- [Mickey] Offering life insurance, retirement and asset protection, to help protect what matters most.

It's time now for the Class 5A Championship game, between the Ramsay Rams and the Charles Henderson Trojans under the lights tonight, from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

And good evening, everyone, Mickey Shadrix, along with Coach Rick Rhoades, and thanks for tuning in this evening to the 5A Championship game.

And coach, when you look at Class 5A, Ramsay always seems to be in the conversation.

They're here.

Meanwhile Charles Henderson, they had a rough year last year.

I don't think many people expected them or picked them to get to this game, so quite an interesting matchup tonight.

- [Rick] Yeah, it really is, Mickey.

I mean, Cinderella has come to the dance.

And doing the research to get ready for this tournament, and one of the things that I noticed about Charles Henderson, they said, "Expected to compete for a playoff spot."

Well, they've definitely done that.

- Let's take a look at impact players for tonight's 5A Championship matchup.

- [Rick] Well, first of all for Ramsay, Ashton Ashford, they're the very, very good junior running back.

203 yards in the semifinals last week.

You see his numbers for the season.

He's an exceptional player.

Jywon Boyd, the wide receiver, really does everything for Charles Henderson.

In the semifinals, he had a rushing TD, a TD reception and a defensive touchdown on an interception.

For the season, you can see he averages 20 yards a catch, 6.9 a rush, he has five interceptions on defense.

- [Mickey] Our impact player is presented by the Coach Safely Foundation: Win without losses.

When we return to Auburn, we will take a look at keys to tonight's 5A state championship game, as we continue live from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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(upbeat big band percussive music) (logo whooshing) (upbeat rock music) - And welcome back to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

It is prime time at the Super 7, and it is getting close to time, kickoff the 5A state championship game between Ramsay and Charles Henderson.

It is now time for us (logo whooshing) to break down the matchup.

Nobody better to do it than Coach Rick Rhoades.

What are our keys to the game?

- [Rick] Well, first of all, for Ramsay, their defense has to contain Boyd, and they better be careful, because Charles Henderson has four receivers this year with touchdown catches over 58 yards.

Second thing they gotta do, they gotta take care of the football, something that has been a little bit of a problem at times for Charles Henderson, that offensive balance.

If they can double cover Boyd again, they've gotta be able to spread the wealth.

That's gonna be a real key.

And that defensive line, which has been very, very much a part of this playoff run, will be tested by a very, very good Ramsay offensive line.

- [Mickey] Well, the table is set and the eagle has landed (logo whooshing) at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

(PA system blaring) We've got the kickoff to the 5A state championship game coming up next, here from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

(energetic rock music) (soft piano music) - [Announcer] You're watching Alabama Public Television, Broaden your horizons.

(soft piano music) (engine revving) (dashboard pings) (vehicle screeches) (vehicle crashes) (dashboard pings) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie, and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee Alabama as my home sweet home.

I have such a pride in this state and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance: Vote.

Register to vote and get your voter ID today.

It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

(soft upbeat music) - [Mickey] And a nice look (energetic rock music) at the crowd in attendance tonight for the 5A state championship game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The captains for both the Ramsay Rams and the Charles Henderson Trojans down at the 50-yard line, getting set for the coin toss, (rock music) as the 5A pre-game festivities continue down on the field.

And this is our final order of business before we get to the kickoff.

(upbeat big band music) It's a chilly night tonight in Auburn.

A little bit of a breeze inside the stadium.

(drum beats and band music) - [Referee] All right, guys.

Hey, congratulations on being chosen to be captain of your team.

That tells us as officials you guys are leaders, okay?

Part of being leader is helping us out with sportsmanship.

Guys, we're gonna have to have it, okay?

Nothing wrong with a hard football play.

Nothing wrong with helping that young man up.

Does everybody agree?

Perfect.

Rams is our visiting team.

They got a choice of a coin toss.

Gentlemen, here's a silver dollar here.

There's tails, and there's heads.

What are you gonna call, young man?

Loud enough for Mr. Bolton can hear it.

- Tails.

- I heard tails.

Guys, I have to drop this, flip it over my head when we flip.

I've got heads.

You've won the toss.

(spectators cheering) Do you know what your coach wants you to do?

- They want to defer.

- Okay, everybody hang tight.

Charles Henderson has won the toss.

They've elected to defer to the second half.

(spectators cheering) This time you want the football, right, young man?

And you guys' coach told me you wanted to defend this jumbotron, is that correct?

- Right, we wanna kick this way.

- You wanna defend the jumbotron?

- You know what?

We wanna defend this.

- You wanna defend that?

- Yes, sir.

- All right, so I want you guys step over here.

And you guys over here.

- I'm sorry.

- [Referee] Rams will be receiving on this side of the field.

All right, everybody's- - [Mickey] And this is welcoming the third member of our broadcast crew tonight, Susan Carruthers, down on the field.

- Hey, guys.

(spectators cheering) Well, has Pat Dye Field seen some action over the past 24 hours or what?

But it is chilly down here.

But of course, that's not affecting these players and these fans.

They are fired up and ready to go.

Listen, I talked to both coaches before the game, and this is what they had to say: Coach Ronnie Jackson of the Ramsay Rams, I asked him, "What do you have to do to win this game?"

And he said, "We have to play Ramsay football."

And I said, "Well, what does that mean?"

He said, "We hang our hats on our defense.

Our defense sets the tone.

If they come out lights out, we're gonna have a great game."

And then Coach Quinn Hambrite of the Charles Henderson Trojans, he said they've gotta execute across the ball and they've just gotta play hard-nosed football.

It's gonna be a great game tonight, guys.

- [Mickey] Thanks a lot, Susan.

Charles Henderson comes in at 12 and one.

The only blemish on their season was a 26, 24 loss to Beauregard, back in September.

Meanwhile, Ramsay comes in at 12 and two.

Their only losses to 6A Parker, 7A Auburn.

Both were region champs.

Charles Henderson out of Region 2, Ramsay out of Region 5.

(energetic rock music) - [Rick] Well, those are really impressive records.

Even the losses are impressive, because they lost to very good football teams.

And there's a lot of firepower in these teams and some big strong youngins up front.

It's gonna be another great football game.

(energetic rock music) (spectators chattering) - [Mickey] And a good look at Nicholas Pearson.

- [Rick] He had a 40-yard field goal last week against Faith Academy.

(energetic rock music) (spectators chattering) Still got some wind tonight, but nothing like last night.

(energetic rock music) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] As we get set for kickoff, it's 46 degrees this evening in Auburn.

It doesn't sound real cold but with a little breeze, it is definitely chilly, as Susan said.

- [Rick] I have no interest in that, Mickey.

I don't know what the temperature is in this booth, which feels to me like it's about 15 degrees.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And it's time now for the Department of Human Resources Kickoff: Changing lives throughout Alabama.

And we are off and away with the 5A state championship game.

This kick sails it into the end zone, so Ramsay will come out first and 10 at their 20.

(percussive big band music) (spectators singing) And Ramsay led by quarterback Keenan Kameron.

If you follow Ramsay football this season, you know they've got a couple of guys they use at this position.

Keenan gets the start tonight, but also Tremell Washington will play some at quarterback.

- [Rick] His numbers are impressive.

He's thrown for 1,744 yards, 17 TDs.

- [Mickey] And the first play of the game.

It's a completed pass out on the edge.

Jalen Jones, the leading receiver for Ramsay, (logo whooshing) making the catch.

And here's a look at the Ramsay starting offense, and coach, this Ramsay offensive team has put up the most points in school history this season.

They can really stretch the field and hurt you in a lot of ways.

- [Rick] They have a lot of speed, a big, strong offensive line.

(logo whooshing) Know we gotta keep an eye on this Tremell Washington.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] Second down, they go to the running game.

(whistle blowing) And this is very close to first down, yardage four, Ashton Ashford.

As we take a look at the Charles Henderson defense, and Coach Hambrite made it clear that his defensive unit is going to have to really contain the edges tonight and also cover the entire field with the speed that Ramsay has on offense.

And here is a first down carry for Ashford.

So three plays, and the Ramsay Rams move the chains.

- [Rick] Pretty good surge by that Ramsay offensive line.

And that matchup, (PA system blaring) offensive line, defensive line is such a key, and Ramsay is winning the early going here.

- [Announcer] 10 yards and first down.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] First and 10.

And the spin up the middle is a nice pickup on first down for Ashford.

- [Rick] Yeah, good, tough running.

That's the second time he's gotten significant yardage after contact.

- [Announcer] (indistinct) back.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Second down and five.

- [Announcer] Gained five yards, second down five.

(whistle blowing) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And the handoff.

This time, (whistle blowing) Ashford is wrapped up behind the line of scrimmage.

- [Announcer] Tackle on 85.

- [Mickey] Tackle for a loss that time for Charles Henderson.

- [Rick] Yeah, nothing going there.

Ran a power play and very well defended.

Got it underneath the block, and then made the tackle on top of that.

So here's our first critical third down.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] Third down and four.

(percussive big band music) Keenan with a little fake.

Over the middle he goes.

(crowd cheering) Pass is complete to Kristian Stinson, and it will be a Ramsay first down at the Charles Henderson 36-yard line.

- [Rick] Yeah, it's a slant route by the slot receiver right there.

Beautifully thrown ball, I mean, right in that front armpit.

That's exactly where you wanna stick that throw.

Great throw.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So good start offensively, as the Rams march this thing from their 20 down to the Charles Henderson 37-yard line.

Screen pass and good yardage after the catch on the opposite side of the field by Jalen Jones.

That is his second grab of the game, and it'll make it second down and seven.

- [Rick] Really good hustling play by Qua Scott, number zero for the Trojans.

I thought he was gonna make the play for no gain, but again, good, tough running after contact.

Picked up a couple.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Second down and seven football spotted at the Charles Henderson 33-yard line.

(spectators cheering) Keenan sets it back in motion.

Looks, throws it over the middle.

Pass is complete.

That's Stinson again, his second grab of the game.

And as happened the first time he caught the football, it results in a Ramsay first down inside the 20.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] Yeah, ran the slant route again.

You can see the first window is closed.

Very patient right there.

Gets to that second window between the two linebackers.

Good concentration and patience by both the receiver and the quarterback.

- [Mickey] Here's the handoff to Ashford.

Nice hole.

He is upended by Charles Henderson's Mario Davenport, but it is another good running play on first down, it'll make it second and two.

- [Rick] And you can see that big strong offensive line again makes contact.

(whistle blowing) - [Mickey] A whistle before the snap, as Ramsay has invaded the Alabama Votes Red Zone, presented by the Alabama Secretary of State.

Check the penalty flag.

(spectators cheering) - [Referee] Illegal substitution on the defense.

Five yard penalty, half the distance to the goal.

- [Rick] I don't know whether they played with 12- - [Referee] Replay second down.

- [Rick] ...on that play or somebody got off the field late.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So the penalty should result in a first and goal.

And it will, just outside the five-yard line.

- [Referee] (indistinct).

Ashford right up the middle.

Boy, he has hit behind the line of scrimmage.

That was great penetration that time by Charles Henderson's Zarion Mack.

(players chattering) (logo whooshing) - [Rick] And Mack is a little bit different type of nose guard.

Not the man mountain, but you see the quickness right there.

Gets off that block by the center, wraps around and makes a nice play.

Two yards deep in the back.

That's the first time we've seen some penetration by that Trojan defensive front.

- [Mickey] Giving 'em a half yard of forward progress.

Second down and goal from the five, Ashford.

Flag comes in and Ashford dives down inside the three, but again, laundry on the field, we'll have to check this penalty.

[Commentator] (indistinct).

- [Rick] As late as the flag was thrown, I'm thinking maybe it's an offensive penalty and maybe a procedure.

(crowd cheering) - [Referee] Five men in the backfield.

- [Rick] Yep.

- [Referee] Against the offense.

Five yard penalty.

- [Spectator] Boom.

Replay second down.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] That's a big penalty.

(logo whooshing) One, two, three, four, five.

(whistle blowing) That's definitely five.

Might go in Canada, (logo whooshing) but not here.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And it results in the five yard penalty.

And you hate to see penalties when you get that close to the goal line.

- [Rick] Well, in the red zone right here, I mean, you got a second goal from the five and you're backed up.

Supposed to be backed up.

Five ain't backed up yet.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And they move it back another yard.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] (scoffs) Okay, now I think we got it straight.

(whistle blowing) - [Mickey] So after that, it's second goal from the ten.

(spectators cheering) Ashford gets the call.

Huge opening over left tackle.

Ashford's in (spectators cheering) for the Department of Human Resources touchdown: Changing lives throughout Alabama.

And so Ramsay takes the opening kickoff.

They march 80 yards, and Ashton Ashford scores the first points in the 5A state championship game.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Well, I almost said that second and 10 is a lot different than second and five, but as we're gonna see in the replay after this PAT, (whistle blowing) they made it look easy.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Nice job of blocking by that offensive line for Ramsay.

Here's William Murray, the junior, on to attempt the extra point, straight on kicker, out of a hole from Tremell Washington.

And the kick just does creep over the cross bar.

And Murray is very happy about that.

7, nothing our score here as we get a look at the touchdown.

- [Rick] You can see, I mean, the cavern to run through.

He's clean into the secondary and then Ashford does a great job, once he gets into secondary, of warding off that tackle from the safety.

