Big plays, impenetrable defense feature in Demopolis victory

September 8, 2018 Jeremy D. Smith AHSAA, Alabama, Demopolis, demopolis high school, DHS, football, prep sports, Tigers

9-7–18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Tyquan Alston catches a pass over a Bibb County defender during the Tigers’ win over the Choctaws.

Demopolis coughed the ball up five times in the first half but used a suffocating defense to anchor a 39-7 win over Bibb County Friday. The Class 5A, Region 3 opener saw the teams exchange miscues early during a sequence in which three ball was fumbled away three times in a span of four snaps.

“I think our guys, kind of like the coaches, were a little upset we turned the ball over so many times. To be honest with you, we probably could’ve taken care of the game early and we didn’t do that.”

9-7–18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Tavian Brown sacks Bibb County’s quarterback and causes a fumble as Fred Haywood (44) closes in during the Tigers’ win over the Choctaws.

Things ultimately settled during an 8-play, 60-yard drive that culminated with a 2-yard touchdown run from Antonio Besteder. The lead would last exactly 4:38 as Bibb’s Myles Kornegay punched it in from six yards out on the final play of the opening quarter to tie the game.

A bizarre sequence turned the game midway through the second quarter. C.J. Williams stepped in front of a Choctaw pass for his third interception of the season before fumbling the ball right back to Bibb on the return. Seconds later, Bibb snapped the ball well into its own end zone and had to dive on it to give the Tigers the safety and a 9-7 lead.

Demopolis wasted no time after the ensuing free kick as Peyton Stevenson went over the top to Keyjun Gracie for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Alexaner Besteder then hit Alston on a two-point conversion pass to make it 17-7.

9-7–18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Fred Haywood rumbles on an interception return during the Tigers’ win over the Choctaws.

Demopolis stretched the lead with 9:10 to go in the third quarter when Gracie caught a Stevenson pass and fought through defenders for an 11-yard touchdown. The Tigers capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 60-yard touchdown run from Brandon Franklin and a 19-yard sprint from Rashaad Boone.

Franklin led all rushers with 118 yards on 13 carries. Antonio Besteder had 91 yards on 21 rushes. Gracie hauled in four passes for 74 yards.

Williams and Fred Haywood each had an interception as part of a Demopolis defensive effort that held Bibb to 15 total yards.

Demopolis (2-1, 1-0) travels to Marbury next Friday night for another Class 5A, Region 3 contest.