Demopolis proves relentless in skunking of Class 7A Enterprise
Demopolis dominated from pillar to post Friday night to pick up its first win in program history over a Class 7A team. The Tigers ran for 341 yards on the night to anchor a 33-7 victory over Enterprise.
“We knew we could compete with those guys. We knew we had to play with a total team effort against a team of that caliber,” Demopolis coach Brian Seymore said.
Demopolis had scoring drives of 99, 95, 86, and 79 yards in the game. The Tigers’ first touchdown punctuated an eight-play, 95-yard drive that was highlighted by a 47-yard A.J. Jackson sprint Antonio Besteder finished it off with a 10-yard touchdown run with 3:16 remaining in the opening frame to make it 6-0.
“I think it was more of a physical challenge on both sides of the ball. Our offensive line played with intensity. Our backs, I can’t say enough about them and the physical nature they play with,” Seymore said. “Andrew (Patterson) threw it well. He ran the offense. He had a couple of big runs tonight.”
Demopolis got the ball back with 14 seconds left in the opening quarter, taking over on its own 1 yard line following a brilliant Enterprise punt. Undaunted, the Tigers proceeded to pound the ball with a 13-play drive that covered 99 yards and resulted in a five-yard A.J. Jackson touchdown run. Demopolis executed 10 run plays on the drive and mixed in a pair of 11-yard passes to Tyler Jones as well as a 12-yard strike to DeDe Davis.
Up 13-0, Demopolis attempted a surprise onside kick that landed in Wildcat hands and set Enterprise up at the Tiger 42. Chance Warren starred on the drive, hauling in a 25-yard pass to set up a goal-to-go scenario. Warren shifted to the quarterback spot in the wildcat formation to score on a three-yard touchdown run and cut the deficit to 13-7.
When Enterprise’s Hunter Peacock sniffed out a bubble screen and picked off a Demopolis pass on the ensuing possession, the Wildcats appeared poised to take it in from 29 yards out and wrest away the lead. Enterprise hit Warren for a 17-yard strike to set up a goal-to-go situation from the Demopolis 8. A negative run play, two incomplete passes and a false start turned the favorable circumstance into a 4th and goal from the Tiger 15. Enterprise then missed a 32-yard field goal attempt and never threatened again in the game.
“That goes back to our coaches. That goes back to how we prepare each day. We work three days in the weight room. We take a lot of pride in that. We practice physical each week,” Seymore said of his team’s effort. “If you want to be one of the high echelon teams, you have to play physical. Our coaches coach like that daily and I think that’s the key to us playing at a high level.”
Demopolis added a 7-yard scoring run from Besteder in the third quarter. Besteder scored on a 15-yard run in the fourth while Jackson ran it in from 22 yards out for the capper. The Demopolis defense showed itself equally as well, holding Enterprise to 107 yards of total offense including -7 yards in the entire second half.
“I think we played assignment football. Our kids understand how important it is to play defense. As many times as we can get the ball back to our offense, that’s more chances to score,” Seymore said. “They had a very talented receiver, and we put emphasis on knowing where he was at. In the second half, we pretty much shut him down. That’s where you win the big games on those defenses.”
Demopolis amassed 441 yards of total offense, anchored by 341 yards rushing. Jackson finished with 165 yards on 20 carries while Besteder ran for 129 yards on 23 carries. Roderick Gaines and C.J. Williams each picked off a pass for the Demopolis defense.
Demopolis (6-1, 5-0) hosts Jemison next Friday night for the final Class 5A, Region 3 contest of the season. The Tigers are set to travel to Auburn Nov. 3.