Look at him seal it down and lead through.

Boy, that's really nice.

(classical band music) - [Mickey] This Ramsay team, coach, they come in very balanced.

They average 369 yards of total offensive gain, 195 of that through the air, (logo whooshing) 174 running the ball, and a big part of that is that young man, Number 2, Ashton Ashford.

There you see the ALDOT scoring recap.

As we mentioned, they go 80 yards, taking the games opening kickoff, and four and a half minutes later, they're into the end zone.

- [Rick] Well, a very methodical drive.

I mean, 11 plays, 80 yards.

That's really the way you wanna start a football game, and as we've seen in the other games, (percussive big band music) let's see if this holds true, the team that had that kind of drive to start the game ended up winning the football game.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] And here is William Murray, teed up, ready to kick it away, standing back deep is Terence Thomas.

For Charles Henderson, the Department of Human Resources kickoff will be filled in from the 16-yard line by Thomas.

And Thomas starts out across the 30 and stopped at about the 36.

And that is where the Trojans will set up shop, first and 10, with their first look on offense, as they are led out by quarterback Parker Adams, who has had a fantastic season for the Trojans.

He's thrown for over 2,400 yards, 26 touchdowns this year.

A 5'11", 170-pound junior.

- [Announcer] First down (indistinct).

- [Rick] Has three rushing TDs to go along with that.

(drum beats) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So first and 10 Ramsay's showing blitz right away and they back out of theirs.

(drum beats) (spectators cheering) Now, they come after him.

Pass is downfield by Adams, and it's caught in stride by Jywon Boyd and Boyd is in for the touchdown.

(spectators cheering) Just like that.

- [Rick] Well, that didn't take long.

(spectators cheering and applauding) We said Boyd was one of those kinda guys that could beat you in a lot of different ways.

That's a straight fly route.

Good pressure by Ramsay, but Adams stood in there and threw a strike.

- [Announcer] Touchdown Charles Henderson.

(spectators cheering) (percussive big band music) - [Mickey] Well, Jywon Boyd.

- [Rick] Pretty boring football game, huh?

(Rick and Mickey laughing) - [Mickey] He is a big time playmaker.

- [Rick] These kids can play.

- [Mickey] 21st touchdown of the season for Mr. Boyd.

(classical big band music) Quite a start here to the 5A state championship game.

(classical big band music) Pearson's extra point is good.

The Electric Co-ops of Alabama, presenting our extra point in field goals, and now we gotta flag.

Think it's gonna be against Ramsay though.

- [Rick] We gotta stop into the play.

- [Referee] Prior to the snap, encroachment.

- [Rick] This is a beautifully run route.

You see how Boyd stacks the defender, gets right on top of him, where the defender cannot adjust.

We have a penalty.

And I think it's gonna be the... No, I think it was a dead ball foul, so the kick is gonna have to be redone.

(spectators indistinctly chattering) Pretty good throw by that young man too.

(whistle blowing) (logo whooshing) - [Mickey] So we will rekick, as the penalty was against Ramsay.

Good snap.

And a perfect kick there (spectators cheering) from Nicholas Pearson.

- [Mickey] Ties the game 7-7.

One-placed scoring drive (chuckles), is Parker Adams and Jywon Boyd.

They have been quite a one-two punch this entire season.

(spectators cheering) (spectators applauding) And they show up early here on the first play from scrimmage.

And there you see your one-play scoring drive, presented by ALDOT.

- [Rick] Yeah, one play, 64 yards, that about sums that up.

I tell you, the route really was beautiful.

They gave it a little inside move to set up the corner, and then busted right through the outside shoulder, stacked, got right on top of that receiver, and a beautifully thrown ball by Adams as well.

And we got us a... (percussive big band music) Do we have us a football game or a track meet?

I don't know, we'll see.

(spectators cheering) (spectators applauding) Fun way to start it though.

(classical big band music) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And it looked as though Boyd was in single coverage over there with the Ramsay defensive back.

- [Rick] May not see that again for a while.

- [Mickey] I wonder about that, for sure.

- [Rick] Yeah, I really thought they were doubling.

They probably will.

We'll see how Ramsay will respond now.

[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen (indistinct).

- [Mickey] So Pearson has it teed up, as we get set for the kickoff.

(spectators cheering) (PA system blaring) Knuckle ball that will hit at the 12-yard line, and take a bounce right into- - [Rick] He's gotta a 0.

- [Mickey] ...the arms of James Jones.

Sorry, correction, this is Jalen Jones and he's across midfield, (spectators cheering) and a great return there for Jalen Jones.

(spectators cheering) (drum beats) - [Rick] Boy, you can see that open up right down the middle.

It's the really nice job of the kickoff return unit opening up that chasm in the middle.

It's right to the middle left of your screen, I think, is where it'll be.

Right there.

See the kick in and kick out and the lead through.

Shoot, it looked almost like a play from scrimmage.

Really just well done.

- [Mickey] First down at the 30-yard line.

(logo whooshing) Ramsay offense comes back out on the field.

- [Commentator] Thank God we only got one TV time out.

(spectators chattering) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] A little (whistle blowing) mix-up between quarterback and running back, and Charles Henderson takes advantage, as Zion Grady, one of the top defenders on this Charles Henderson defense, with the tackle for loss.

- [Rick] Well, he's just a sophomore now, 6'4", 225.

He's gonna trail the puller right there.

Nobody blocked back on him.

And that's a good look at a guy that has 36 tackles for loss for the year and 22 sacks.

Just a sophomore.

- [Mickey] Second and 15.

(spectators cheering and chattering) They go up top, and it is incomplete.

(whistle blowing) Pass was intended for Tremell Washington.

First time they have targeted him tonight, but he was very welcoming.

- [Rick] Well, a little difference in those two fade routes.

The one that Charles Henderson ran and the one that Ramsay just ran.

You notice how the receiver was kinda pushed to the sideline, was not able to stack on top of that defender, and the result is one was a touchdown, and one was an incompletion.

(spectators cheering) (band drum beats) - [Mickey] So third down and 15.

(spectators cheering) (band drum beats) We go to the running game.

Here's Ashford, nice opening.

(whistle blowing) And he is spun to the turf at the 26-yard line by Charles Henderson's Damien Hart.

And that's gonna setup a fourth down and six.

- [Rick] It's about the third time they've run to that left side and really have run through gaping holes.

I don't know whether there's an alignment in the Charles Henderson front that they're taking advantage of.

Didn't look like there was an edge defender to that side.

We'll keep an eye on that as we look at this big fourth down.

- [Mickey] Bradley Stoves and Anthony Miles, the left guard and left tackle, doing a good job here early in this one.

Fourth down and six.

(spectators cheering) Over the middle they go.

Incomplete!

(whistle blowing) It looked like they had a shot at the completion there as Jalen Jones was the intended receiver, but it's incomplete.

- You had Jones coming across on a post route, very tight window.

- [Mickey] Take a break and return to Jordan-Hare Stadium in just a moment.

(energetic rock music) - [Announcer] What is a protector?

Is it always a hero?

Bigger than life?

- [Man] (indistinct).

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At Protective, it's at the heart of who we are.

For more than a century, millions have relied on us to make retirement more about wishes than worry, and life insurance more about legacy than loss.

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(upbeat harp music) (upbeat rock music) ♪ Oh yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ ♪ Dah, dah, da, da, daa, da, da ♪ ♪ Dah, dah, da, da, daa, de, da ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ (upbeat rock music) ♪ Oh yeah ♪ (tranquil classical music) (airplane engine roaring) - [Female Announcer] You can almost feel the shock waves from anti-aircraft fire, and hear the roar of a P-51 Mustang.

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But in the end, their skills, not their skin color, validated their legendary status.

(inspiring classical music) This is Alabama, (airplane engine roaring) and when you're here, you can take it all in.

(inspiring classical music) - Be a great coach.

(inspiring classical music) We need you.

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- Coach safely.

- (blows whistle) It's the mission.

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Win without losses.

(upbeat hip hop music) ♪ Turn down for what ♪ (upbeat hip hop music) - [Mickey] And welcome back inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

There you see our score in the 5A state championship game, as we're under six minutes to play in the first quarter, tied at seven.

A Ramsay drive a moment ago, ended on a fourth down incomplete pass in the end zone, so Charles Henderson will come back out onto the field.

First and 10, they have ran one play.

And it was a 64-yard touchdown pass.

- [Rick] An average of 64 yards a play is, I think, pretty good.

(laughs) - [Mickey] You'd take that as a coach any day.

- I think so.

- [Mickey] Did you ever have an offense that averaged 64 yards- - [Rick] No, and neither has anybody else, so.

(Mickey laughing) (crowd chattering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] First and 10 for the Trojans.

- [Rick] They still got Boyd at the bottom of the screen, and his safety has moved over a little bit, but it's still one-on-one bump and run coverage.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] And here's a running play for Charles Henderson.

(whistle blowing) And pounding it out across the 30-yard line is Zachary Coleman, the six-foot, 215-pound running back, who came into this game with 785 yards rushing on the season.

- [Rick] Yeah, here's a little dynamic on this.

At the snap, the safety to the side that run a one-two bailed to double cover Boyd, Number 2.

That's the safety that, normally, would be fitting up on that run, and instead of being second and four, it might be second and seven.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] Second down and five.

Flag comes in before the snap, and looks like we're gonna have a penalty against the Trojan offense.

- [Spectator] Hey, hey, hey, stop there.

- [Referee] Prior to the snap, snap infraction.

On the offense, five yard penalty, replay second down.

- [Mickey] Well, they give up the five yards they gained on first down, second and 10.

(percussive big band music) - [Rick] Ah, those unforced errors.

And coaches' broadcasters.

(Mickey chuckling) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] Good point.

(laughs) - Well, it's a point.

- Second down and 10.

Here's the handoff.

(whistle blowing) (spectators cheering) And on the carry that time was Boyd, or correction, Antonio Frazier, gain of one, so gonna setup third down and nine.

- [Rick] Real good pursuit in closing by QB Quentin Reese.

(percussive big band music) He averages 10 and a half tackles a game, 21 tackles for loss.

He's got five sacks on the year and three interceptions.

So he is a force in that.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] It's a third down and nine.

(percussive big band music) Adams, again, making sure everybody's got the play call a little shift, and here goes the wildcat.

This is Boyd.

(spectators cheering) And boy, you see the team speed there of Ramsay as is it looked like that play might go for peak yardage, but coming up to make the stop was Zedrick Powell.

- [Rick] Really nice.

(percussive big band music) Really nice open field tackle by Powell.

It looked like this play was going to go, as they shift into a wildcat formation, quarterback draw right there.

Looked like he was gonna run out of the back of the stadium, but you're gonna see a big hit right there by the safety to that side.

Very nice open field (logo whooshing) by Powell.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And that makes it fourth and three and brings out the punting unit for the Trojans.

(PA system blaring) (spectators cheering) And the kick is a good one, high.

- [Spectator] Smoke down.

- [Mickey] And another flag comes in.

This will roll inside the 20, inside the 15, but we do have more laundry here at Pat Dye Field.

- [Rick] And we had a collision and kind of a wrestling match here at about the 40-yard line.

I don't know whether this is gonna be holding or a personal foul.

(spectators chattering) It was thrown pretty aggressively.

A lot of times, that's a...

If you get an overhand throw and it's a line drive, a lot of times, that's a personal foul.

I think you're gonna see it at the bottom of the screen, kinda in the left right there.

It's kind of a take down.

That it might be a hold.

(spectators chattering) (logo whooshing) - [Mickey] And the officials still sorting it out.

And he's gonna back the Rams up.

(spectators chattering) Clearly a hold on the return blocker for Ramsay.

(spectators cheering) And this is a costly penalty.

- [Rick] All that hidden yardage in the kicking game, and that includes the penalties right here, is so important in a football game.

- [Spectator] Sir, you gonna (indistinct).

- [Spectator] Yeah.

- [Spectator] You gonna (indistinct) sir.

- [Rick] One of the more interesting statistics in this game, if you catch every kick and eliminate penalties, it's like having a 1000-yard rusher on your football team.

- During the run, holding on the receiving team, half the distance to the goal, first down.

- [Mickey] So Ramsay would start backed up inside their 10-yard line on this drive, their third possession of the first quarter.

- [Announcer] (indistinct) seven-yard line.

- [Mickey] Keenan with a look to the sideline.

(spectators cheering) Fakes, throws, and it is incomplete.

(whistle blowing) Jalen Jones, the intended receiver pass a bit too behind him.

- [Rick] Yeah, it looked like that one end of the combination thought it was gonna be a back shoulder throw, and the other end of the combination, Jalen Jones, thought it was gonna be a deeper route.

I'm sure that he and Keenan will get on the same page.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] Second down for Ramsay.

Keenan lobs it up down the near sideline.

It is incomplete.

(spectators cheering) It was intended for Jones.

Good coverage there by Saquon Fagg.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] Well, this is really nice in-phase coverage, it's right on the inside hip, (percussive big band music) where he wants to be, and goes up to high point that ball.

Nice defensive coverage right there by that young man.

(logo whooshing) (percussive big band music) - [Mickey] So third and 10.

And here's the handoff to Ashford.

What hard running by Ashford, (whistle blowing) as he runs over a Trojan defender at the 10-yard line, Mario Davenport.

- [Announcer] (indistinct).

