Tigers too fast
- Updated: August 19, 2021
Handley jumps out to 48-0 halftime lead in Kickoff Classic win over Guntersville
THURSDAY’S SCORES
AHSAA Kickoff Classic
Handley 55, Guntersville 21
CLASS 6A
Cullman 23, Grissom 0
Hazel Green 49, Mae Jemison 26
Jackson-Olin 50, Woodlawn 0
Muscle Shoals 52, Deshler 14
Spanish Fort 21, Fairhope 10
CLASS 5A
Arab 35, Albertville 0
Russellville 27, Decatur 15
Tallassee 34, Reeltown 13
CLASS 4A
Brooks 16, Colbert County 8
Hanceville 28, Vinemont 16
Northside 37, Berry 6
West Morgan 34, Good Hope 28
Williamson 53, LeFlore 0
Wilson 34, Clements 28
CLASS 3A
Asbury 33, Gaston 8
Carbon Hill 66, Curry 8
Lauderdale County 6, Lexington 0
Trinity Presbyterian 6, Alabama Christian 0
Winfield 6, Fayette County 0
CLASS 2A
Ider 53, Woodville 0
Sheffield 34, R.A. Hubbard 22
Thorsby 32, Jemison 0
Westbrook Christian 52, Coosa Christian 16
CLASS 1A
Notasulga 39, Bullock County 6
Winterboro 18, Vincent 16
From AHSAA Reports
MONTGOMERY – Quarterback Canon Kyles completed 9 of 10 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night as defending Class 4A state champion Handley opened its season with a 55-21 victory over Class 5A Guntersville in the 16th annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl.
The Tigers were missing three players due to COVID concerns and lost quarterback Tae Meadows to an injury in the first quarter, but they scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and rolled to a 48-0 lead by halftime.
“I thought the game started off extremely fast for us tonight,” said Handley coach Larry Strain, who scored his 150th career coaching victory in the game. “I think it had to do with, really, our overall general team speed, yet we’re still pretty physical in the box. It helped us.”
Handley took advantage of its great field position early and used its brute strength and speed to seal the win early.
The defense set up Handley’s offense on the first series by forcing Guntersville (0-1) to a three-and-out. The offense took over the Wildcats’ 35 and needed just three plays to take a 7-0 lead whenKyles fired a 28-yard TD pass to Jordan West and place-kicker Coye Potts booted the extra point with 9:49 left in the first period.
Kyles later threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Quadae Lewis and a 39-yard TD pass to Jamerqui Lewis. He also had an 11-yard touchdown run
The Tigers, who extended their current winning streak to six in a row, got great field position on its next series marching 36 yards on seven plays with Meadows going in from the 1 at 5:09.Meadows, the MVP of last year’s state title game, had 23 yards on six carries before coming out. Elijah Goss was their leading rusher with 109 yards on 19 carries.
Handley’s defense held Guntersville to minus-11 yards of net offense in the first half and 216 yards in the game. Quarterback Cole McCarty completed 7 of 16 passes for 130 yards, most of it a 63-yard TD pass to Cooper Davidson with four minutes left in the game.|
Cover photo: Handley quarterback Canon Kyles threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night. (Photo by Marvin Gentry)
16th Kickoff Classic
Handley 55, Guntersville 21
| Guntersville (0-1) | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| Handley (1-0) | 27 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 55 |
H: Jordan West 28 pass from Canon Kyles (Coye Potts kick), 9:49 1Q
H: Tae Meadows 1 run (Coye Potts kick), 5:09 1Q
H: Quadae Lewis 63 pass from Canon Kyles (Coye Potts kick), 0:53 1Q
H: Brian Joiner 14 fumble recovery (kick blocked), 0:38 1Q
H: Jamarius Haynes 14 run (Coye Potts kick), 10:55 2Q
H: Canon Kyles 11 run (Coye Potts kick), 7:57 2Q
H: Nehemiah Askew 7 run (Davey Towers kick), 1:30 2Q
G: Logan Pate 25 turn (T. Palacios kick), 8:50 3Q
G: Logan Pate 4 run (T. Palacios kick), 2:35 3Q
H: Jamerqui Lewis 39 pass from Canon Kyles (Coye Potts kick), 4:20 4Q
G: Cooper Davidson 64 pass from Cole McCarty (T. Palacios kick), 4:03 4Q
| G’ville | Hand | |
| 1st Downs | 8 | 17 |
| Rushing yds | 25-86 | 42-195 |
| Passes | 7-16-1 | 10-16-0 |
| Passing yds | 130 | 190 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-2 | 0-0 |
| Punts-avg | 5-20.4 | 5-31.2 |
| Penalties-yds | 3-15 | 9-53 |
| Possession time | 14:23 | 33:37 |
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