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Demopolis runs over Faith Academy for playoff win

Jeremy D. Smith , , , , , , , ,
11-9-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ A.J. Besteder attempts to escape a would-be tackler during the Tigers’ first round playoff win over the Faith Academy Rams.

Demopolis (9-2) is headed to the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs after a 41-13 dispatching of Faith Academy Friday night. The Tigers got both phases of their offense working early Friday night, predicating Peyton Stevenson’s passing off of Antonio Besteder’s rushing.

“I think that was the biggest deal for our coaching staff is that our kids came out of the locker room ready to play, ready to set the tone. I think our players were kind of upset how we finished the season off last week,” Demopolis Head Coach Brian Seymore said.

11-9-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Keyjun Gracie hauls in a touchdown pass during the Tigers’ first round playoff win over the Faith Academy Rams.

The first eight offensive snaps of the game for Demopolis were rushes by Besteder. Demopolis marched 62 yards in 11 plays, turning to the ground game 10 times in the drive before Stevenson found Keyjun Gracie in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown strike.

The Tigers met little resistance in their second drive of the game as Stevenson went over the top to Tyquan Alston for a 49-yard strike before himself scampering for a 25-yard run to set up a Besteder touchdown from three yards out.

“In playoff situations, you’ve got to find that bell cow you want to ride. He’s going to be our guy and he knows it,” Seymore said of Besteder, who had 25 carries for 84 yards Friday night. “We’re going to make sure he gets his touches and we’re going to try to run the ball physical between the tackles. With the weather being like it was, that’s what you need to do. I challenged our kids. I said, ‘Whoever can run up in between the tackles is going to win the football game.’”

The Tigers later added a 26-yard touchdown sprint from Brandon Franklin for a three score lead. The final Demopolis touchdown of the first half came in the form of a Stevenson to Alston that covered 35 yards and left DHS up 27-7 at half.

11-9-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Tyquan Alston hauls in a touchdown pass during the Tigers’ first round playoff win over the Faith Academy Rams.

Demopolis added a pair of second half scores. Trey Murdock caught a tight end screen and darted 53 yards for a touchdown while Franklin hauled in a 4-yard scoring pass.

Stevenson ended the night with 217 yards passing and four touchdowns. Alston paced all receivers with 91 yards on three receptions. Tavian Brown and Alexander Besteder each recorded an interception for the Demopolis defense.

Demopolis travels to Pleasant Grove (9-2) next Friday night for the second round of the playoffs. The occasion will mark the first time the two programs have ever met in a game.

“I just know that they’re more of a spread team coming out of a really good region in Birmingham,” Seymore said of the Spartans. “It’s definitely a challenge but our coaches will be ready. When you advance, it’s always good. But I think our kids will be ready to play.”

11-9-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Trey Murdock heads to the end zone for a touchdown during the Tigers’ first round playoff win over the Faith Academy Rams.