- [Mickey] Roughed into that collision.

It'll still be fourth down.

- [Rick] And I'll tell you, run over is the right term.

I mean, he flattened him.

Davenport's about 6'4", and the running back was about 5'9" and the low pads are usually winning.

And that time, he got underneath the big guy, and got it done.

Tough running by Ashford but not enough for a first down.

- [Mickey] And here's Murray, punting from his own goal line.

A very short kick, (spectators cheering) kind of an end over end kick, and it will be down at the 25-yard line.

So coach, you talked about the hidden yardage in special teams, and that penalty against Ramsay is still being felt here in field position.

- [Rick] You really do and penalties in the kicking game are almost always devastating.

- [Announcer] Charles Henderson (indistinct).

- [Rick] Either you lose a huge gain or you lose field position, or you lose both.

And they're just not worth it, and you're better off to let the guy go by than to commit the foul.

- [Mickey] So what about this field position for the Trojans?

First down at the Ramsay 26.

- [Rick] Well, obviously great field position.

The key is can they take advantage of this?

- [Mickey] And here is the handoff to Coleman.

(whistle blowing) Coleman is cut down just short of the 22-yard lines.

It'll give him four yards on the first-down carry.

Second down and six.

- Tackle made by Number 5- - [Rick] And that's what's important in this red zone area, not quite to the red zone yet, but close enough.

You want to stay ahead of those sticks by down and distance, and four yards on first down is just what you're looking for.

- [Mickey] As we go under two minutes to play in the first quarter.

(players chattering) (spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) And a flag before the snap.

Racking up the penalties here in the first quarter.

- [Rick] Yeah, this must be another procedure, I would think, or offside.

- Sideline warning- - [Rick] Or a sideline warning.

- On the defense.

Their first.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) - And of course, this first sideline warning comes with no penalty yardage.

Second down at six.

(spectators cheering and applauding) And turning the corner is Coleman, and the football came loose at the end of the play, but Coleman's on it, so it'll be a first down for the Trojans.

(announcer chattering) (percussive big band music) - [Rick] And this one's coming back as well.

- [Mickey] See the running back turn the corner like that, you sometimes see holding on the edge.

- [Rick] Looked like he was not gonna be able to get around that corner, but he was able to matriculate it and get it and get the ball downhill for a nice gain.

But this is gonna come back.

(spectators cheering) - Way back.

- During the run, holding, on the offense.

10-yard penalty, (spectators cheering) replay second down.

- [Rick] That's a big penalty.

(spectaculars chattering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] Takes away a first down, makes it second down and 18 back at the 34.

- [Rick] And he went from a great down and distance situation and a great field position to something that's pretty tough to get.

- [Mickey] And here's the handoff to Coleman, right up the middle.

(whistle blowing) And he runs into Ramsay's Demarcus Wynn.

So a short gain's gonna make it third down and long now for Charles Henderson.

- [Rick] Little bit surprised that they haven't gone back deep to Boyd, with such ease on that first score.

I know he is getting double covered right now and it kind of gets into play, what talked about earlier.

If they're going to put two men on one out here, it's gonna leave some vacancies for some other players.

Let's see if they can take advantage of that.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] They need to take it down to about the 16-yard line for a first down.

Coleman, huge hole up the middle!

He's upended at the 20, (whistle blowing) and he's gonna be just shy of the first down, about two yards shy.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] That's a good looking draw play, sold very well by the quarterback.

Offensive line does a nice job of pushing the defender's upfield, and a good leap block inside.

Thought for a minute it was gonna pop all the way into the end zone, but nice recovery and a nice open field tackle by another safety in the Ramsay defense.

- [Mickey] It'll set up fourth and three, and Charles Henderson will have the between-quarter timeout to discuss their options here.

(logo whooshing) We're through one quarter in the 5A state championship game from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, tied at seven.

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(upbeat jazz music) (energetic rock music) - [Rick] Back at Jordan-Hare stadium in Auburn, Super 7, here on Alabama Public Television.

What a first quarter it was in the 5A state championship game.

(spectators cheering) There you see Ashton Ashford getting the scoring started with the short touchdown, running in the first play from scrimmage.

For Charles Henderson, Parker Adams connected with Jywon Boyd on the 64-yard touchdown.

And we are tied at seven (logo whooshing) as we begin the second quarter.

I'm also joined by a couple coaches, Rick Rhoades, and now, Jack Crowe has joined us.

I feel like I better get on my game with these two guys in the booth with me.

And Coach Crowe, thanks for stopping in- - Sure.

- Of course- - Honored.

- We had the opportunity to speak with you earlier this morning in the 3A state championship game.

You're the founder (whistle blowing) and chairman of Coach Safely Foundation, so we wanted to chat with you about that here in the second quarter, and also just reminisce a little bit with you as well, as Charles Henderson goes for the field goal attempt (whistle blowing) to begin the second quarter.

And it is good.

So the Trojans take their first lead of the game, as the field goal is good by Nicholas Pearson, so it's now 10-7. coach, let's start off with... Just tell us a little bit about the Coach Safely Foundation and what your mission is.

- [Jack] Mission is preserve sports as a safe experience, and I think particularly the game of football, where parents can feel that injuries are being recognized and prevented (percussive big band music) to the highest level they can.

And we're targeting the 14 & under volunteer coaches that don't have the training that Alabama High School and all high school coaches have, and they don't have athletic trainers.

So pretty much the responsibility of the wellbeing, they're on their own out there.

And we're trying to make sure they have the knowledge.

At coachsafely.org, any coach can go take the course, be certified.

I'll promise you the people are paying the insurance and the properties you're using would feel like it's a responsible behavior.

- [Mickey] Well, I know it's really important to you to protect the players who participate in this sport and also to protect the future of the sport with future participation.

- [Jack] Absolutely.

Football's declining... (whistle blowing) In youth sports, football's declining 8% a year.

And it's 'cause parents have seen too much of the movie concussions.

And I remember last time I was in this stadium, it was LSU and Auburn, and a player laid on the ground out there on the opening kickoff, probably for 30 minutes.

And I think, for every minute laid on the ground, there was probably 10, 20, I'm guessing, parents, mommas, grandmommas, that said, "I'm not gonna let my son play that game.

I'm not gonna let my grand..." And we gotta do something to offset.

There are risks, but there are risks in anything in sports.

And so we just gotta work to mitigate the risk.

It's safer now than it's ever been.

Would you not...

I mean, we've changed- - [Rick] Absolutely, yeah.

- [Jack] We've changed the game for the better, it's safer than it's ever been, but the safest thing is for a coach to have the ability to recognize and prevent injuries.

And one hour, no charge, state pays for it...

This whole thing is a funded initiative by contributors in the state of Alabama.

So we need to do it.

All sports, all injuries.

- [Rick] Yeah.

It's so important to have qualified, (spectators cheering) trained people... As the pooch kick, worked to perfection.

(whistle blowing) - [Jack] Wow!

- [Mickey] I don't know if I've ever seen it work.

- I don't ever- - Pure perfection like that.

- Have a four hit- (laughs) (Mickey and Rick laughing) - [Rick] Now, it's gonna be interesting now as to whether or not there was an eligible receiver in the area that has to have an opportunity to catch that, so, we'll see.

- [Jack] Wow!

(spectators cheering) (spectators applauding) Oh, interference.

(spectators booing) - [Mickey] (chuckles) And the boo birds out here for Charles Henderson.

- [Rick] Now, you see the perplexed look on the sideline, because you say, "Well, on an onside kick, you see collisions all the time, but the onside kick hits the ground."

- [Jack] Yeah.

- [Rick] And that one was in the air, and had not been on the ground.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] Let's take another look at...

This was a rekick, and here we go.

- [Rick] Yeah, it's really... Usually you see a little spot, but you can see right there that... Well, that's an interesting call.

- [Jack] It is an interesting call.

- [Rick] Not saying it's a bad call now, coach.

I don't wanna give any false impressions here, but interesting call.

(spectators booing) And that's gonna set up Ramsay with the football on what could have been a turnover and with excellent field position.

- [Jack] Wow.

(spectators booing) I'd still be asking questions.

I think you understand this, I don't.

- [Rick] Well, yeah, I'd be asking questions.

They're not gonna do any good.

(Jack laughing) They're not gonna change their mind, but I'd be asking them, that's all.

- Yeah.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] So Ramsay will start this drive from inside Charles Henderson territory, first down at the 46.

Here is Ashford.

And Ashford with a nice pickup on first down, a gain of six to the 40-yard line.

- [Rick] Yeah, and no edge defender again.

One of the things, defensive principles, you wanna have edge defenders to turn stuff back in and to that left side, Charles Henderson has been very soft out there.

- [Jack] You got a outside shoulder responsibility on the short edge.

- Ashford, not much that time.

(whistle blowing) - [Jack] But you also got a coach telling you not to let that guy get up on that linebacker.

- That's exactly right.

- [Jack] So it's sorta like you got two jobs, and they don't exactly fit with each other.

- [Rick] Right.

That doesn't make a difference, son, make the tackle, that's... Good penetration that time by the Charles Henderson front.

- [Mickey] Third down and three.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) Here's Ashford- - [Jack] Wow!

- [Mickey] Got the first down and more inside the 30.

He'll be wrapped up from behind by Mario Davenport, but the Rams move the chains, nice gain on third down.

- [Rick] Yeah, Charles Henderson slanted their front that time and they... (logo whooshing) And you're gonna see right here.

Watch the slant to the right of the screen, and boy, I'll tell you what?

Ramsay picked it up- And great vision right there by Ashford to pick up that big first down.

- [Mickey] We go right back to Ashford on the first-down carry.

Runs into a blue wall there.

First man there, Jalen Jones, on the tackle for Charles Henderson, along with help.

It's still a good gain.

Second down and... (percussive big band music) Second down, it's five.

Here's Ashford again.

He's been a workhorse in this first half.

- [Rick] Nice pass.

- [Mickey] And he's gonna be inside the 15 for another first down.

- [Jack] Tell you what, now, that's some good offensive linemen.

I live in Ramsay district.

- [Rick] Well, I wondered why you had on a blue sweatshirt inside.

- [Jack] Yeah, I'm a Ramsay Ram now.

And so I see the lights on when they get there and have those early morning workouts.

This bunch works at it now.

- [Mickey] Number 2 gets the call again, inside the five, down to the two, is Ashford.

He's already up to 83 yards rushing here in this first half.

- [Rick] Yeah, he's really had a great first half.

Two great runs right there.

But the one before this, he kinda stretched it out and cut it right back inside, on this run right here, he bounced it outside.

Just great timing and vision on his part.

- [Mickey] And tempo.

Tempo, here is Ramsay.

Will punch it in here.

- (gasps) Oh!

- [Rick] Right up the shoot and guess who?

- [Jack] Yeah.

(spectators cheering) (spectators applauding) - [Mickey] Second rushing touchdown of the game for Number 2, Ashton Ashford.

(spectators cheering) (percussive big band music) - [Rick] To answer that field goal, they went right after the Charles Henderson defense- - [Jack] Sure did.

- Rick] With great success.

- [Jack] Downhill.

(spectators cheering) (percussive big band music) - [Rick] Yeah, Ashford's having a night.

He's got 94 yards already.

He had 203 yards last week in the semifinals.

He's on his way to matching that.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] So Ramsay with the answer, as they retake the lead and the Electric Co-Ops of Alabama extra point.

Coming here from William Murray.

(percussive big band music) You don't see many straight on kickers anymore.

Murray has his extra point locked.

(spectators cheering) - Well, that first one just kinda scooted over and didn't have a lot of height on it, and that one had even less.

- [Mickey] Zarion Mack getting his hands on him.

(spectators cheering and chattering) Ashton Ashford having a big first half here for the Ramsay Rams.

A look at some of his highlights tonight.

(percussive big band music) All on the previous scoring drive.

Here is Ashford.

- [Rick] The workhorse.

They just went to him time after time and then they punch it in here for the touchdown.

- [Jack] That's some really good offensive line blocking (logo whooshing) right there.

Really good offensive line blocking.

- [Rick] Yeah, they went right after the Charles Henderson defense, and pretty nifty move movement by that young man too.

- [Jack] Yeah.

- [Mickey] And the scoring drive, presented by ALDOT, seven plays, 46 yards, just two minutes of time off the clock.

And just like that, Ramsay retakes the lead, 13-10 has been a very competitive first half here in the 5A state championship game.

coach, as we get a look at the blocked extra point, good penetration once again there by Zarion Mack.

Talk about what's some of the most fulfilling parts of your work with the Coach Safely Foundation 'cause I know you've been at this for several years.

- [Jack] Well, we're highly involved with the Park and Recreation Association, the Alabama Park and Recreation's Executive Director, Natalie Norman.

We work constantly to make sure we use their network.

They got 95 park and recreation agencies across the state, and that's our primary partner in this.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] That is (indistinct).

- [Jack] We've gotten into the larger cities.

I mean, we're there as a strong park and recreation program, we're in those cities.

We're working now to reach into the smaller cities and Alabama's a state of small cities, and you just have to go about it a little differently.

And we're using our relationship with school systems and with municipalities to really get compliance with the law, so it'll reach everywhere.

- [Mickey] All right, so Charles Henderson will take over first and 10 at the 35. coach, we're gonna keep you here.

- [Jack] Yeah, I'm watching the game.

