Abbeville players and coaches didn’t just think they could defeat Eufaula. They expected to.

Their great expectations came to fruition Friday as the Class 3A Yellow Jackets stunned the Class 5A Tigers 28-15 in Eufaula.

Eufaula led 15-7 early in the third quarter, but Abbeville rallied to tie and take the lead and then iced the game with an 11 minute, 86-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown run bysenior quarterback Corey Gochett.

“We claimed it in July. The hard work in the summer paid off,” Abbeville coach Al Shipman said. “This is the hardest working team I’ve ever had … We just shocked a lot of people.”

Abbeville senior tailback Andre Kinsey had his way with the Eufaula defense for much of the evening. He rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown.

“I can’t express to you enough the character he has,” Shipman said. “When he plays, he plays all out. He leads this team.”

EHS coach Dan Klages acknowledged the magnitude of Abbeville’s win.

“(Their players and coaches) may have been the only people who thought they could beat us,” he said. “You have to give them credit.”

Both teams scored once in the first half. Eufaula took the opening kickoff and marched 79 yards for an easy score. Ramon Lewis scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, while Ben Thomas converted the two-point conversion pass to Jamal Walton. Eufaula led 8-0 with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter.

Abbeville scored on the second play of the second quarter when Kinsey went in from 15 yards out. The Yellow Jackets kicked the extra point, and Eufaula’s 8-7 lead would carry into halftime.

The Tigers took advantage of an Abbeville turnover early in the third quarter and scored their second touchdown when Demonte Jett connected with Arenza Johnson on an 18-yard touchdown pass. Jim Johnsonbooted the extra point kick, and Eufaula led 15-7.

Shipman credited his team for not panicking after Eufaula’s second touchdown.

“Our confidence was fine … We never stopped believing,” he said.

Abbeville tied the game with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter after Gochett connected with Dez Brown for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Quin Sampson added the two-point conversion.

What would be the winning points came in bizarre fashion. Eufaula was driving late in the third quarter and had first down near the Abbeville 25. But Alex Grimsley recovered a Eufaula fumble and returned it past his team’s 40-yard line before fumbling it.

Fortunately for Abbeville, Jerrel Nelson picked up the loose ball and ran the remaining 50-plus yards for the touchdown. Several Eufaula players thought the play was dead near the original line of scrimmage.

“Whenever a break occurred, they took advantage of it,” Klages said of Abbeville.

Abbeville will host Luverne next Friday while Eufaula will host Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee next Friday.

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After a struggling defensive performance in a jamboree two weeks ago, Abbeville Christian head coach Eric Jones knew he had to make some changes.

Those changes proved fruitful for the Generals in the season-opener Thursday night.

Behind an overpowering defense, Abbeville Christian claimed a 14-6 win over Ashford Academy at James W. Rane Field in the season and AISA Class A, Region 1 opener for both teams.

The game also marked the debuts of Jones and Ashford Academy’s Robbie Brown as new head coaches at the schools.

Jones can thank the Generals defense mainly for giving him his first win.

ACA held Ashford Academy to just four first downs, 45 rushing yards and 79 total yards, while forcing three turnovers. But the defense was even more dominating than those stats indicate.

Of the Falcons 39 rushing plays, the Generals stuffed 22 for negative yards. Four others gained no  yards.

Only a 44-yard touchdown run and a late 53-yard scamper kept the Falcons in positive yardage for the night.

“They were wonderful,” Jones of his team’s defense. “They played excellent. They gave up two big plays and that was all they gave up all night. I am so proud of all my guys. The defense really stepped up.

“After our jamboree against Randolph Southern, we played so bad with the 40 (defense) and we made a lot of adjustments in the two weeks. The boys worked really hard. We changed out to a 5-3 as we figured we could pursue better with that.”

Led by nose guard Jameson Brown, linebackers Corey Owens and Justin Walker along with linemen Tyler Giles and Josh Fleming and defensive back Dillon Barren, the Generals constantly lived in the Falcon backfield.

