Going out in style
- Updated: October 28, 2016
With no playoffs awaiting, Wellborn goes out with a bang, seniors leave shoes behind as legacy; Ohatchee jumps on Pisgah
Jordan Montgomery wraps up White Plains’ Charles Huey. Montgomery was a force on offense and defense in his final Wellborn football game Thursday night. (Photos by B.J. Franklin/GungHo Photos)
“I think this might be a good thing for our team in general. I hate it for our seniors, but I think not making the playoffs this season will really give the younger guys something to build on for the future.”
— Wellborn coach Jeff Smith
By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today
Jordon Montgomery fought back the tears as he looked around his home stadium for one last time in his impressive four-year career.
The Wellborn senior running back recently was asked by his principal about his final game in Panther black and without hesitation only said, “I think I have one trick left in the bag.”
On Thursday night, the last trick came out.
Montgomery and the Panthers put one final thumping together, rolling over cross-county rival White Plains, 62-13. And for one moment in a season riddled with key losses they sat high on the mountain celebrating a winning season even as thoughts of what might have been lingered.
“It’s emotional right now, and I am trying to fight back the tears,” Montgomery said. “But I am a tough guy, and hopefully I can hold it together before I leave the field one last time.
“What can I say? I just want to thank Wellborn for giving me such an amazing opportunity over the past few years to play football. I think with my performance tonight I gave one last show for the home crowd.”
JORDAN MONTGOMERY
The multi-talented Montgomery shined Thursday night while only playing for one half. He rushed for 120 yards with two long touchdown runs, had two 60-yard interception returns for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions and kicked seven extra points as the Panthers scored 42 points in the first quarter and a 56-7 halftime lead.
The second half was more of a victory lap for the Panthers’ eight seniors and was all too sweet as they watched future stars make their way into the game and score once more late in the third.
“After coming out of the game it was nice to see the young guys get some playing time,” Montgomery said. “The emotions were starting to hit as the fourth rolled around, but I was just thanking God for what he has done for me, and His plan is the reason I’m here. It’s been an amazing ride.”
And then they left their shoes. When the game ended, in a gesture similar to the symbolic retirement of a wrestler, the eight seniors removed their cleats and left them on the panther paws embossed with their numbers.
“No one else in the county has ever done it,” Montgomery said. “One of my seniors, Kane Pitts, thought of it and pitched the idea to us. We all agreed we would do it.”
The Panthers finish their season 5-4. Although the victory over White Plains was sweet, it was still bittersweet as the team and head coach Jeff Smith consider what could have been.
With key losses to teams in their region down the stretch, Wellborn was an overtime two-point conversion by Randolph County away from a possible playoff berth. Instead, they missed post-season play for the first time under Smith and Smith missed for the first time as a head coach in 11 years.
“The last three weeks we played really well,” Smith said. “We started the season strong, and we finished strong. I think if we had a few things go our way in region play, we would have been a playoff team. We have won 55 games in eight years, and I think we can build off of that for the future.”
Losing only the eight productive seniors, Smith and the Panthers look for 2017 to be a year they return to post-season play.
“I think this might be a good thing for our team in general,” Smith said. “I hate it for our seniors, but I think not making the playoffs this season will really give the younger guys something to build on for the future.”
White Plains will go into the offseason searching for answers. The Wildcats finish 0-10 and are on a school-record 15-game losing streak. They gave up 50 points or more five times and a school record 451 points.
One bright spot for the Wildcats was the play of junior quarterback James Bannister. In the first half, Bannister completed 50 percent of his passes with a touchdown to end the second quarter. The Wildcats also managed to accumulate 216 total yards of offense to end the night.
Wellborn gained 440 total yards of offense. Defensively, the Panthers had three interceptions and five sacks. Joseph Harris ran down and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter.
“It was a great team effort tonight,” Smith said. “With play from guys like Montgomery, we were able to really put the throttle down and get one final win for our fans and our school at home.
“Tonight was just one of those nights you have to be proud of. Regardless of what could have happened this season, I am very proud to be a Wellborn Panther right now.”
Wellborn 62, White Plains 13
White Plains 0 7 0 6 — 13
Wellborn 42 14 6 0 — 62
W – Javian Thomas 48 run (Jordan Montgomery kick), 11:17 1Q
W – Jordan Montgomery 41 run (Jordan Montgomery kick), 7:04 1Q
W – Jordan Montgomery 62 interception return (Jordan Montgomery kick), 4:18 1Q
W – Jordan Montgomery 66 interception return (Jordan Montgomery kick), 3:21 1Q
W – Joseph Harris fumble recovery in end zone (Jordan Montgomery kick), 1:16 1Q
W – Ked Harris 71 run (Jordan Montgomery kick), 0:02 1Q
W – Jordan Montgomery 70 run (Jordan Montgomery kick), 11:23 2Q
WP – James Bannister 6 pass (kick good), 7:45 2Q
W – Javian Thomas 67 run (Jordan Montgomery kick), 0:55 2Q
W – JaMyron Curry 20 run (kick failed), 9:25 3Q
WP – John Morgan 56 run (kick failed), 6:24 4Q
Joseph Harris (37) chases White Plains’ Dakota Abramski and the football before recovering the ball in the end zone for another Wellborn defensive touchdown.
OHATCHEE 42, PISGAH 22
PISGAH – Austin Tucker rushed for two touchdowns and two of Taylor Eubanks’ three completions went for scores as the seventh-ranked Indians completed its winningest regular season since 2001.
The Indians went 9-1 that year, too, The nine wins this season are more than the program had won in the previous four seasons combined.
They open the Class 3A playoffs next week against Locust Fork. It’s their first playoff game since 2003 and their first home playoff game since 2002.
“I’m excited and proud for our community finally getting back to the playoffs and with a home game to top it off,” Ohatchee coach Scott Martin said. “Looking forward to getting back home next week after two road wins. I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere. Playoffs, nothing like ‘em.”
The Indians scored all their points in the first half.
Wellborn’s JaMyron Curry (5) and Kane Pitts (13) putting layers of pressure on White Plains quarterback James Bannister. The Wellborn defense recorded five sacks and scored three straight touchdowns.
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