VINEMONT, Ala. – Josh Rhodes connected with Travis Speer for a 19-yard touchdown on fourth down with 4:17 remaining Friday night, lifting Vinemont to a 12-7 senior night victory over Susan Moore and securing the Eagles’ seventh consecutive playoff berth.
The Eagles finished the regular season 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Class 3A, Region 6.
Rhodes gave Vinemont an early lead, racing 65 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to put the Eagles ahead 6-0.
Susan Moore answered with 2:19 remaining before halftime, scoring on a pass that was deflected into the air before being caught for a touchdown. The Bulldogs took a 7-6 lead into the break.
Late in the third quarter, Susan Moore threatened to extend its lead after reaching first-and-goal inside the Vinemont 5-yard line. The Eagles held, and Speer intercepted a fourth-down pass in the end zone for a touchback.
Rhodes and Speer then teamed up for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, putting Vinemont back in front 12-7.
Susan Moore muffed the ensuing kickoff, and Vinemont’s Will Conquest recovered. A subsequent Eagles fumble gave the Bulldogs another opportunity, but Brennan Marlow intercepted a second-down pass to end the threat.
With Susan Moore out of timeouts, Vinemont picked up a first down and finished the game in victory formation.
Vinemont finished the regular season 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Class 3A, Region 6.
After an open week, the Eagles are slated to travel to Region 7 champion Central-Florence on Friday, Nov. 6, for the opening round of the playoffs.
The Wildcats entered Friday’s game against Rogers with a 7-1 overall record and a 6-0 region mark.