They also refused to let Falcon runners go northward. Almost every play was turned outside to east-west, allowing pursuit to help out.

The General offense, though, had a hard time cashing in on field position, earning just seven first downs and 187 total yards in the game.

ACA also hurt itself with four turnovers, three on offense and one on special teams.

However, the offense did enough with two possessions to build a 14-0 halftime lead.

Late in the first quarter, Owens timed an inside blitz perfect on the count and got to Ashford Academy’s quarterback, causing a fumble. Brown recovered at the Falcon 18.

Four plays later, Sterling Armstrong  scored off the right side on a 4-yard run. Owens converted the point after to make it 7-0 with 2:23 to go in the quarter.

Abbeville Christian struck big in the half’s final seconds  for its other score.

Facing third-and-7 at its own 45 and the clock under 20 seconds, sophomore quarterback Travis Johnson rolled to his right and heaved a pass toward Walker at the Falcon 30-yard line.

Two Falcon defenders were there, one in front and one in back. The one in front tipped the pass as he fell down, while the back one overran the play. Walker, meanwhile, caught the deflection, turned around to his left and had nothing but green grass to the end zone.

Owens converted the PAT again, making 14-0 with just 11.5 seconds left in the half.

The Falcon offense finally broke through late in the third quarter.  With good field position after ACA penalties and  a punt, Ashford Academy took over at the ACA 44.

On the first play, Kyle Singletary took a wingback reverse to the right, found a hole at the end, then bounced off a tackler five yards down before racing to the outside for a 44-yard touchdown run.

The try for two failed, leaving it 14-6.

The Falcons made things testy for ACA in the fourth quarter when quarterback Trey Johnston found real estate on a 53-yard roll-out run to the right before pursuit caught him at the ACA 34 with just under five minutes left.

However, the General defense stiffened, forcing three negative plays in the next four, the last coming when Fleming and Justin Watford brought down Johnston for a 6-yard loss after the defense forced him to scramble around.

ACA then burned out the clock to finish the game.

Dothan Eagle © Copyright 2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company.

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On Wednesday, the two created history.

Grubbs and Hill signed college letter of intents to play softball at Division I Alabama A&M in Huntsville. They are believed to be the first two players from the school to sign a softball scholarship to an NCAA Division I school.

“It feels great,” said Grubbs, who played shortstop for the Yellow Jackets. “I am feeling awesome about it. I feel like I will be an asset on the team, so I am feeling good about it.”

Hill, a third base, was humbled at the chance to continuing playing.

“It is a privilege,” Hill said. “I am blessed and I am happy.”

Making it doubly better for the two was signing together and continuing their long-time close friendship on a daily basis.

“Going with one of my teammates is a plus because we have been playing together for so long,” Grubbs said. “It will feel natural.”

Hill added, “I get to play with my best friend. It is great.”

Both players said Alabama A&M fit their desires for a college choice.

“I visited other schools, but Alabama A&M was the right school for me,” Hill said. “I loved the campus and I feel I will be a great asset to the team.”

Grubbs said, “Alabama A&M was the right place for me because I loved the campus and I am very excited about playing with the softball team.”

Grubbs and Hill were among the few highlights on an Abbeville team that struggled in the win column, though it reached the 3A South Regional Tournament.

Grubbs was a catalyst on offense. According to head coach William Helms, she hit .588 with 33 runs batted in and stole 111 bases.

“She has been the leader of the team,” Helms said. “Whatever she does and whatever way she went, that is the way the team went that day. If she plays hard, the whole team plays hard. In her first at-bat, I can tell whether we are going to win or lose. She carries the emotion of the team.”

Hill, a standout on offense as a junior, slumped a little this year but still hit a solid .373 with 30 runs batted in. However, her biggest value is on defense where few balls get past her at third.

“Mel is the most consistent player I have had for four years,” Helms said. “Anything hit towards her, she would do her best to get to it and most of the time, she got it and dug it out. We call her ‘Catwoman’ because her reflexes are so fast.”