And I got a defensive coach here, between he and I.

You call yourself a defensive coach?

- [Rick] I'm not sure what I am these days, coach, but sure I'll be that tonight, (Jack laughing) that's good.

- [Jack] Yeah, that was the way I remember it.

(Rick laughing) And I'm not sure what I remember anymore.

(Rick and Jack laughing) - [Mickey] We've got a timeout on the field by Ramsay.

But anyway, we've got you here for about three more minutes or so, but coach, I gotta reminisce with you a bit.

People who follow college football know the name Jack Crowe, and you've coached at the highest level in this game, and I have to ask you, coming back in this stadium tonight, Jordan-Hare Stadium, where you spent some very good years as the offensive coordinator for Auburn, legendary coach Pat Dye.

Talk about some of the memories that you feel when you come back in this place.

- [Jack] Well, number one, in four years, I think we lost three games in this stadium.

That's a pretty good memory.

There were cheers and boos.

In fact, we never got any boos.

But of course, I had a chance to coach Bo Jackson.

And it started out, I remember we played Lake Forest.

We didn't know what Bo could do.

I mean, he came here 'cause Alabama promised him he'd play line...

I mean, told him he'd play linebacker.

They weren't gonna let him play linebacker.

I think they regretted that decision.

Friends with game.

- [Rick] You think so, Coach?

(laughs) - [Jack] Yeah.

But I think as we played along, you're starting to go, "Ooh, ah."

And it really threw me off balance.

In fact, I'd go to clinics and people wanna see the plays we run and I'd always draw up the Wishbone, and the circle at the left halfback would be three times as big a circle as the other circles, (Rick laughing) 'cause I'm saying, "I'm telling ya, I'm not sure this will work if you don't have one of these."

(laughs) - Prior to the snap, force stop on the offense.

- [Jack] And it just became... - Five-yard penalty.

- [Jack] And it felt as though I was part of a myth.

And it's hard to coach a player when there's a myth involved of what he could do, when he was gonna do it, and it got to be really tough on me.

It almost made us not friends, but I'm glad to say I've been to his house and visited with his... We're friends.

(spectators cheering) It was a challenge.

He was the freakiest athlete.

I think anybody's who's ever been around him, the closer you got to him, the more freaky you knew he was, because he would do things playing around that you'd walk off the field saying, "Did he really do that?"

(Rick and Jack laughing) I mean, he was a freak and a great person.

- [Mickey] Second down at 12 coming up.

What was it like to work with legendary coach Pat Dye?

- [Jack] Oh, I loved him.

I mean, I don't know what our relation... People remember him chewing me out all the time, but I tell you what?

We had a brotherhood.

I mean, really.

And I wasn't really sure what it was until I left.

And he'd read when we did something where I was coaching at Arkansas somewhere, and he'd call me up and chew me out again.

"Why'd you do that, Jack?"

(Rick and Mickey laughing) And he'd stick his finger in my chest.

I'm the Head Coach at Arkansas.

We were in SEC meeting.

He stuck his finger in my chest... "Why'd you say that?"

(Rick and Mickey laughing) Like I was his little brother and he had programmed me a certain way, and if I didn't do what he expected me to do he's gonna chew my #*#*#*, excuse my French.

I mean, so it was a different kind relationship.

- [Rick] I think that's a pretty accurate statement, actually.

(Mickey and Jack laughing) - [Rick] Can I throw one thing in but- - [Mickey] You sure can.

Especially after that, take it away, Rick.

(Jack laughing) - [Rick] One thing about Coach Dye.

When I was at Troy, we were in the playoffs, and it poured down rain and we had no place to practice.

And I called Coach Dye, and long story short, (spectators cheering) two hours later, we're on a bus and on our way to Auburn, Alabama, we're practicing in the indoor facility.

- [Jack] Yeah, absolutely.

- [Rick] And it saved us.

And I mean, he could not have been been nicer, and really more gallant helping us to prepare.

- [Jack] Oh, I'm telling you, I love the man.

He's classy.

I mean, if anybody thinks it was ever really any ill will between he and I, they need to forget it.

- [Announcer] First down.

- [Jack] It's like brothers fighting, is about what it was.

- [Mickey] Charles Henderson picking up the first down out near midfield.

So the Trojan's trying to answer the score from Ramsay.

Adams with a little pass out to Carson.

That is his first catch of the game, and he gets a good yardage after the catch to the 43.

- [Rick] Mickey, I noticed you haven't asked me about my favorite memories of being here at Jordan-Hare?

(Mickey and Jack laughing) - [Mickey] You and I-will be together.

- [Rick] And don't bother.

(Mickey and Rick laughing) - [Mickey] You and I have more time together.

(Mickey, Jack and Rick laughing) Coach Crowe's outta here at about (indistinct).

- [Jack] Y'all can cover it.

(Mickey laughing) Let me say this, Mickey.

The people that are doing these games, I'm not sure I'm worthy to be here standing with y'all, but y'all are doing a great job, by the way.

- [Rick] Appreciate that.

coach, it's good having you here.

- coach, I'm telling you, man, you know the game as good as any coach knows the game.

- [Rick] That's very nice you to say.

- And you were the guy that knows how to do his part too.

This is good work.

- [Rick] Well, we have a lot of fun together.

And of course, calling these games and watching these young men compete as hard as they do is pretty doggone special.

- [Jack] Yeah, that's special.

- [Mickey] Coach Crowe, what's your thoughts on the evolution of what is now the Super 7 state championships?

The rotation from the three different venues in the state of Alabama?

(percussive big band music) - [Jack] I think it's good for people to be on this campus and be on Tuscaloosa's campus, but I think it's really probably better suited for Birmingham, if you wanna know the truth, (percussive big band music) because it allows more people to come to a centralized location.

It's hard to get around a university campus.

And I may be showing my Birmingham prejudice, but I think it's more like a bowl game when you go there, it's hard to create that bowl excitement across the college campus, like when you pull up here.

I'm sure Auburn and Birmingham...

In fact, I know the mayor, and I'm sure he is gonna chew me out for that.

You ask me, I got one problem.

You ask me, you're gonna get it.

That I got from Pat Dye.

(Jack and Mickey laughing) - [Rick] Well, I do think though to those young men on the field right here- - [Jack] Oh, yeah, it means a lot to 'em.

- [Rick] Getting the chance to play at either one of those two stadiums is a lifetime experience.

- [Jack] Yeah, I believe that too.

- [Mickey] Parker Adams is gonna be...

I think he's got the first down on second down, as Jordans, the official, comes in.

I think they're gonna spot him with enough yardage at the 20.

- Rick] I think he's gonna have it by about eight inches.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) Wow, they've come right back and answered.

I mean they... Ramsay stuck it right down their throat and they've marched it straight down the field.

Let's see if they can retake this lead.

- [Announcer] Player made an offload- - [Mickey] And it will be a first down just inside the 29, as Coach Charles Hambrite, (percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) seeing his team move the ball methodically against this fast, talented and athletic Ramsay defense.

Adams, goes deep down the field toward the end zone.

Pass incomplete.

- [Jack] Wow.

- [Mickey] Just over the outreached hands of Trevon Brown.

- [Rick] He tried to hang up.

- [Jack] A lot of skilled players in this game.

- [Rick] Yeah, there are.

(percussive big band music) (logo whooshing) He tried to hang up that post and let him run under it, but nice closing speed on the football and watch him knock that ball away.

Just an excellent job there by James Jones.

(percussive big band music) (logo whooshing) - [Mickey] So second down and 10 after the incompletion.

(players chattering) (spectators cheering) 6:17 to play here in the second quarter, second down at 10.

Back to the ground game.

(spectators cheering) This is Boyd on the carry, (whistle blowing) and he is taken down by Ramsay's Fletcher Taylor after a game of seven.

Here's a third and three upcoming.

- [Rick] Pretty good speed right there.

I thought for a minute that he was gonna be run down at the line of scrimmage, but he just really blew right by that edge player.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) Boy, they move him all over the field, makes him so tough to defend.

(percussive big band music) - [Mickey] Need to take it just inside the 19 for a first down, so third down and about two and a half.

Boyd hit behind the line of scrimmage.

First man there was Ramsay's Jermaine Parker, the junior linebacker.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Yeah, I tell you, Parker hit that A gap, the area between the center and the guard, (logo whooshing) right at the snap.

Watch him right here coming right through that gap unencumbered in the backfield.

And he's not gonna let go.

And he had a lot of help too.

- [Mickey] So fourth down, they send in the field goal unit.

(logo whooshing) Nicholas Pearson connected on a field goal just a few moments ago, so they'll spot this one down at about the 29, so a 39-yard attempt coming up here for Pearson.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) The kick is away, and the kick is right through there.

(spectators cheering) Coach Jack Crowe, thank you for joining us and best of luck with your work- - [Jack] Thank you for having me.

- [Mickey] with the Coach Safely Foundation.

- [Rick] Great to see you, coach.

- [Jack] See you guys.

- [Mickey] Take a break and return to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

You're watching the Super 7 Football Championships.

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(energetic rock music) - [Mickey] And time now for the Children's of Alabama Super 7 schedule.

It has been a busy day today here in Auburn.

It got started with the 3A state championship game this morning, St. James defeating Piedmont 45-28, and the 1A Championship game this afternoon, it was Leroy impressively over Pickens County, 42-20.

And of course, yesterday, and then last night, you had Auburn winning the Flag Football state championship, then it was Thompson knocking off Auburn last night at the 7A state championship game.

And of course we have 4A, 2A and 6A state championship games all coming up for you tomorrow from right here at Jordan-Hare stadium in Auburn.

(whistle blowing) Expect another great day as well.

Sunny skies predicted forecast for tomorrow, temperatures in the 60's, so come on out and enjoy all the exciting state championship football games here in Auburn tomorrow.

(spectators cheering) And we still got a lot to go in this one.

Good return here by Jamarcus Jones as he steps out of bounds across the 40.

And coach, we're tied at 13 here, late in the second quarter.

This has been a very competitive 5A state championship game.

- [Rick] Yeah, it really has, and I'll tell you, Ramsay has had a huge advantage on kickoff returns now.

They had the long one that set them up, that's another good return, and of course, we had the attempted squib kick that got them great field positions, so they've used kickoff returns to great advantage.

One thing that's a little interesting to me, Parker Adams has only thrown three passes in this game.

I really thought he'd throw more than that.

And of course, Ashford again, 90-something yards, but he's not gonna get any on that one.

- [Mickey] Ashton Ashford, stopped for a very short game.

One of the few times tonight that Charles Henderson has wrapped him up, as Ashford has had himself a really good first half, 94 yards rushing on 17 carries.

- [Rick] And in that time, Charles Henderson was able to get some penetration at the line of scrimmage, which, I think that's gonna be a key.

They've gotta find a way to get more of that.

- [Mickey] Second down, they give to Ashford again.

Boy, he has had a lot of success over that left side, and this is a huge gain of about 19 yards to the 41-yard line, and that'll move the chains for Ramsay.

- [Rick] Yeah, and again, (logo whooshing) that off tackle area to the left, you can see there's no blue shirt out there.

And he's out in coverage and there's gotta be some kind of edge player to not let that ball leak outside.

Just really, Ramsay has been very effective with this as we see a player down for Charles Henderson.

- [Man] Hey Reese, find a way for us to get back over that.

- [Rick] Don't have a number.

- [Man] Reese, Reese, he's disconnected, find us a way to get over that.

- [Mickey] And hope the young man is okay.

(spectators chattering) And they're still attending to the injured player at about the 47-yard line.

- [Rick] Yeah, see Coach Hambrite out there immediately.

- [Mickey] It's like they're taking a look at the right lower leg possibly?

- [Rick] Yeah, they're gonna get him up.

(medical team chattering) - [Mickey] That is Damien Hart, Number 8.

And let's take a look at the road to the finals for the Ramsay Rams.

And they're based out of the Birmingham area.

They had a couple of, I wouldn't say easy games, in the first two rounds, but not much trouble getting past Southside and then Guntersville.

And then, tell you what?

You talk about back-to-back tough games in the quarters and semis there, with wins over Leeds and Pleasant Grove.

- [Rick] Yeah, those last two are really, really a tough row to hoe right there, and got through them.

(logo whooshing) And of course, here they are playing for a state championship.

- [Mickey] Both these teams have won state championships.

As coach mentioned earlier, (whistle blowing) Ramsay won the 6A title back in 2016.

Charles Henderson actually won a state championship in 1980 as a 3A team, back when there were four classifications in the state of Alabama.

Here's Ashford again.

Another good gain on first down.

- [Rick] Yeah, that '80 team was led by the late Jay Jeffcoat, just a great man and a great football coach.

Just really a good spot to highlight a real gentleman and one of the great coaches in history of this state.

- [Mickey] Ashford taken down just short of the first down.

It's gonna set up third down and about a yard.

Ramsay is three for five on third-down conversions here in this first half.

Ashford gets it again, no surprise there.

He was hit behind the line of scrimmage, (whistle blowing) but fought forward and got the first down.

He broke the tackle of Zarion Mack behind the line of scrimmage.

- [Rick] I'll tell you what, I bet if we had their weight room statistics, I bet he squats and power-cleans pretty good amount of weight.

Watch this strength right here.

He is hit right there.

And he just runs through 'em (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] 21 Carries, 121 yards, (logo whooshing) in this first half for this young man, Ashton Ashford.

