FRIDAY RECAP (Week 5): JAG breaks losing streak with win over Julian; Pike Road falls late; Hooper wins second straight

COMBINED REPORTS

JAG 34, P. Julian 27

Quarterback MJ Smith scored twice in the second half and the JAG defense held P. Julian scoreless to earn a come-from-behind victory over the Phoenix on Homecoming Night at Cramton Bowl. The win ended an eight-game losing streak for the program, dating back to last season.

Trailing by five at the half, JAG scored the first of the two second-half touchdowns a 4-yard run by Smith with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

Smith added a second touchdown with 3:58 left in the game on a 19-yard run.

JAG held Julian out of the end zone in the final three minutes to earn the win, the first for the program since Oct. 11, 2024.

The game got off to a bang with Julian scoring on the second play from scrimmage on Samuel McCall’s 56-yard run. On the ensuing kickoff, Christian Williams raced 75 yards. In each case, the extra point try was missed, leaving the game tied at 6-6.

Following JAG’s kickoff return Julian turned the same trick with Orrion Harvest going 63 yards on a kickoff return for the score. Julian converted the 2-point try to take a 14-6 lead.

The Phoenix added to their lead with Elijah Nowen’s 2-yard run to make it 21-6.

JAG followed with back-to-back scores with Smith passing for 24 yards to Marlo Harris. Later, he ran for 2 yards to give the Jaguars their first lead with 3:41 left in the first half.

Julian took the lead before the break on Earnest Shuford’s 56-yard strike to Harvest with 2:17 left. The Phoenix took a 27-22 lead at the half.

Smith finished with 108 yards passing and 126 yards on the ground to lead the Jaguars (1-4). Shuford had 86 yards passing and 59 yards rushing to lead the Phoenix.

JAG returns to Class 7A, Region 2 action next Friday at Smiths Station. Julian (1-5) plays Rehobeth in a Class 6A, Region 2 game at Cramton Bowl on Friday.

Opelika 24, Pike Road 22

OPELIKA -- Pike Road took a five-point lead at halftime but couldn’t hold off Opelika in the second half as the Bulldogs rallied for a 24-22 win at Bulldog Stadium on Friday night.

Opelika struck first, marching 58 yards and capping the drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass. Pike Road responded immediately, going 75 yards on its opening possession as Braylon Outlaw scored on a 6-yard run.

After a quick three-and-out by Opelika, Pike Road took over at its 41-yard line and needed just two minutes to score again as Outlaw ran 39 yards for a touchdown and a 15-7 lead.

Both teams traded punts before Opelika added a field goal to narrow the gap to 15–10. Following a Pike Road punt, Opelika marched to the end zone for a 17-15 lead.

Jordan Holmes would give the Patriots a late first-half spark, intercepting a pass and returning it 45 yards to the Opelika 5-yard line to set up Outlaw’s third touchdown of the half for a 22-17 halftime lead.

Defense dominated the second half, with the only points coming from Opelika late in the third quarter. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown with 1:11 left to take the lead.

Outlaw finished the night with 98 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries. Quarterback Gunner Gibbs completed 16 of 21 passes for 122 yards.

Defensively, Miles Khatri led the Patriots with 14 tackles, including two for loss. Brycen Purdue added nine tackles.

Pike Road (4-2) returns to region play next week, traveling to Montgomery to play Park Crossing at Cramton Bowl on Thursday. 

Stanhope Elmore 35, Smiths Station 21

MILLBROOK - Dee Barnes scored five times to lead the Mustangs to their third-straight win Friday at 17 Springs.

Barnes finished with 255 yards including runs of 65 and 40 yards.

Stanhope (4-1) travels to Russell County next Friday for a key Class 6A, Region 2 clash.

Autauga Academy 21, Prattville Christian 20

PRATTVILLE - PCA’s missed extra point proved to be the difference in the Generals’ win over the Panthers in non-region action on Friday.

Autauga Academy broke open a tie game with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Lathan Rybarczyk’s 34-yard touchdown pass gave the Generals’ a 21-7 lead late in the third quarter.

PCA fought back with two scores in the final quarter. Blake Bowman scored on a 1-yard run and the Panthers got an interception from Justin Chapman, who returned the pick for 55 yards. But the kick for the extra point was missed, leaving the Panthers short.

Rybarczyk added a rushing touchdown and finished with 55 yards rushing.

Nolan Stewart finished with 138 yards passing on 9 of 21 attempts and a touchdown. Chapman finished with two receptions for 69 yards. Carter Copeland had 10 total tackles and two for a loss for PCA (1-5). Bowman added eight tackles and one for a loss.

Autauga (2-2) travels to Keith next week while PCA goes to Wicksburg.

Hooper Academy 55, Lakeside 22

HOPE HULL - Ayden Newman rushed for three touchdowns as the Colts won their second straight game on Friday at Davis Henry Field.

Quarterback Hunter Bowman  was 6 for 11 passing for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jeremy Griggs- had five  receptions for 150 yards  and two scores.

Grayson White led the Hooper defense with seven tackles while Cooper Cook added an interception. Heyden Chun converted all seven PATs.

Hooper (2-3, 1-2 AA, Region 1) faces Jackson Academy next Friday.