Grubbs said she believed she would likely play shortstop at A&M. Hill said she would likely play third base for coach Nedra Brown’s team but could also see time in the outfield.

Reprinted from
The Dothan Eagle
May 12, 2010
To view the article in its original location, click here.

The Generals started the game driving down the field and scoring to take a 6-0 lead. Later in the game the Falcons tied it up with a 95 yard touchdown run.

The Generals continued to struggle and the Falcons took control of the game in the second half making the score 23-6 late in the fourth quarter.

Chip White would connect with Brandon Oates for an 80 yard touchdown making the score 23-14.

The Falcons recovered the Generals’ onside kick, but fumbled the ball on quarterback sneak. The fumble was picked up by Jameson Brown and returned to the Falcons’ 25 yard line.

The Generals were able to score late on the drive but failed to get the 2-point conversion. Once again the Falcons recovered the onside kick and were able to run the clock out on the Generals.

Leaders for the Generals were Taylor West with 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries; Shelby Watford had 9 carries for 42 yards; Corey Owens with 9 carries for 29 yards. Chip White threw for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns; Brandon Oates had 122 yards receiving and a touchdown on 6 catches; Watford also added 5 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively the Generals were led by Owens with 11 tackles and a sack; Hank Walker had 8 tackles and an interception; Watford had 5 tackles and a pass broken up; West added 6 tackles; Jameson Brown had 3 tackles and a fumble recovery; Dillon Barron also had 5 tackles.

Contributed by Tyler Giles
Taken from Rickey Stokes News

The Panthers came out strong holding Abbeville on their first possession. After Abbeville had to give up the ball on downs Wicksburg drove the ball to the end zone and scored on a 1 yard run from Evan Smith going up 6-0. Wicksburg kicked off to Abbeville and they drove down the field for six and tied the score 6-6.

That ended the scoring until late in the second quarter with a little over 1 minute left in the half Wicksburg struck again on a 21 yard pass from Evan Smith to Blake Sims. Then Tyler Dawkins ran it in to make the 2 point conversion good. Abbeville took the kickoff and in a few playes was in field goal position. The kick was good and that ended the half Wicksburg 14 – Abbeville 9.

After a great halftime show from both bands we were back to some exciting Friday night football. The 3^rdquarter was a game of defense with both teams keeping the other out of the end zone. With a little over 4 minutes left in the game Wicksburg started a long drive that would end in the end zone on a 16 yard run from Tyler Dawkins.

Abbeville struck right back on a series of passes. Abbeville was back in the game after a Wicksburg fumble and in scoring position when Matt Pressgraves caused a fumble that was picked up by Andrew Daughtry. The Panthers held and the final score was Wicksburg 20 – Abbeville 15.

Offensively for Wicksburg: Tyler Dawkins 31 carries for 126 yards. Andrew Jones 8 carries for 12 yards. Evan Smith 5 carries for 4 yards. Kyle Sullivan had 1 reception for 31 yards and a TD. Brandon Dean caught 2 for 19. Blake Sims had 3 receptions for 36 yards and a TD. Seth Wiehe caught 1 for 17 yards. Evan Smith threw 7 for 13 for 103 yards.

Defensively for Wicksburg: Justin Pritchett had 8 solos, 4 assist, and caused a fumble. Chad Holley had 5 solos, 2 assists, and caused a fumble. Aaron Jones had 2 solos, 4 assists, and 1 sack. Luke Miller had 4 solos, 2 assists, and caused 1 fumble. Seth Wiehe had 3 solos, 2 assists, and 1 sack. Matt Pressgraves had 3 solos, 1 assist, and caused a fumble.

Contributed by Wanda Seals
Taken from Rickey Stokes News

This is the second loss in a row by the now 3-2 Jackets.

“We started the year like gang busters and we need to go back to it,” stated Coach Alphus Shipman.

According to Coach Shipman, the Jackets are pretty banged up now and missed assignments are taking place because of younger players having to see action.

Friday night the Jackets travel to Brundidge to take on the 5-0 Pike County Bulldogs.