(PA system blaring) (spectators cheering) Timeout on the field with 3:12 to play here in the first half.

A moment ago we took a look at Ramsay's road to the state championship game, now here's a look at Charles Henderson.

They had a tough first-round win over Williamson 20-16, then handled Tallassee in the second round 34-7.

Then, kinda like Ramsay, they had really tough matchups in the quarters and semis, and back-to-back wins over UMS Wright and Faith Academy.

That's very impressive.

- [Rick] Yeah, that's two of the very best, traditionally, 5A teams in the southern part of the state of Alabama.

Beat UMS Wright in Troy, and then went on the road, and beat Faith Academy in the semis.

And of course, UMS Wright is coached by Coach Curtis, who is one of the leading all-time winners in the state of Alabama.

(spectators cheering and chattering) - [Mickey] So as we return out of the timeout, it is first and 10, Ramsay, just inside the 30.

(whistle blowing) Ashford cuts it back up in inside, and coach, they are really just wearing out the left side of the line of scrimmage.

- [Rick] Yeah, they really are.

That time, Jywon Boyd was... That edge player was out there, but a little limp leg by Ashford and he broke right inside of him untouched, for a nice, as you can see, seven, eight-yard gain right there.

- [Mickey] Second down at three, (spectators cheering) here goes Ashford!

And he's in for the touchdown!

(whistle blowing) He would just not be denied the Department of Human Resources touchdown.

- [Rick] It looked like the Department of Human Resources led the way through that hole right there.

They were in the power play to the right side.

They sealed it down, just caved in the right side and wrapped that guard around, and that young man did the rest.

And I'll tell you what, he is quite a show here in the first half.

(spectators cheering) Well, we go back and forth.

(whistle blowing) - [Mickey] And here's the Electric Co-Ops of Alabama extra point attempt from William Murray.

Had his last one blocked, and this one is right through there.

So that extends the lead to 20-13, with 2:41 to play here in this first half.

As Ashton Ashford, 153 yards rushing in this first half, and here he gets into the end zone for the third time tonight.

- [Rick] Well, you see the seal by the center and the guard, the kickout by the tackle and the lead through with the wrap around, and boy, he hits that hole and just runs through an upper-body arm tackle into the end zone.

- [Mickey] coach, this young man is only 5'9", 180, but he runs like he's 6'9", 180.

- [Rick] Well, those short running backs that have that power, very, very tough to tackle.

- [Mickey] Is that low center of gravity tough for defenders to handle?

- [Rick] Absolutely.

Well, it's really tough and a short running back, it's hard to see him.

- [Mickey] And there's your scoring drive presented by ALDOT.

7 plays, 59 yards, just 1:58 off the clock, and Ashford with his third touchdown run of the night.

That 22-yard run, the longest run from scrimmage for Ashford to get under 53 yards rushing in this first half, and coach Ronnie Jackson has really been leaning on that running game and it's been working.

- [Rick] I think that he's gotten down to business.

I think Ashford, how I think he's got down to business?

How I can tell?

(whistle blowing) He took his earrings off.

I think he's getting ready to get down and dirty now.

- [Mickey] And here's your Department of Human Resources kickoff, as we're getting set for the kick from (spectators cheering and chattering) William Murray.

Been a busy young man here in this first half.

This kick will be taken at the 20-yard line.

(spectators cheering) Nice return in the works here for the Trojans as they will have good field position out at about the 44-yard line.

Thanks to the good return by Jywon Boyd.

- [Rick] Really surprised that they kicked it to him, but they did, and the result is really good field position for Charles Henderson and let's see if they can answer.

2:31 left in the half.

They got plenty of time, and two timeouts left as well.

(whistle blowing) - [Stadium Announcer] 43-yard line.

- [Mickey] So the Trojans back on offense.

(spectators cheering) Parker Adams has only attempted three passes tonight.

He's completed two of them for 82 yards.

He looks to throw here on first down.

He goes deep over the middle, (spectators cheering) and this is nearly intercepted.

Great break on the football that time by Jermaine Foy.

- [Rick] Yeah, that post route hung up in the middle of the field for a long time.

That safety seeing him coming over and breaking on it, almost picked.

(logo whooshing) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So second down at 10 as the Trojans took a deep shot there on first down.

(spectators cheering and chattering) Adams drops back to throw, steps up.

Still looking, and swings it out and gets it to Boyd, (whistle blowing) and he is knocked out of bounds at the 49-yard.

Correction, that is Coleman.

- [Announcer] Zachary Coleman, the ball carrier (indistinct).

- Kinda nice improvising there from Parker Adams.

- [Rick] And it's actually a lateral.

There's nowhere else to go with the football, and picked up a little bit with it.

- [Mickey] So it's up third and four.

- [Rick] It's a big third down now.

They've gotta match score-for-score here.

(spectators chattering and cheering) Gotta get to the 49.

Well, just past the 49, I think.

- [Mickey] So third down and four, Adams getting the play in.

Coleman shifts back up for protection, then they hand it to him, and just nowhere to run.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) Every gap sealed there by the Ramsay defense, led by Number 30, Cameron Carson.

- [Announcer] Number 47, Dillon- - [Rick] Yeah, well, you said it all, Mickey.

Nowhere to go right there.

They tried to run the zone play to that side, and it shut off and shut down in a hurry.

- [Mickey] So that brings up forth down, and that'll bring in the punting unit.

(spectators chattering) As Charles Henderson unable to take advantage of the good field position they had after the kickoff return.

(spectators cheering) (players chattering) (whistle blowing) - [Announcer] (indistinct).

Nicholas Pearson.

- [Mickey] Yeah, Nicholas Pearson standing back to punt, and we've got a timeout taken.

(PA system blaring) - [Rick] Pretty interesting stat right here, Mickey.

Since that first pass to him, Jywon Boyd's total offensive totals are 11 yards.

So they've done a good job of quieting him down in a hurry.

And he has not had the impact on this game that he did in either one of those last two playoff games that we just talked about.

And they're gonna have to get him more involved if they're gonna win this football game.

- [Announcer] (indistinct).

- [Mickey] Yeah, definitely a big change in strategy.

Jywon Boyd isn't scored on the 64-yard touchdown reception on the first place of scrimmage, and it has been quiet the rest of the first half.

- [Rick] It really has.

- [Announcer] And both of the official ball of the NFL and the NCAA.

- [Rick] He's really only touched the ball two times since then.

They've targeted him on a couple of passes, but not able to get it done as he has been double covered.

- [Mickey] By the way, coming up at half-time, it'll be the Jefferson County halftime show.

Let's hear what Jefferson County residents say about how much they like Jefferson County, as this kick will hit at the 16, and will be downed right at the 10-yard line, (whistle blowing) (players chattering) with 40 seconds to play here in the first half.

(spectators cheering) (spectators applauding) How does Ramsay play it here, coach?

- [Rick] Well, I was just gonna say, do you take a shot or do you... Now, taking a shot here might mean putting it in Number two's belly and see if you can pop one for a lot of yardage.

- [Announcer] First down 10 Ramsay, at their own 10-yard line.

(percussive big band music) (spectators cheering) - [Rick] You've got the lead.

You might wanna be conservative.

Make sure you don't get a turnover or a mistake right here late in the half.

(spectators cheering and chattering) We haven't heard a whole lot from Jalen Jones, who has 69 catches on the year, 1,246 yards.

He's been relatively quiet.

Just two catches for eight yards.

(players chattering) (spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So we'll see how the Rams play it here, first and 10, at their own 10.

Gonna throw it up top.

(spectators cheering) Pass is incomplete.

(whistle blowing) Double coverage over there against the aforementioned Jalen Jones.

coach, they weren't looking his way, but he was just well covered.

- [Rick] Yeah, yeah, really fortunate that wasn't picked.

They closed on that bone in a hurry.

- [Announcer] Zachary Batie and Number 2, Jywon Boyd.

- [Mickey] So second and 10, that play only took six seconds.

- [Announcer] Touchdown to 10.

(spectators cheering and chattering) - [Mickey] Kinda get the feeling we might see Number 2 here.

- [Rick] I think that maybe discretion might be the better part of valor right here.

- [Mickey] And they do hand it off to Number 2, Ashford.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) Picks up four yards to the 14, and unless someone calls a timeout, that may very well take us to the end of the first half.

- [Rick] Oh, he runs so strong.

That one looked really well defended, and you look up and it's four yards.

- [Referee] Come on, come on.

- [Referee] Hey, let's go.

(whistle blowing) - [Mickey] And we will have a timeout taken.

- [Rick] It puts Ashford at 157 yards for this first half on 25 carries.

- [Mickey] Charles Henderson will use one of their remaining two timeouts stopping the clock with 11 seconds to go here before halftime.

(upbeat percussive music) (indistinct) down at six.

- [Rick] We've seen some workhorses today.

Jack Hayes in the 3A game.

I don't how many times he carried the football, and Ashton's already carried the ball 25 times.

He could hit 40 carries maybe.

Could he hit 50?

(drum beats) (spectators chattering) - [Mickey] And again, we talk about Ashton Ashford, coach, it's just like this young man's just gotten stronger as the first half has gone on.

- [Rick] What you see is is that he takes most all those licks with his shoulder pads, you don't get through his body very much at all.

It's all good running backs to... (spectators chattering) See there's a grab around the top of the shoulder pads.

(whistle blowing) (logo whooshing) Not gonna get into his body, runs so strong.

A good look at... Well, he's got 157 yards on 25 carries.

- [Mickey] And they give it to him here and he's gonna pick up the first down, and more still on his feet out across the 30-yard line.

(whistle blowing) (spectators cheering) Wow, what a way to send us to the end of the first half is Ashton Ashford.

Clearly the story of the first half of the Ramsay Rams.

(spectators cheering) Three touchdowns here in the first half as Ramsay will take a 20 to 13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

And a reminder coming up momentarily, we will send it down to the field, Kevin Scarbinsky and the Jefferson County halftime show.

(spectators chattering) - [Rick] That run's gonna put him at about 175 yards.

- [Mickey] But first let's send it down to Susan Carruthers, standing by with Coach Ronnie Jackson.

- Hey, coach you told me before the game that your team just needed to play Ramsay football.

Are they doing that?

- Yes ma'am.

- [Ronnie] Yeah, they're definitely playing Ramsay football.

We know we can just go downhill and run the football.

And we just gotta continue to do what we do.

- What are you gonna tell 'em in the locker room?

- Just continue to do what we're doing.

I think we can wear 'em down, but again, this is a really good team.

And so we just gotta make sure we continue to execute and just do the things that we normally do, so.

- All right.

Good luck, coach.

- Thank you, appreciate it.

- [Mickey] That sounds like a lot more of Number 2 in the second half, coach.

- [Rick] I would think so.

And that last run got him to 176 yards.

(upbeat music) - [Mickey] We'll return to Auburn, Alabama.

The Super 7 in just a moment.

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(upbeat music) - [Announcer] Jefferson County halftime show.

- [Kevin] We're here on the field in Jordan-Hare Stadium, halftime of the Class 5A state championship game.

The Ramsay Rams on top of the Charleston Henderson Trojans, 20 to 13.

It's been an explosive first half.

I'm your host Kevin Scarbinsky here with Coach Bill Clark.

And coach, the junior running back for Ramsay, Ashton Ashford again and again and again.

If my numbers are right, 25 carries in the first half.

How often do you see that?

- And when you say you got a hot hand you feed him.

But if we get the same, that's 50 for the game, That would probably be a record.

But he's low to the ground, very thick, lower body.

As we talked about some of the Mark Ingram's and those kind of guys.

Trent Richardson.

- [Kevin] Trent Richardson.

- Yeah, I mean DeWayne McBride at UAB, thick, strong, yards after carry.

I mean, I think that's the thing we're looking for, but he's explosive.

But we'll have to see what he does second half.

- It will, yeah.

Deebo McBride led the nation in Russian for the UAB Blazers this year.

It was a first half of explosive plays, obviously more of the running game for Ramsay.

And then Jywon Boyd, the do-everything wide receiver, running back, wildcat, return specialist for Charles Henderson.

He caught a long touchdown pass.

So Ramsay is more familiar with this stage, although they've had to get through Pleasant Grove and that hasn't been easy in the last few years.

Charles Henderson has not won a state title since 1980.

They've only played for one since in 2013.

They came up short, but now they're in the game.

They've gotta feel good, don't you think?

As the underdog going into the locker room only down seven.

- Yeah, and I think you got down there twice, they got stopped but came away with points with the field goal.

Obviously, the very first play of the game.

They look out, looks like zero coverage, they look up and they take a shot and they hit it.

So that was a great way to start the game.

It's a really good game back and forth.

Once again, who comes out?

Who makes a great adjustment second half and comes out, plays well the second half.

- Gotta ask you about a pivotal play in the first half.

A surprise onsite kick from Charles Henderson that looked an awful lot like the onsite kick, Alabama sprung on Clemson in the 2015 National Championship game when no one could stop anybody at that stage.

And Nick Saban gambled and they executed it perfectly.

The kicker kicks a little pooch kick and a teammate runs under it, catches it on the fly.

Exact same thing happened here, but they called interference on Charles Henderson.

So it nullified what looked like a brilliant call.

Dude, I didn't really understand.

I didn't see the interference myself.

