Wellborn wins

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: November 15, 2014

King’s field goal kicks Panthers into third round for first time since 1995

Wellborn’s Dakota King (50) and Jake Thrasher (14) celebrate after King nailed his game-winning field goal out of Landon Machristie’s hold (cover) in the closing seconds Friday night. (Photos by Greg McWilliams)

By East Alabama Sports Today

Dakota King kicked a 25-yard field goal with 12.6 seconds to play Friday night to send the Wellborn Panthers to a place they haven’t been before under coach Jeff Smith and rarely been in their history.

The kick lifted the Panthers to a 24-23 victory over Oakman and into the third round of the Class 3A playoffs.

It’s the first time the Panthers (8-3) have made it to the third round under Smith and only the fifth time in school history – the first since 1995.

They will host top-ranked Madison Academy (11-1) Friday night barring any repercussions from the ugliness that took place in the immediate aftermath of the game. Factions from both sides engaged in hostilities witnesses said spilled onto the field and into the parking lots after the game.

The incident reportedly erupted after a pushing match between players when the final lateral-laden play of the game ended near the Wellborn bench. Sources told East Alabama Sports Today game officials said the players were engaged in pushing and shoving, but only fans threw punches.

The Alabama High School Athletics Association is expected to review the situation this morning. Potential penalties could include the Panthers losing the privilege of hosting what would be their most important playoff game in 19 years. Attempts to reach AHSAA officials and Wellborn coach Jeff Smith Friday night were unsuccessful.

King’s winning kick came after Oakman took the lead on a 92-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Hartley to Ashton Gay with 1:40 to play, but the Panthers blocked the extra point to leave it a two-point margin. Hartley threw two touchdown passes in the final five minutes. The Wildcats (10-2) were 9 of 10 for 206 yards passing in the second half.

Touchdowns by Landon Machristie and D.J. Rhoden staked the Panthers to a 14-3 halftime lead. Machristie added a second touchdown in the second half.

Kevin Mixon led Wellborn’s ground game with 121 yards on 17 carries. Machristie was 5 of 8 for 117 yards passing.

Jake Thrasher (14) breaks through to block an extra point late in the game that allowed Dakota King’s field goal to win it for Wellborn. (Photo by Greg McWilliams)

Fayette County 29, Jacksonville 26

JACKSONVILLE — Kyle Nalls’ 4-yard run and two-point conversion with just over two minutes to play send Fayette County into the third round of the Class 4A playoffs and brought a crushing end to Jacksonville’s best season since 1999.

Nalls had a big night, rushing for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries and pulling off a 93-yard kickoff return.

Tae Ackles led Jacksonville (9-3) with 162 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Sid Thurmond scored two touchdowns – a run and a catch – and had an interception. Thurmond caught eight passes in the game for 139 yards.

Marion County 29, Donoho 18

GUIN – Aaron Pollard broke open a tight game and Donoho’s spirit with three long touchdown passes after the Falcons tied the game 10-10.

The 29 points Marion County scored were more than Donoho (11-1) had given up in its previous 11 games this season combined.

Pollard broke the tie with a 66-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wallace. He also threw a 42-yarder to Robert Pyron and a 23-yarder to 7. The third pass came with less than two minutes to play.

Marion County did to Donoho what the Falcons have been doing to teams all year. The Red Raiders (7-5) held it to 64 yards net rushing and 188 yards total.

Mitchell Baker gave the Falcons an early 3-0 lead with a 26-yard field goal. Justin Foster’s 13-yard run tied the game 10-10. Chandler Collins scored Donoho’s final touchdown on a 1-yard run with 1:03 to play.