According to Coach Shipman, Pike County has a reputation of trying to intimidate its opponents.

“If we do not let this happen to us, we have a chance to win,” Coach Shipman said.

Coach Shipman said even with two losses, the Jackets are not out of the playoff picture. However, he said the Jackets need at least three more wins to get there.

In the Houston County game, the Lions took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards in seven plays capped by a 26 yard run by Desmond Warren with 10:00 left in the first. The PAT attempt was blocked.

A few plays later, the Lions recovered an Abbeville fumble and scored on a 19 yard pass from Warren to Patrick Smith with 8:42 left in the first. The try for two failed.

The Jackets took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Lions 20 where a pass on third and 10 was intercepted to stop the drive.

In the drive Corey Gochett had pass completions of 23 yards each to Quentin Newman and Marcus Grimsley.

For the Lions, Warren threw for two other touchdowns to Jazeric Peterson.

Kenny Barber also scored on a two yard run.

Abbeville scored its lone touchdown in the second quarter on a 10 yard run by Newman to cap an 80 yard drive. Adam Rodriquez kicked the PAT.

The Jackets had 100 yards rushing and 60 yards passing on the night.

Andre Kinsey led Abbeville rushers with 81 yards.

Corey Gochett completed 6 out of 19 passes for 60 yards.

On defense, Darious Brown had 15 tackles, Alex Grimsley 10, Siran Neal 9, and Jerell Nelson with 7.

Contributed by
The Abbeville Herald
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 Edition
Pages 12, 14

With football weather in the air, Abbeville’s Jackets were ready for the challenge ahead. Quick into the game Abbeville’s offense would light the scoreboard up with the first score of the night. By the end of the first quarter, Abbeville would round up 20 points while Ashford remained scoreless.

Abbeville would again add 8 points to their lead by the end of the second quarter. Ashford’s defense held the Abbeville offense in the third quarter.

However, Abbeville would add one more touchdown in the fourth quarter. The final score of the night was Abbeville 34 Ashford 0.

With the game tied with 1:30 to go in the fourth quarter, the Rangers lined up for the go ahead field goal. The kick was blocked by the Generals and West returned the blocked field goal 97 yards to score the game winning touchdown.

On the night West had 8 tackles and a broken-up pass. He also contributed to the offense, rushing for 78 yards.

Congratulations Taylor!

Contributed by Tyler Giles

Taken from Rickey Stokes News
See the Original Article

ACA kicked off to the Rangers to begin the game. The Generals defense held them on fourth down to gain possession of the ball. After a big run by Shelby Watford, the Generals scored on a Chip White quarterback sneak. The Generals would get the 2 point conversion.

The Generals offense would add another touchdown on a 4-yard run by Watford, though the Generals would fail to get the conversion.

The Rangers would eventually come back and tie the game at 14 in the 4th quarter. With 1:20 left in the game the Rangers attempted a field goal from the Generals 15-yard line. ACA’s defensive line was able to penetrate the Lyman Ward offensive line and block the kick. The ball was picked up in the end zone by Taylor West, who returned the blocked kick 101 yards for a Generals touchdown! The Generals would get the 2 point conversion to make the score 22-14 to hold the Rangers off and escape with a win.

Leaders on offense for the Generals were Shelby Watford with 114 yards on 14 carries; Taylor West rushed for 78 yards on 10 carries; Corey Owens had 16 yards on 7 rushes; Chip White passed for 69 yards, he also rushed for 7 yards and a touchdown on 4 rushes.

Defensively for the Generals, Parker Champion had 12 tackles; Hank Walker had 11 tackles; Blaine Sellers had 10 tackles; Dillon Barron had 8 tackles and an interception; West had 8 tackles, a pass broken up, and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Also contributing to the defensive effort were Corey Owens with 9 tackles; Shelby Watford and Anthony Sellers with 8 tackles each.

The Generals have an off week this week but will face their rival the Ashford Academy Falcons next Friday night at home.

Contributed by Tyler Giles
Taken from Rickey Stokes News
See the Original Article