- Yeah, the thing that has always been understood is if somebody's fair catching it on the other side, you've gotta give them the ability to catch it.

I couldn't see that.

So with somebody trying to make a attempt at a fair catch and then you caught it in the air, Now, obviously if it hit the ground, I think no problem.

But I didn't see anybody do that.

I think that was the call.

So that'll be one after the game, we'll have to hear what happened.

- And Charles Henderson was in the lead at that time, 10 to seven and who knows?

But then Ramsay gets the ball back, and they drive down for another touchdown.

- And as I always say, - [Kevin] (indistinct).

- ...what is the play?

And a lot of times you don't know til you go back at the end of the game and you say, what changed the momentum?

What could have really put Charles Henderson maybe on their way?

Who knows?

So that would be a point we'd go back and look at later.

- Well, we've got a very competitive game here as we sit at halftime 5A state championship game.

Ramsay 20, Charles Henderson 13.

Stay with us, we've got more coming up on the Jefferson County halftime show.

(upbeat rock music) (upbeat rock music) (audience cheering) - [Man] I know it's early, but it's okay to move around seat.

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Look and you'll find protectors all around us.

At Protective, it's at the heart of who we are.

For more than a century, millions have relied on us to make retirement more about wishes than worry and life insurance more about legacy than loss.

We're by your side helping you protect what matters most, because we're all protectors.

(upbeat music) (dashboard pings) (engine revving) (vehicle screeches) (car crashes) (dashboard pings) - [Announcer] The internet, it's how we learn, experience and connect to the world.

But all of that powerful information needs a really powerful home.

A data center like this world class facility, we invested $600 million to build, right here in Alabama.

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Our data center supports thousands of jobs.

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- [Announcer] Welcome back (upbeat rock music) to the Jefferson County halftime show.

- [Kevin] We are back here on the frozen tundra of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Glad we're not in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

We're at halftime of the Class 5A state championship game.

Ramsay leading Charles Henderson, 20 to 13.

This incredible event, the Super 7, would not be possible without the incredible work and incredible cooperation and teamwork from the sponsors that really bring these broadcasts to you and help put on this incredible event.

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This is a very important event to us every single year.

Last year was at Protective, today and the last couple of days, it's been here in Auburn.

And the awesome partnership that Jack's has had over the last decade has been very important to us because one of the biggest things that Jack's is known for is being a family company.

We want to support our communities the best way that we can.

We might not have a million people in the company, but we try our very best to try to do as much as we can.

And Alabama is known for sports.

So one of the things that we're going to be focusing on is sports and providing resources to these schools because they look to us as leaders.

Because a lot of our stores are in some of these smaller communities.

And Ramsay High School and Charles Henderson, we know that they appreciate us being here to support 'em as well.

- And one of the great things about Jack's is I know in my local community, my sons have gone to Corner High School and you go by the Jack's after a high school football game or a high school basketball game, and that parking lot is full.

You see it is full of young people.

And they're enjoying if they won the game, even if they didn't win, they're just enjoying that fellowship, that family, that community.

- Absolutely.

- The Jack's is all about.

- Absolutely, and we want to provide a very good product.

We have some really good people that work for us.

We're also expanding.

Next year we have 20-something stores that we're opening.

A lot of 'em are in our other states.

So we're known for opening in Birmingham, Alabama, in the Homewood location.

We've been there since 1960, opened up by Jack Caddell.

So we've been around for quite some time.

It was only in the last five to 10 years that we really started to expand the way that we've been here recently.

So look to us in areas in Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and also some other places that might be can come in the future as well.

- How many restaurants do you have across the state of Alabama?

(both laughs) - I believe it's 235 locations at this point.

So we're getting up there.

We're definitely growing at a very rapid rate, and we're also looking for very good people to fill those roles that we have.

So look for an application and try to fill it out, and see if you can come and join the family.

- And that's great I mention too as well, for high school students, for example, who are looking for part-time jobs after school, maybe in the summer.

Jack's provides great opportunities there, doesn't it?

- Absolutely, in a lot of ways, a lot of these kids out here are actually... We employ.

I don't know about the people on this field, but I can almost assure you that there's been some kids that have walked through here and also some families that have actually been employed by us and are also employed currently.

So we provide tickets and stuff to families to come and see this game.

We have some here in attendance with us today.

And it's just a little thing that we can do to show our gratitude to the support that our fans have given us in many, many decades that we've been in business.

- Well, we're certainly grateful for the support that Jack's provides to the Super 7.

John Whitten, field marketing specialist for Jack's.

Thank you very much for being with us.

- Yes, absolutely, thank you.

- We're gonna head to a break.

We'll be back in a few moments to wrap up the Jefferson County halftime show from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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(energizing music) - Don't you just love rain?

It's nature's way of watering the earth.

Thunderstorms are a different story.

Poppy really freaks out if the lights go off.

(thunder crashes) That's why we love Alabama Power.

As soon as it's safe, they work day and night to get the lights back on fast.

Kind of like real life superheroes.

I know they do it for everybody, but sometimes I think they do it just for Poppy.

Say thanks Poppy.

(dog barks) (rain tapping) - [Announcer] Welcome back (upbeat rock music) to the Jefferson County halftime show.

(upbeat rock music) - [Kevin] All right, back here in Jordan-Hare.

Taking a look back at the first half of Ramsay and Charles Henderson.

Ramsay with a touchdown lead heading into the third quarter.

We're gonna take a look at some highlights from that first half.

We focused on defense, Bill, talking before the game.

And I still think maybe a big defensive play may decide this thing, but some very important offensive performances in that first half.

Led again by Ramsay running back, Ashton Ashford, number two.

(upbeat rock music) - [Bill] Yeah, I mean, there you go.

Running behind your pads, bouncing off would be tackler.

There's that vertical shot.

That was the first play of the game.

No safety over the top.

Good job by them.

I don't know if that was just...

They looked down and saw it and took advantage of it.

- [Kevin] Jywon Boyd.

(upbeat rock music) And here comes Ramsay.

(spectators cheering) Big kick return.

- [Bill] Yeah, that was the next play.

Came back, answered them, and that's what you wanna see.

Big play and the special teams change the field position.

They came down and scored right after that.

- [Kevin] Yeah, you think you've got momentum and then they flip the script on you with a big play.

- [Bill] We talked about special teams, Charles Henderson, two field goals.

Once again, you want touchdowns but get down there at least, get points.

- [Kevin] Yeah, that gave him the lead, 10 to seven.

But then again there goes that man, Number 2, Ashton Ashford.

- [Bill] Right.

There you go.

Just right up the middle.

And here we are with a blocked extra point, which puts you within a field goal.

- [Kevin] You never know (upbeat rock music) when that's gonna make a difference.

- [Bill] Yep, there's another one by Charles Henderson.

That's the second one.

And those are big, just getting points.

- [Kevin] Yeah, that tied it up at 13.

And then guess who?

- [Bill] Yep.

- [Kevin] Number 2.

- [Bill] Number 2, that's right.

(upbeat rock music) 25 carries.

We're gonna see how he handles that in the second half.

That's a bunch.

(whistle blowing) - Kevin, coach, do you find on a crisp cold night like tonight, do you have a little more stamina?

Or how does that affect a player?

Especially a running back that you're handling the ball this many times?

- [Bill] I think there's two things.

One obviously the lack of heat is a big deal.

There's no doubt, that is a big deal and then you just question wear and tear.

Physical contact, but some of these guys can handle it.

Sometimes the more you feed 'em, the better they get.

Sounds like he may be that guy.

- [Kevin] He may be.

Well, I'm still waiting to see a big defensive play from either Zion Grady, the edge rusher for Charles Henderson, or QB Reese, the do-everything linebacker for Ramsay.

Those guys have been big play makers, and we haven't seen Ramsay score on defense, as you mentioned before.

11 times in 13 games this year, they have scored or in 11 different games, they've scored a defensive touchdown.

Waiting to see if they can get that done tonight.

All right, we are 30 minutes away from the awarding of another blue map.

Who's it gonna be?

Ramsay or Charles Henderson?

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(classical band music) All right everybody in here, clap with me on this one, aight?

(perky guitar music) (bright music) - [Mickey] And a chilly night in Auburn, Alabama, we are at halftime of the 5A championship game at the Super 7 high school football championships.

It is Ramsay with a 20 to 13 lead over Charles Henderson.

Both teams back out on the field, getting set for the second half.

As we take a look at the Children's of Alabama Super 7 schedule.

And coach, why don't you just kind of talk about some of the things that have stood out to you so far and maybe look ahead to what's coming up tomorrow?

- [Rick] Well, we haven't really had one of those nail-biter down to the wire championship games yet.

And we've had some great performances.

Thompson, St. James and Leroy have really...

I mean, they played like champions.

So that's why they are champions.

This game maybe has the earmarks of one of those nail-biters right here as it has gone back and forth.

And I believe Charles Henderson's gonna get the ball first.

- [Mickey] They do.

- [Rick] To start the second half.

And we look ahead to tomorrow, some interesting games there.

The 4A game I think is gonna see really some great running backs on both sides of the ball.

Fyffe and BB Comer.

Of course, Fyffe is a really a mainstay in this championship game.

And BB Comer with one of the best teams they have had in a long time.

Mountain Brook and Saraland, two very distinct styles and some great athletes, maybe on one side of the ball.

Maybe a player that some people say is the best player in the state of Alabama at any classification.

And so lot's to look forward to tomorrow, but let's look forward to this second half.

(upbeat music) - [Mickey] There you see the Ramsay Rams down in their side of the field getting warmed up for the second half.

Ramsay out-gaining Charles Henderson, 217 yards of total offense.

The Trojans with 145 yards of total offense.

So a very good job by this Ramsay defense coach because if you take away the 64-yard touchdown pass play on the first offensive play from scrimmage, Charles Henderson really hasn't been able to do much else offensively.

- [Rick] No they really haven't.

A couple of interesting things to look at.

Boyd after that first drive, only has 11 yards of total offense.

Since that, the very good quarterback for Charles Henderson, Parker Adams has only thrown the ball four times.

He's two for four for 82 yards.

64 came on that first play.

I think those two guys are gonna have to get a lot more involved if Charles Henderson's gonna win this game.

- [Mickey] And let's send it down to the field now and check in with Susan Carruthers.

- Hey coach, we got a game on our hands here.

What did you tell your players at halftime?

(energizing music) - Play our game.

We've settled down.

We were kind of rushed a little bit in the beginning of the game and that kind of played into that first half.

But I expect them to settle down and play a pretty good on second half.

- What are you gonna do about Number 2?

- We're gonna tackle him.

I mean, essentially, some fits we're doing fine, some we're not.

But when we fit, we just gotta tackle him.

I think first half jitters are out the way, so we're gonna see how the second half plays out.

- All right, good luck, coach.

Thank you.

- Appreciate it.

- [Mickey] All right, coach, Charles Hambrite joining Susan there and they just gotta wrap up Number 2.

Number 2 has done a lot of damage in this first half.

176 yards rushing for this young man for Ramsay.

- [Rick] He's got 176 of the 212, right?

Now, here's something to think about.

This guy runs with great body length.

If I try to tackle you with you standing up like this, I can wrap my arms around your waist.

I'm not gonna do that.

But if you're bent over and imagine your body's in kind of a Z, I can't get my arms around you.

Well, if you're as strong as that young man is right there and you're trying to do that and you can't wrap your arms around him, that becomes an all day sucker, trying to handle that one.

And that's exactly the way he is running the first half.

He has been nothing but shoulder pads and knees.

And so they're going to have to...

If they're gonna tackle him, I think they're gonna have to get more people in the box.

They're gonna have to get book-in-edge players on each side and try to literally put him in a box and not let him get started.

Gonna have to get some penetration.

- [Mickey] And on the other side, the Number 2 for Charles Henderson, coach, he needs to kinda get going here in the second half.

- [Rick] Well, I mean, he's gotta get in the ball game.

He's gotta see the ball a lot more.

I mean, we talked about it before the game he had scored in so many different ways, but it's impossible.

And I don't mean this as critical as as it gonna sound, but I mean, it's impossible to score if you don't have the ball.

So we'll see how this second half plays out.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Charles Henderson will get the second half kickoff.

They won the toss and deferred, so they will get the first crack at it here as we begin the second half of the 5A state championship game.

William Murray has it teed up and ready to kick it off.

Second half kickoff, presented by the Department of Human Resources, changing lives throughout Alabama.

And we are underway with the second half from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

(spectators cheering) And this is Coleman.

(whistle blowing) Nice job just fielding the bounce there and returning it out to the 29-yard line.

(spectators cheering and chattering) - [Rick] Well, let's see how the Trojans of Charles Henderson approach this on this first drive of the second half.

So you can look at Parker Adams.

Again, average is 189 yards a game, throwing 26 touchdown passes.

(spectators cheering) Just hasn't been there yet tonight.

With the exception (whistle blowing) of that very first play.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] So here we go, first down in 10, they started off with a running play and this is Antonio Frazier.

(whistle blowing) And Frazier with his third carry of the game, picks up four yards, second down and six.

- [Rick] Yeah, followed the block that time of big Connor Jones, 6'5, 285.

Wrapped around and led that way around there.

I think if he would've stayed a little bit more inside, that ball might have popped for a little bit more yardage.

- [Mickey] Adam slays it with Frazier again.

Frazier spun out of one, would be tackle from Ramsay's QB Reese, but not much after that, only a gain of one.

