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Demopolis comeback effort fizzles at Auburn

Jeremy D. Smith , , , , ,
10-31-2015 - Auburn, Ala. - Demopolis' Russ Logan sacks Auburn's quarterback.
10-30-2015 – Auburn, Ala. – Demopolis’ Russ Logan sacks Auburn’s quarterback.

AUBURN — Demopolis saw its onside kick land harmlessly in the arms of a return man with 14 seconds to play Friday as it fell to Class 7A Auburn High 24-16.

10-31-2015 - Auburn, Ala. - Demopolis' A.J. Collier breaks away from would-be tacklers after a reception.
10-30-2015 – Auburn, Ala. – Demopolis’ A.J. Collier breaks away from would-be tacklers after a reception.

“It was tremendous effort. I thought for four quarters we had great effort,” Demopolis coach Stacy Luker said. “In the third quarter and part of the fourth, they did what they needed to do to win the football game. They came out after us and started moving the football.“

The teams played to a 3-2 Auburn lead by halftime on the strength of a 31-yard Sage Ledbetter field goal with 3:54 left in the opening quarter. At the 10:08 mark in the second frame, Travares Hall chased down the Auburn quarterback in the end zone for a safety and cut it to 3-2.

10-31-2015 - Auburn, Ala. - Demopolis' Travares Hall sacks Auburn's quarterback in the end zone for a safety.
10-30-2015 – Auburn, Ala. – Demopolis’ Travares Hall sacks Auburn’s quarterback in the end zone for a safety.

Cedric Clark ran for touchdowns of 13 and 1 yard in the third quarter to up the Auburn lead to 17-2. Garrett Morris scored with 11:32 left in the game to stretch the advantage to 24-2.

Jay Craig took a short pass from Jamarcus Ezell and sprinted 45 yards for a score with 18.4 seconds left to cut the deficit to 24-16 and set up the onside kick attempt.

At the 6:53 mark in the fourth quarter, Keishaun Scott scored on a 23-yard run to end a stretch of three consecutive Auburn scores.

10-31-2015 - Auburn, Ala. - Demopolis' Jamarcus Ezell (15) fires a pass to William Wilkins (23).
10-30-2015 – Auburn, Ala. – Demopolis’ Jamarcus Ezell (15) fires a pass to William Wilkins (23).

Demopolis had its chances early in the contest, driving inside the Auburn 2 on two occasions before coming away with no points each time.

Demopolis amassed 376 yards of total offense in the game including 197 through the air on 9 of 15 passing by Ezell.

“I’m proud of our guys. Surely something positive will come out of this.”

Demopolis (8-2, 7-0) opens the Class 5A playoffs next Friday when it hosts Charles Henderson.

10-31-2015 - Auburn, Ala. - Demopolis' Jay Craig heads downfield against Auburn High School.
10-30-2015 – Auburn, Ala. – Demopolis’ Jay Craig heads downfield against Auburn High School.