Demopolis clinches Region 3 crown with win over Sumter

LIVINGSTON – The playoff picture is starting to take shape in Class 5A and Demopolis will be a No. 1 seed. The Tigers guaranteed themselves as much Friday night with a 58-8 road victory over Region 3 foe Sumter Central.

“I felt like our guys kept their head the first half, did what we were supposed to do, took care of business. I’m proud of our kids. That wrapped up the region championship,” Demopolis coach Brian Seymore said.

Demopolis saw its offense start on short fields all night, taking advantage early with a 30-point first quarter before cruising to the win. A.J. Jackson score on touchdown runs of 5, 3 and 37 yards in the first quarter. Antonio Besteder had scoring runs of 3, 3 and 2 yards respectively in the game. Russ Logan had a 1-yard touchdown run while LaQuinton Wright scored from 7 yards out.

Sumter got its touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard pass from Duane Ruffin to Tamarius Kirksey.

Jackson ran for 105 yards on seven carries while Besteder added 90 yards on 19 rushes.

The Tigers forced three turnovers on the evening with K.D. Daniels and C.J. Williams each recovering a fumble and Alton Rowser intercepting a pass.

Demopolis (6-1, 5-0) will finish no worse than in a first-place tie with Calera in Region 3 and holds the tiebreaker over the Eagles by virtue of a head-to-head win. Demopolis will host the No. 4 seed from Class 5A, Region 1.

The Tigers step out of region to host Class 7A Enterprise next Friday night.

We’ve got a lot to look forward to. We’ve got some games coming up that are true measuring sticks of where we are as a program and how much better have we gotten. I’m looking forward to that,” Seymore said.