.

- [Press] No, he asked the last one.

Coach, can you talk about right before the half that was a big momentum swing.

You looked like you guys were off the field.

Replay shows they had the ball, then they scored.

Just talk about how big that may have been.

- You know, things happen.

You have to overcome it, you know, I mean, this is one thing I'm proud of.

We played better in the second half I thought that we played it in the first half and we, you know, that was a very, very physical football game.

It was a very physical first half and I didn't know how much gas we had in the tank, but I'll tell you what, the kids gave every ounce that they had in the tank and that's one thing, you know, we are on the sidelines that these guys are just, I mean, we say we're gonna fight the last man standing and they did.

But you know, that play, it really could have, that thing could have come unraveled.

It could have spiraled and I think that's one thing you're alluding to is it could have spiraled and it didn't.

The kids bowed up, showed a lot of guts and grit and that's one thing I'm gonna remember about this guy.

That's probably one of the proudest moments to me after that, the way that they came out and they continued to fight.

- [Man] Let's go to Cotten again.

- [Press] Players touch on that, that halftime moment where it could have spun and even in the fourth quarter, like you guys had cut it to two and got the ball back.

How did this team just keep plugging away and keeping it a ballgame?

- I mean, for a lot, we were a senior-heavy team, on the field at least, and we knew, I think we were lucky know to know this is our last game together and we didn't wanna waste it.

We knew, we didn't care, we didn't look at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.

We just wanted to enjoy the last 12 minutes together.

- You guys.

- Obviously that play didn't really go the way we wanted it to, but I just, I remember at halftime just looking at the guys around me and no one really had their head down.

It was just like every other play.

It didn't really phase us and it, honestly, it kind of picked everyone up like, "Hey, we're still good, we can keep fighting," and that's exactly what we did.

We just didn't get the break that we needed, unfortunately.

- Yeah, I mean, our team just has a lot of confidence in each other and we just knew that if we stuck together that we could come back and we had confidence in that we really gave it our all in the second half and almost got there.

- [Man] Other questions, Josh.

- [Josh] It seemed like, I don't wanna oversimplify and I don't wanna put words in your mouth, but it seemed like after the Gardendale loss, you guys became a refocused and a slightly different team.

Is that accurate, and if so, how were you guys different?

- Well, Josh, here's the thing.

During that game we had some guys that got anxious, got the jitters, and we were in the middle of the game.

You know, I asked some guys, I said, "What's going on?"

They said, "Coach, I'm just nervous," you know, and so when we got to inquiring more, you know, they were trying to play for a championship and so we said, you know, when we got outta that we said, "Look, we're gonna simplify this game down to its simplest form."

And that's why we're gonna play, number one, we're gonna play for the love of the game.

We're gonna play for the guy beside us, but then it came down to this, we're gonna become, reach mastery level of blocking, tackling, securing the football and finishing.

And if you look at the game tonight, the team that did that won, you know, they did a better job tonight and it is what it is.

I mean, football, championship caliber football, it always comes down to who blocks the best, who tackles the best, who secures the football.

We turned it over one time, they didn't turn it over.

And then, you know, who finishes strong, and I tip my hat to them, they did that.

They've got a great football team and you know, they are a championship caliber football team, but at the same time, you know, I think we are too.

And I told our kids too this, Josh, I said, you know, "Before you're a champion in the arena, you're a champion in your heart.

Nobody makes you a champion because they put a ring on your finger or a trophy on your shelf.

A champion is something that occurs as a journey part of the heart.

It's a growth process and it's something that occurs for the rest of your life.

And it's trying to, it is, it's trying to become a craftsman at whatever you do as a person, your character, everything."

And so that's where the focus came from.

It wasn't trying to win where somebody on the outside said, "You guys are champions."

It was, you know, what is that person and can we become that?

So that was our journey.

- [Man] Other questions.

- [Press] Guys, tell me about the joy of this journey of, you know, y'all been so close the last couple years and to be able to get to this moment, even though it sucks right now, just tell me about the emotion of getting here with this group.

- I mean, I've wanted to, I've dreamed about something like this since I was like five or six years old and then I got to be like a mini celebrity for a week, which is really cool.

I did interviews with you.

(Coach Yeager laughing) I mean I played on a Jordan-Hare, which a lot of people can't say and then, you know, we got got in the end, but gosh, it was, it's really fun.

It was a lot of fun.

- What about you guys down there?

What's your experience?

- Coach always talks about how we need to play with joy and honestly I think that's kind of something we did not only in the games, but every practice.

Like I feel like it was really like a team that we were always up and we are always having a good time and that brought joy not only to me, but everyone on the team and it was truly amazing and it's just amazing to get to play under a coach like Coach Yeager who encourages that type of stuff.

- Yeah, like Vaughn said earlier, this is something we have all dreamed of since third grade coming to Spartan games and wanting to be a part of this.

And it's a lot of fun planning games when you know you've put enough work in to be there.

And when we all just kind of trusted our training, made our game a lot, it made playing and the games a lot more fun and we did that.

- [Man] Coach, that's a good way to end this.

You wanna add your part to it?

- Well, I'll tell y'all something that's so neat to me about high school football and it's really about being a part of the community.

I've been at Mountain Brook for 24 years and for the first time I'm coaching players.

My first year I'm coaching children of people I coached when I initially got to Mountain Brook, it's so fun, but I'll tell ya a story that happened that's just unbelievable.

I'll take this with me to my grave, I guess.

There's a guy on our team named Rob Gillespie, number 15.

And Rob came to my youth football camp when he was in the third grade, and so anyway, the very last day he comes up to me, you know, and he wants to get a picture made with me and we take the picture together and everything and he says coach, he says, "One day we're gonna get a picture together at the State Championship."

About 10 minutes ago, that thing's been on the burner for eight or nine years, you know, and so the last thing I did before we walked off that field is Rob came and found me and it was just like we just surged back into time.

It was such a special thing of being, you know, tomorrow I'm gonna get to go back to Mountain Brook, I'm gonna be a Mountain Brook Spartan tomorrow, you know, and that's pretty darn special.

And I'll have a bunch of guys that waiting in line like Rob Gillespie that wanna be a Mountain Brook Spartan, but that means a lot to me and it means a lot.

I love my community, I love my team and I'm very, very blessed.

- Coach, congratulations on a fantastic season and a fantastic career already, and guys, y'all are super, y'all are absolutely super.

I know y'all wanna go to this table.

(logo swooshing) - No better words than that.

"I love my community, I love my team," from Chris Yeager in Mountain Brook, he's blessed.

We're blessed, Coach Walker, that we've gotten to witness this week at the Super 7 here in Auburn.

Eight champions crowned with the Blue Map, but really 16.