That'll set up third down and four, big possession play right out of the gate here in the second half.

- [Rick] Yeah, pretty conservative second down call right there.

As I look and I think I see Jywon Boyd at the top of the screen.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Charles Henderson, 0 for five on third downs here in this game.

- [Rick] Now Boyd is at the bottom of the little bunch up there, to the right.

- [Mickey] Adams fakes the pitch looking downfield.

throws for Boyd and he's all tangled up and we're gonna get an interference call (whistle blows) against Jermaine Foy.

- [Rick] What an unusual route.

Boyd came out and did a little pirouette, kind of a hook and go.

Usually that move is gonna be really early in the route, that one was done about 15 yards downfield.

But it paid off with the interference call and that'll be a big first down.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] See Adams coach, takes a shot there at the end of the play.

Looks like he... (spectators cheering and chattering) - [Referee] Redo the pass.

(logo whooshing) Pass interference on the defense, 15 yard penalty, (bell dings) result is a first down.

- [Mickey] Looks like he went through his progressions there before he threw downfield for Boyd.

So they get the first down by way of the penalty out of the 50-yard line.

(whistle blows) (big band music) - [Rick] Well, this sets them up in really good field position, fresh set of downs.

- [Mickey] First down, presented by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Here is Adams with a wild pitch.

And I tell you (whistle blows) Boyd is lucky he was able to recover that.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Yeah, very ill-advised pitch, he'd already committed down to the inside.

- [Mickey] James Jones for Ramsay.

He got up with the football, Ramsay coaches saying it's their ball, as we get another look at it.

- [Rick] Watch, he's committed to the inside kind of a two-handed pitch and... (logo whooshing) Well, he's down with the ball.

The Ramsay coaches are into this game.

We've heard 'em a good bit.

I think I could recall some of their plays, but as they should be, my gosh, I mean, it's their guys down there.

- [Mickey] Second down at 12.

Here is Coleman and he is unable to get around the edge.

Nice job setting the edge that time by Ramsay's Marquel Patterson.

- [Rick] Yeah, Patterson inside linebacker comes inside out, really beats the block underneath you and you gotta kind of seal all that out.

You're gonna take a look at it right here.

You see the double pulls right here.

But you can see that... One of the things that you wanna do as a defensive line, you wanna keep those linebackers clean, Keep blockers off of 'em.

That's exactly what happened.

And Patterson does a great job right there diagnosing that play and making a big stop.

- [Mickey] Third and long, Adams back to throw, zips it downfield, (spectators cheering) it's picked off at the 45-yard line by Ramsay's QB Reese, he's still going.

And he will be tackled from behind.

(spectators cheering) But a turnover here by Charles Henderson, what looked like here a good drive as they were getting out in the middle of the field and they throw the interception and Ramsay will get the ball back.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] I mean, QB is just gonna sit right on this route right here.

You can see he's sitting right there and Johnny on the spot makes the play.

Now, he had a 38 yard pick in the semifinals now, so he's no stranger to this, that's really a great job of sitting there baiting the quarterback and then showing nice hands too.

- [Mickey] That is the first turnover of the game.

And it is a big one as Ramsay will have it first and 10 now at the 28 of Charles Henderson.

And they start off- - [Rick] Guess who?

- [Mickey] The second half with the way they ended the first half.

And that is handing the ball to Ashton Ashford.

And once again, a big pickup on first down as we update Ashton Ashford's numbers here after that carry, coach.

27 rushes, 179 yards.

(whistle blows) - [Rick] And guess who?

- [Mickey] Only way to stop it is to throw the flag before they hand it to him.

- [Referee] Prior to snap.

False start on the offense.

Five yard penalty, still second down.

- [Mickey] You mentioned the performance by Jack Hayes for Piedmont and their losing effort in the 3A state championship game this morning.

But these are incredible rushing numbers tonight by Ashton Ashford.

- [Rick] I mean the really are.

And when you rush that many times and have that kind of yards per carry, that's an exceptional performance.

- [Mickey] Second down and seven after the penalty, they hand it off to Ashford.

Breaks a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, racing around the edge.

Ashford is gonna have a first down and fights his way down to the 12-yard line.

I tell you this young man just doesn't seem to get tired as he salutes the fans in the stands for Ramsay.

- [Rick] Well, you're gonna see Damien Hart comes flying off that edge, now, Hart averages about 11 and a half tackles a game and you can see how strong Ashton Ashford is.

He just runs right through that tackle.

- [Mickey] And here he goes again.

(whistle blowing) He is wrapped up and taken down by Charles Henderson's Brandon Gibbons.

But play goes for four yards on, first down, second down and six.

(players chattering) (audience cheering) - [Rick] You've certainly impressed with his speed, but the big thing about him is he's just so tough to bring down.

He breaks tackles, he runs right through him.

- [Mickey] Here he goes again.

He's in for the touchdown, (spectators cheering) his fourth rushing touchdown in this 5A state championship game.

And Ashton Ashford is now over 200 yards rushing.

- [Rick] Well, and his cut ability, he kind of worked that one a little bit to the outside, planted that outside foot and then cut it straight up north and south with a score.

He's putting it on a show.

Looks like he's got pretty good dance moves (whistle blows) on the sideline too.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] That young man look tired to you?

- [Rick] Shoot, no.

I'm telling you these great ones now, when they get it going like this, they can't carry the ball too much.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] And the electric co-ops of Alabama extra point is good as Ramsay takes advantage of the interception.

They turn it into points.

They expand their lead to 27, 13.

Let's go back coach to the interception.

- [Rick] Well, this is just again, a great job by Reese of setting and baiting the quarterback and then high pointing that ball and taking it in for positive yardage.

Shows some strength right there as well.

(trumpet blaring) Well, great job by QB Reese.

- [Mickey] And then the touchdown as Ashton Ashford, again we gotta give credit to the offensive line.

And coach, you were in the coaching business obviously for a long time and that is a position that you know very well and that offensive line.

Has been blowing open some big holes for the show.

- [Rick] Well, that's exactly how you win games with what's up front.

You see, they took advantage of it, of the interception, 28 yards, four plays.

He ran every one of them, scored on the eight yard run.

Now, that last run was really a work of art.

(whistle blowing) If you noticed on the replay, he widened it enough and then missed by the smallest margin on the widest defender and ran away from those interior pursuit guys by doing just that, really great running.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] Mario Davenport picks up the kickoff and darts out to the 45 yard line to give Charles- - [Rick] We're gonna get another look at it right here.

Now, watch him right here as he stretches this thing outside.

Now watch, stretches but then right up the field north and south.

See that arm tackle by number 54?

If he hadn't stretched that thing as wide as he had, he would run right into a tackle right there.

Just really, really great ability to miss by the smallest margin.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] So first and 10 now for Charles Henderson as pressure now on the Trojan offense.

(classical big band music) This is Coleman on the handoff, and he is wrapped up front behind.

- [Rick] Well, I don't mean this as critical as it's gonna sound, but Charles Henderson is not gonna win this football game by running the ball between the tackles.

It's just not gonna happen.

They haven't been able to control the line of scrimmage near well enough to do that.

- [Mickey] Cameron Carson wrapping him up from behind, second down at seven.

Good look there at number 30, 6 foot, 220 pound junior.

- [Rick] He definitely looks the part.

(trumpet blaring) - [Mickey] Here's Boyd in the back field now, trying to get him involved.

And he's gonna be very close to the first down as he was taken down by QB Reese of Ramsay.

So here's a third down in short.

- [Rick] Nice one.

Nice little jump cut bible way to avoid the first row of defenders and get into the secondary.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Little tempo here by Charles Henderson to try to spark themselves offensively.

They give it to Boyd again and Boyd on his own, (classical big band music) I think is able to get forward progress and he is.

They're gonna spot him just inside the 45 and that will result in only the first down of this entire game for this Charles Henderson offense.

- [Rick] Yeah, they haven't been able really to get in sync.

They haven't been able to put successive plays together, very few big chunk plays.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] This is Coleman on the carry.

(whistle blows) A collision and he falls down at about the 42 for a gain of three.

(spectators chattering) - [Rick] Very patient, conservative, (drum beats) runs between the tackles.

Don't mean that critical, just still a two-score game.

(drum beats) (spectators chattering) - [Mickey] Get a touchdown here right back in it.

Second down at seven.

One of the things with Ashton Ashford running the ball so well, it's shortening this game.

- [Rick] Well, it is.

And of course, the other thing that's doing is he's also shortening the opportunities for Charles Henderson offensively.

- [Mickey] Coleman under unable to really get going.

Nice play defensively that time by DeMarcus Wynn, the junior defensive lineman.

- [Rick] Yeah, just nothing right there.

They shut off the inside, when you're trying to bounce it outside, linebacker scraped and penetration inside, took all that away.

- [Mickey] Coleman now right around 50 yards rushing in the game, it's third down and seven.

Parker Adams here throwing the ball tonight.

Not one of his typical nighties, only two of five in that department.

See if they choose to put it in the air here on third and seven.

And we've got a timeout taken here at the 454 mark of the third quarter.

We'll take the break as well.

- [Announcer] Time out on the field.

- [Mickey] Ramsay leading Charles Henderson 27, 13 here at Jordan-Hare.

(upbeat rock music) (soft music) - Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world.

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I have such a pride in this state and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance.

Vote.

Register to vote and get your voter ID today.

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(classical big band music) - [Mickey] And back in Auburn after the timeout.

And coach, penny for your thoughts here?

- [Rick] Well, I think those wheels are turning right here and you've got two real big problems.

Number one, they still have not stopped this prolific running game by Ramsay.

They're gonna have to get more people in the box.

(spectators cheers) - [Mickey] Adam's under duress, gets rid of it and just has to throw it away.

- [Rick] Well, and offensively, they just have not been able to generate much at all.

(spectators cheering) (drum beats) It looks like this is a fourth down situation.

Fairly decent field position.

Looks like they're gonna punt it.

They've gotta get something, some kind of continuity going offensively.

This is really their ability to throw the football.

And I mean, they are one for five for 18 yards since that first play of the game.

And once they start double coverage to the outside on Boyd, there's not really much has worked right.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] So they will not go forward on fourth and seven, they bring in Pearson and it's a fake.

- [Rick] A good one.

- [Mickey] Pearson keeps it.

He's got plenty of blockers on the edge and Pearson appears to have the first down.

- [Rick] Boy, I tell you, he almost cut back away from that first down there at the end of the play.

But he ran a little fake reverse and looked like the entire sophomore class out in front of him over on the right side.

Nobody home for Ramsay.

(logo whooshing) Watch, you see the motion coming back?

You're gonna see the fake reverse and watch the blue shirts out in front and there's not a white shirt in the house.

It's really, really well designed by Charles Henderson.

Is this gonna be the lift that is gonna get 'em going?

We'll see.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] First down at the 34 of Ramsay, Adams to throw it on first down goes up top for Boyd who adjusts (spectators cheering) and makes a grab at the five and then gets into the end zone for the touchdown.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Well, sometimes you gotta go to your go-to guy and just throw it up there and see if he'll make a play.

And that's exactly what happened.

Look like a basketball player going up for a rebound.

(spectators cheering) Well, this game just got a lot more interesting partner.

- [Mickey] Just what the doctor ordered for Charles Henderson, wow.

(classical big band music) - [Rick] Well, a fake punt and followed up with the big pass for a score.

- [Mickey] If you're gonna fake the punt and make it, you might as well do what they just did and score, right?

(whistle blows) Let's take a look at the fake punt first before the touchdown.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] Actually, this is the fake reverse off the punt and keep it.

And you can see they caught Ramsay a little bit napping and looked like it was gonna go to the house, but sets 'em up and then just take a shot, give your guy a chance.

He gets up, gets the football, nice little spin move.

And at the end, I don't know what happened to the defender on that side right there, but he had a chance to make a tackle at the five and just kind of stopped.

I don't know whether he lost sight of where he was on the field or what, but the result is a score.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] Butcher Taylor kind of appeared to give up on the play and see the scoring drive eight plays, 56 yards, three minutes, 27 seconds.

The touchdown pass from Adams to Boyd pulls Charles Henderson back two within seven.

- [Rick] It's really interesting, Taylor, I think he thought maybe they were in the end zone.

He knows what he is doing back there.

He has three interceptions on the year.

But anyway, the result is a touchdown.

And that answers one question now, kickoff coverage, which has not been great for Charles Henderson tonight.

And can they stop this Ramsay running game?

- [Mickey] As our Department of Human Resources kickoff from Nicholas Pearson and he boomed this one into the end zone.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) So what a sequence there by Charles Henderson.

And we're gonna take another look at the touchdown pass (logo whooshing) from Adams to Boyd.

And you see at the end of the play, Fletcher Taylor, number 11 in coverage, just almost like he's kind of confused about what's going on.

- [Rick] Yeah, see he just stops right there.

It looks like he could have certainly had a chance to make the play right there.

I don't know where they lost track of where it was on the field or what, but nevertheless, it's seven points.

And now, this is probably the drive of the game to this point, (whistle blows) (spectators cheering) and I think that's gonna be a procedure.

- [Referee] Prior to the snap, force stop on the offense.

Five yard penalty still first down.

- [Mickey] So that'll back him up five.

It'll be first and 15.

One more look at the touchdown.

