ADDISON, Ala. – Addison hosted the Shoals Christian Flame for their last regular season and region game. With both teams already securing a playoff spot, this game was strictly for seeding. An Addison win would guarantee them second place in the region and give them the ability to host a first-round playoff game. Addison would cruise to a comfortable and easy win over a game but overmatched Flame team that only suited out thirteen players due to injuries.
The game started out well for Addison as they kicked off to Shoals Christian and forced a quick three and out. On the Flame punt the snap went over the punters head and Addison got the ball at the Flame 15-yard line. Two plays later, Addison’s Jed Wilkins ran it in from 14-yards out for the touchdown. The two-point was no good and with 9:19 to go in the first quarter, Addison led 6-0.
Addison forced another punt, but this time Addison gave the ball right back to Shoals Christian on an interception. Shoals picked up a first down on a penalty, which moved the ball into Bulldog territory, but Addison held them at their own 29-yard line on fourth and two.
Addison took over possession and decided to lean heavily on their offensive line against the overmatched Flame. Five running plays later Addison was down to Flame 35-yard line with a first and ten. The first big play on the drive was a fake punt by Wilkins who on fourth and one ran around the end for 13-yards and a first down. Braden Luker then capped off the drive with a nice cut back run to take it the distance from 35-yards out. Luker then ran in the two-point conversion and with 1:09 to go in the first quarter, Addison had stretched their lead to 14-0.
Addison’s Seth Hammack then picked off a Flame pass to end the Flame possession on their second play of their next drive. Mr. Luker, on the very next play, galloped 75-yards for the third Bulldog touchdown of the first quarter. The two-point was no good and with only 29 seconds to go in the first quarter, Addison led 20-0.
Shoals then mounted a quality drive starting at their own 35-yard line. Using the pass, Shoals drove down to the Addison 16-yard line, but Addison held firm. A fourth down Flame pass was batted down in the endzone, and Addison took over at their own 16-yard line.
The Bulldogs took over and again, committed to the ground game. Luker ran for 13, Elijah Roberts for 6, Wilkins for 15 yards and then two Jacob Mauldin runs for 13 yards got the ball down to the Shoals 37-yard line. Addison then had Shoals looking for the run and that is when Wilkins pulled up and hit a wide-open Kayden Dyson down the middle for a 37-yard touchdown catch and run. Dyson was so open he could have crawled the 37-yards and still scored. Hayden Holland ran in the two-point conversion and Addison led 28-0.
Shoals then took over with just a shade over three minutes to go in the first half. The undermanned kids from Shoals didn’t quit and quickly drove down the field through the air. Addison had Shoals facing a fourth and eight at the Bulldog 22-yard line when Shoals QB John Bachofer found Sam Storie on an out route and connected for a 14-yard completion and a first down. Bachofer then hit Rylan Pettus for an 8-yard touchdown pass with only five seconds to go in the first half. The extra point was no good and at the half, Addison’s lead was cut to 28-6.
Addison received the second half kickoff and was determined to take the momentum back from the Flame. On a third and ten play from the Bulldog 38-yard line, Wilkins ran around left end and following his blocks, jaunted 62-yards for the touchdown. Luker ran in the two-point conversion and Addison had reestablished their momentum. Addison led 36-6 with 10:06 to go in the third quarter.
The Dawg Pound Defense stood tall on the next Shoals possession and then the Flame made the mistake of punting to Wilkins. Wilkins then did his best David Palmer impression by returning the punt 60-yards, untouched, for another Bulldog touchdown. Luker ran in the two-point conversion and Addison had stretched the lead to 44-6. with 7:15 to go in the third quarter. This would be the last of the Addison starters that you would see as Coach David Smothers sent in the young Pups to finish out the game.
There was no more scoring for the rest of the game as Addison’s puppies played the Flame starters even. One thing of note did occur, as Addison youngin’ Scout Flynn made an excellent interception where he showed good ball skills and a little speed after he made the catch.
The game ended with Addison winning 44-6 in a game that wasn’t really that close. Addison moves to 8-2 (6-1 region) and will host Pickens County next Friday night in the first round of state playoffs. It actually may be the best first round matchup in the entire 1A bracket. The undermanned Shoals Christian Flame moves to 5-5 (4-3 region) and will travel to play the Lynn Bears in what promises to be a mismatch of epic proportions.
Unofficial stats
Addison had 28 running plays for 293 total yards. Shoals had 20 running plays for 12 total yards.
Addison had 5 pass plays for 67 total yards. Shoals had 28 pass plays for 130 total yards.
Addison had 33 total plays for 360 total yards. Shoals had 48 total plays for 142 total yards.
Addison had Wilkins complete 2 out of 3 passes for 37 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Flynn went 1 out of 2 for 30 yards.
Addison was led in rushing by Luker with 4 carries for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wilkins had 6 carries for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Holland had 3 carries for 18 yards. Mauldin had 4 carries for 19 yards. Roberts had 1 carry for 6 yards.
Addison was led in receiving by Dyson who had 1 grab for 37 yards and a touchdown. Shelton Alexander had a catch for 30 yards.
On defense, Addison was led by Holland, Jordan Hubbert and Hammack with 4 tackles each. Dyson, Tanner Lawrence and Trennon Burns had 3 tackles each. Isaiah Treece, Zayne Smith, J. Wilkins and Alexander had 2 tackles.
Hammack and Flynn each had an interception.
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