ADDISON, Ala. – Addison hosted their longtime rivals, the Meek Tigers, Friday night and they just so happen to be in the same region. Addison had a chance to take a stranglehold on the region title with a win and that is just what they did in dominating fashion. A victory next week against Vina will secure the region title for the Dawgs. Addison controlled both lines of scrimmage and won the game handily, 61-22.
Addison also recognized the school’s last football state title team which was in 2005. That team went 14-1 finishing the season with 14 straight wins and a romp through the state playoffs. Addison had numerous coaches, players and cheerleaders from the team present, and the crowd gave them a raucous welcome. Addison also held their first ever senior night for the seniors on Addison’s football team as well as the senior cheerleaders. It was a nice presentation that was appreciated by the players and fans.
Now to the game. It started off badly for the hometown Bulldogs as they kicked off and Tiger Evan McCay returned the kickoff 78 yards all the way down to the Bulldog four-yard line. The Bulldog defense stiffened and on fourth and goal from the seven, McCay rolled to his left and found Weston Williams for the touchdown. McCay found Ethan Miles for the two-point conversion pass and with 9:31 to go in the first quarter, Meek led 8-0.
Addison’s first offensive possession gave a hint on what was to come as they only took four plays to traverse 58 yards for the touchdown. Elijah Roberts scampered forty yards for the score. The two-point try was no good and with 8:31 to go in the first quarter, Meek led 8-6.
Meek’s next possession started at their own 16-yard line. After a first down, Tigers QB Evan McCay was sacked by Casen Hill, who played some inspired football on this night. Hill after getting the sack, stripped the football from McCay and recovered the fumble at the Tiger 11.
Meek’s defense rose to the occasion and kept the Bulldogs from scoring as they only could muster 2 yards on four plays.
After a Tiger punt, Bulldog QB Roberts found Judah Wilkins for 53 yards and the score. The drive only took one play. The two-point attempt was no good and Addison had pulled ahead 12-8 with 1:38 to go in the first quarter.
After forcing another Tiger punt, Addison took one play for Roberts to find Trennon Burns for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Roberts hit Scout Flynn for the two-point conversion and Addison stretched the lead to 20-8 with 11:40 to go in the second quarter.
Meek punted on their next possession and Roberts made them pay. Roberts ran the punt back 55 yards for the Bulldog touchdown. The extra point was no good and Addison led 26-8 with 9:23 left in the half.
After an exchange of punts, Addison’s Connor Lane picked off a Tiger pass and returned it 60 yards for the pick six. Roberts found Major Snoddy for the two-point conversion and still with 5:14 left in the half, Addison led 34-8.
Meek’s next possession was unusual. On fourth and one from their own thirty-nine-yard line, Meek moved their All-State defensive lineman, Aiden Benson who is listed at 6’2″ and what appears to a suspect 277 pounds into the backfield. Benson was given the ball, and the man is not just big, but he is nimble and fast. Benson broke the ball off right tackle and rambled like an Abrams tank 61 yards for the touchdown. Benson was outrunning Bulldog defensive backs. It was fun to watch. McCay hit Brady Baxter with the two-point conversion and Meek had gotten some momentum cutting the score to 34-16 with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter.
Meek kicked off and was looking to carry the momentum that the big man touchdown run had given them, but this Bulldog team snatched any hope the game Tigers had right out of their bodies. Wilkins returned the kickoff 35 yards to the Tiger 45. It only took six plays, mainly passing, to set up Roberts for a 4-yard touchdown run. Roberts scored with 49 seconds left in the half. After the missed conversion, Addison led 40-16 and that is how the half would end.
Addison received the second half kickoff and marched right down the field, 49 yards for the score. Seth Hammack ran it in from 8 yards out for the touchdown. Lane kicked the extra point and Addison led 47-16.
Addison’s Lane picked off his second pass on Meek’s first possession of the half. Five plays later, Zane Smith rambled in 8 yards out for the score. Lane kicked the extra point and Addison led 54-16 with 7:36 left in the third quarter.
Meek was able to grab a score on a McCay to Jaxon Brown 17-yard pass. This was a 10 play 93-yard drive for the Tigers. It should be mentioned it was on Addison’s young pups as Bulldog Head Coach Mark Hastings had put the youngins’ in on defense. The two-point was no good and Addison led comfortably, 54-22.
Addison’s Smith tacked on a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth and with the Lane extra point, the score was 61-22 and that is how it would end.
Addison, notwithstanding a historic collapse in the final two games, has all but clinched the region title with the win and Meek has all but assured itself of a playoff berth with two games remaining for the Tigers. Addison moves to 7-1 (5-0 region) and will travel to Vina to attempt to officially clinch the region title. Meek falls to 4-3 (3-2 region) and will travel to Cherokee for a region matchup.
Unofficial stats
Addison ran 18 rushing plays for 185 yards. Addison ran 14 passing plays for 185 yards. Addison ran a total of 32 plays for 370 total yards. Meek ran 43 rushing plays for 219 yards. Meek ran 21 passing plays for 85 yards. Meek ran a total of 64 plays for 304 total yards.
Addison’s Roberts went 8 completions in 14 attempts for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meek’s Mccay went 10 completions in 21 attempts for 85 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Addison was led in rushing by Hammack with 6 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Smith had 4 carries for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns. Roberts had 7 carries for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meek was led by Big Aiden Benson with 3 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. Hunter Wyatt had 19 carries for 79 yards. McCay had 17 carries for 34 yards. Â
Addison’s Wilkins had 4 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Burns 3 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Scout Flynn 1 catch for 16 yards. Meek had Brown with 4 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Brady Baxter 3 catches for 26 yards. Williams 1 catch for 7 yards and a touchdown. Ethan Miles had 1 catch for 11 yards.
On defense, Addison was led by Joey Wilson with 8 tackles. Brye Dollar and Flynn with 5 tackles. Lane, Smith, Hill and Ben Bridges had 4 tackles each. Noah Daffron and Cash Turner had 3 tackles each. Casen Hill had 2 sacks and a fumble recovery. Lane had 2 interceptions with a touchdown. Roberts returned a punt for a TD.
On defense, Meek was led by Benson with 5 tackles and a sack. Payton Deerman, McKinnon Guthrie and Ethan Miles had 4 tackles each. Ben Cochran and Brady Baxter with 3 each.
