Falcons blanked on road
- Updated: October 2, 2021
Donoho lost three touchdowns to penalties, shut out for first time this season
By Dean Harrell
For East Alabama Sports Today
RAGLAND – The Ragland Purple Devils have been nothing short of dominant on both sides of the ball the last two weeks. Putting up great numbers on offense and limiting teams on defense have made them a force to be reckoned with as the season approaches its end.
The Devils were seeking another dominant performance after a blowout victory the week before and got their wish with a 25-0 shutout of Donoho. Ragland has outscored its last two opponents 103-0.
Big plays were able to guide the Purple Devils (5-1, 2-1 Class 1A Region 5). Two of the touchdowns came on a 40-yard reception by Jordan Turner and a 42-yard reception by Ethan Courtney, giving their team a huge momentum boost in the first half. The two receivers combined for 156 receiving yards.
Even the special teams contributed to some points. Bradly Dill’s blocked punt set up an Owen Schall touchdown pass to Turner for 29 yards.
“We were able to execute well on offense in the first half and maintained the lead,” Turner said.
The Purple Devils’ defense was highly active throughout the night. They forced Donoho quarterback Ridge Hopkins into a 17-of-31 passing night and an interception by Turner.
“It was tough (to stop them), they have a good run game,” Turner said. “Their record doesn’t show it well, but they’re really good.”
“Our kids did a good job on defense,” Ragland coach Wes Tidwell said. “Our secondary was able to stop some big run plays and break up some big pass plays, too. I was very proud with how we played defensively.”
The recently struggling Falcons (1-5, 0-4) were not on the same page offensively throughout the matchup. After dropping a total of nine passes (two of which were in the end zone) and having three touchdowns called back due to holding penalties, the Falcons were ultimately unable to convert on many scoring opportunities and suffered their fifth straight loss. It was the first time they had been shut out this season.
“Any time you have touchdowns and other big plays called back from penalties, it will cost you,” said Falcons head coach Mark Sanders, in his first game back from COVID-19 quarantine. “We made some mistakes tonight, but they can be fixed in practice.”
The Purple Devils face the top team in the region next week, undefeated Wadley. Donoho enters its second bye week of the year in which it will be preparing to end their season off on a high note.
Ragland 25, Donoho 0
| Donoho (1-5, 0-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 — | 0 |
| Ragland (5-1, 2-1) | 6 | 19 | 0 | 0 — | 25 |
R — Jordan Turner 40 pass from Owen Schall (PAT failed), 5:30 1Q
R — A’Ron Lee 5 yard rush (Owen Schall kick), 11:49 2Q
R — Jordan Turner 29 pass from Owen Schall 29 (PAT failed), 10:35 2Q
R — Ethan Courtney 42 pass from Owen Schall (PAT failed), 3:17 2Q
| Rag (25) | Don (0) | |
| 12 | 1st D | 8 |
| 19-95 | Rush | 24-123 |
| 8-11-0 | C-A-I | 17-31-1 |
| 174 | Pass | 200 |
| 3-15 | Pens | 960 |
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