- [Rick] This is really a nice job of getting your body between the defender of the football.

Watch him snatch that ball back away and use his body to shield the defender, really nice.

- [Mickey] And here goes Ashford (spectators cheering) and he just takes it out to around the 30 yard line.

And that will be another ALDOT first down and Ramsay hurries up to the line of scrimmage.

Astra gets the call again over the right side this time.

(whistle blows) Picks up about three, maybe four.

- [Rick] Well, and Charles Henderson has had a very difficult time, even when they've had enough bodies in the area of making tackles.

They just have had a rough, rough time.

- [Mickey] Actually five yard game, second and five.

You like the decision here by Coach Jackson, go with a little tipo coach.

- [Rick] Oh, I think so.

I think it's a good time for it.

(trumpets blaring) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] Really moving over on the right side of the Trojan defense, were they drawn off?

- [Rick] Well, I think that's the question right here.

I'm sure it looked like there was some early movement, but it was simultaneous and could go the other way.

So we'll see.

(trumpet blaring) Got the two line judges talking to each other.

- [Referee] Prior to the snap, force stop on the offense.

(spectators cheering) Five yard penalty still second down.

- [Mickey] I see Coach Jackson not happy with the explanation he is getting.

That'll back him up five and make it second and 10.

(spectators chattering and cheering) They had it right back to Number two.

(spectators cheering) And this time they wrap him up and they tackle him as Coach Hambrite wanted to see.

- [Rick] Yeah, really good gang tackling in that time.

They ran right up the shoot again with an isolation play and nothing.

- [Mickey] So here's a big third down and seven.

I tell you, Ramsay's been really good on third down tonight, five of seven.

Here's a chance for this Trojan defense to get off the field and give the ball back to their offense down by seven.

- [Rick] Biggest play of the football game to this point.

- [Mickey] Keenan's only attempted nine passes tonight.

Let's see if they put it in the air.

They fake and throw, it's complete first down across the 50 (spectators cheering) inside the Kristian Stinson, 40 goes Kristian Stinson.

- [Rick] Well, little RPO actually, ran the fake to Ashford and you can see the lineback.

You watch the linebackers, they're gonna bite on this right here and why wouldn't they?

There's an open lane for the slant route in front of the safety and a ball really delivered perfectly in a nice route by Kristian Stinson as well.

- [Mickey] Six of eight on third down in the game for Ramsay, that was a huge conversion there.

Now back to Number 2, runs into his own blocker and then is pushed back by Zarion Mack.

But for progress, we'll give him three yards on the carry.

- [Rick] Really a great call.

Really a great call on the previous third downplay.

You see this is a little RPO action.

See the both linebackers sit in the line of scrimmage playing the run, opens up that slant route right behind them.

The ball perfectly delivered, result is a big first down.

- [Mickey] Here's Ashford and he's gonna have the first down ins 25-yard line.

He just keeps rolling up the rushing numbers.

35 carries up around 250 yards rushing tonight for this young man.

- [Rick] Well, in a big block now on the outside Kickout block by 5"7', 215 pound, Doucoure Foster.

That sounds like a guy that could block.

- [Mickey] First down at the Charles Henderson 22, what an answer drive here in the works for Ramsay.

They go back to Ashford, great blocking on the right side.

He's got nine yards down inside the 15-yard line.

- [Rick] Really good push by the right side of that offensive line.

And foster again this time, gets up into the linebacker, knocks him back four yards.

Look at this movement by the white shirts right here.

I mean, he's not touched until he's deep into the secondary.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] Second and one, here comes Ashford again, first down as they stop his forward progress at the 11-yard line.

But that'll be a first intent again for Ramsay.

And we have an injured Trojan defender in the secondary.

So they stop play with one minute exactly to play here in the third quarter and attend to the injured player.

- [Rick] Yeah, I didn't see him.

My eyes were looking inside.

I didn't see exactly what happened there.

I mean, obviously he's in a good bit of pain.

I think that's Zachary Batie, he was down.

(Physicians chattering) - [Mickey] It's definitely a way from the play.

They're checking out the right leg of Zachary Batie.

(players chattering) (spectators chattering) Coach, what were spots here by Ramsay?

I mean, Charles Henderson with the fake punt, the long touchdown pass, they had so much momentum.

(coaches chattering) And then here Ramsay is knocking on the door, looking to score again.

(logo whooshing) - Oh, Ashton, I couldn't be more proud of that guy.

Ashton had a rough start in the beginning, just trying to make sure he's in the weight room and he would kind of dodge a little bit.

And I told him I saw something in him and I just knew that he has that in factor also.

He just had to put the work with it.

And to see where he's come from to where he is right now, again, I'm so proud of him man.

(logo whooshing) - [Mickey] And of course that is Ramsay coach, Ronnie Jackson speaking about his running back, Ashton Ashford last week.

- [Rick] Well, and that's one of the many ways that coaches changed lives by their influence.

Not only did he get him in the weight room, guarantee if he got in weight room, he'd turned his life around.

- [Mickey] And we're gonna have another procedure penalty against Ramsay.

- [Rick] Yeah, the full back was gonna insert through the tackle tight end gap.

And he did, just inserted a little bit too soon.

And that's the procedure penalty, makes a sit right there.

- [Mickey] Eighth penalty of the game against Ramsay.

This backs 'em up five to the 16.

(trumpets blaring) (whistle blows) But I tell you with the way Number two's running the football, I'm not sure it even matters.

And here's an update on the numbers for Ashton Ashford, 37 rushes over 250 yards.

He has scored all four of Ramsay's touchdowns and here he goes again.

And he's gonna pick up the penalty yards or close to it, even four yards.

It'll be second down at 11.

- [Rick] And as 38 carries now through three quarters of a football game, you're not gonna see that very many places, I'll tell you.

- [Announcer] Second down and 11.

- [Mickey] Second down and 11.

(spectators cheering) That'll take us to the end of the third quarter.

There you see Coach Jackson holding up the four fingers as Ramsay takes a seven point lead into the fourth quarter of the 5A state championship game.

We will continue with our live coverage of the Super 7th high school football championships from Auburn.

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(bright upbeat music) (upbeat rock music) - [Mickey] And the Ramsay fans a lot to cheer about Tonight as we enter the fourth quarter, their team has a seven point lead, 12 minutes away from the school second state championship.

Can they hold on?

Well, this is a big sequence here.

They face second down and 11 as they're trying to get more points on the board.

they hand off to Ashford and the play defended well by a host of Trojan defenders there is gonna set up a third down and long.

[Rick] Now, that time as he tried to bounce it outside, you saw that edge defender unblock to the outside force the ball back inside to the pursuit and result is a one-yard gain.

(spectators cheering) (bell dings) That's what's gotta happen if Charles Henderson is gonna be successful against those outside runs.

- [Mickey] So third down and nine from the 10.

They give it to Ashford.

And Ashford is gonna be taken down by Zarion Mack, another tackle for Mack and it's going to be fourth down.

In decision time for Coach Jackson, do you try a field goal or do you go for it?

- [Rick] Field goal situation here, I don't think that's even gonna be a possibility.

This would be the limit of their range, I think.

And they're gonna go.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] And Charles Henderson with some confusion on defense, they just get the timeout called as they were not lined up properly.

- [Referee] Time out on the field.

Charles Henderson.

- [Mickey] And those timeouts are precious (indistinct).

- [Rick] I was just thinking that that's one maybe you'd like to have back a little bit later in this quarter, but you also gotta get lined up on a very, very crucial fourth down right here.

(classical big band music) And boy, for Charles Henderson, what a stop this would be.

And for Ramsay, if they're able to convert and take it in for a score, that would make it really, really tough.

We were talking a two-score game with the way Ramsay has been able to run the clock and run the football could be real, real tough.

Even with a fair amount of time left.

- [Mickey] I know we keep talking about Number 2, but with the performance, the way this game is played out, you look at Ramsay, they've got 338 yards of total offense.

266 of that is from Number 2, Ashton Ashford.

- [Rick] Yeah, I mean he in the offensive line, I mean, they have been the story team.

I mean, it's just been a tremendous performance by that young man.

You can see 40 rushes, 266, 4 TD, 6.7, pretty darn good.

- [Mickey] Does he have six yards in him here?

Fourth and six.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Man, what a crucial play this is.

- [Mickey] And the crowd knows it.

Both sides of Jordan-Hare fans on their feet.

(spectators cheering and chattering) Fourth down and six.

(bell dings) It's Keenan, I'd another look to the sideline Blake lock just now under 10.

They hand it all, they fake to Ashford, they throw and it is (spectators cheering) incomplete.

- [Rick] Well, try to go with the RPO to the short side of the field.

That's always a little bit of a tough angle right there that passes easier to throw and catch to the wide side where you've got a little more room for those windows to develop.

And a big stop for Charles Henderson right here.

(logo whooshing) (trumpet blaring) And you see the slant again, lots of blue shirts around and just really know where to go with that football.

(whistle blowing) (logo whooshing) - [Mickey] So Charles Henderson takes over first in 10 inside their 10.

Of course, one of the thoughts that go into the decision to go for it is if you don't make it, you pin them back deep, so.

- [Rick] Absolutely.

- [Mickey] The Trojans, the poor field position here.

Let's see if it works out in Ramsay's favor.

If they could get a stop.

Adams fakes and throws downfield.

It's intercepted (spectators cheering) at the 30-yard line by Ramsay's Jermaine Foy.

And Foy stretches out (whistle blowing) and they say it's a touchdown.

- [Rick] Well, when you throw the fade, you cannot throw it inside.

If you do, you always have the chance of the interception very well covered, the safety was over the top anyway.

And when that ball was inside, it was easy pickings.

And boy, what a turnaround.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] I would say it worked out in their favor.

- [Rick] I would say it most definitely did.

- [Mickey] And a wave of the pompom for one of the young fans in attendance tonight.

- [Rick] And he has the turnover belt.

(spectators cheering) And I'd say very much sure deserved.

And they're dancing in the aisles on the Ramsay side.

- [Mickey] And here is William Murray with the electric co-ops of Alabama extra point attempt.

Good snap.

And he knocks it right through there.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) Back to a two touchdown lead, 34, 20.

(trumpets blaring) (logo whooshing) And we take a look at the intersection.

- [Rick] Well, this is again a streak route and you cannot ball inside.

And you see that as well inside safety right there, right where he is supposed to be.

Easy pickings.

Nice job of taking that thing into the end zone.

Pretty good transition now by the Ramsay defense.

Watch them converge right now and become blockers immediately.

That's really good coaching by the Ramsay coaching staff.

And a nice job by that defense of sudden change.

(spectators cheering) Just a convoy down there and stretches that ball out and in the end zone.

What a nice job by Jermaine Foy, third interception of the year.

- [Mickey] Ramsay defense has picked off Parker Adams twice tonight.

That one by Foy, the first one was by QB Reese.

Now, 10, 42 to play.

Still plenty of time, but back to a 14-point advantage now for Ramsay.

- [Rick] And Lithy, they...

Pretty prolific Charles Henderson passing game just has not shown up with the exception of two long passes.

(whistle blowing) The rest of the night, it's been been tough going.

- [Mickey] And here is William Murray with a kick, a line drive kick down the middle of the field that will be picked up by boy.

And boy, with a good return out across the 35, taken off his feet at about the 37th-yard line as we send it down to the field to check in with Susan Carruthers.

- Hey guys, I went over and visited at the Ramsay sidelines earlier and I met some Ramsay football alumni.

And they were wearing some really big, really silver jewelry.

They tell me it was a turnover belt and a touchdown chain.

The football alumni get to hang onto 'em until it's time to award them to one of the players who gets a touchdown or a turnover.

They've done that several times tonight.

- [Mickey] Man, when she said a turnover chain she wasn't kidding.

(Mickey laughs) (classical big band music) So you get a belt and a chain.

(classical big band music) Yeah.

(logo whooshing).

- [Rick] Well, that's modern football.

- [Mickey] First in 10, here's Charles Henderson back on the field and Coleman slips down.

- [Rick] A little frustration now.

- [Mickey] Actually loses a half yard.

- [Rick] Yeah, I don't know whether he tripped over his quarterback or what but a little bit of frustration showing right now.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] Second down in 11.

(trumpets blaring) I know the only offense they've really had coach, has been too long passes from Adams to Boyd.

That's it.

- [Rick] Yeah, the rest of the night they've had really struggled.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] Second down at 11 they've gotta find some offense here.

Here's Coleman, trying to get outside and can not do so.

Great pursuit down the line by Caleb Patterson, the senior.

- [Rick] Yeah, Patterson came into this game with 15 sacks and you saw his closing speed right there.

And that's gonna be a tackle for loss not a sack, but it's really nice closing speed by that young man.

- [Mickey] It sets up a third in 10.

- [Rick] Well, if there's a must play in football, and there is, this is one of them.

- [Mickey] Adams with a long look now sets up to play three receivers to the wide side of the field.

Now two come in motion to the short side (classical big band music) play clot down to one is a snap at Adams will just take off and run and will get nowhere.

The first defender to get to him for Ramsay was Number 47, Dylan Robinson.

- [Rick] And they had two over three into the boundary meeting.

And they had a one man advantage but the route never really materialized.

Just two short routes and one deep man that was easily covered by the safety and nowhere to go with the ball.

And good closing at the end by the Ramsay defense, as the scramble goes nowhere.

(trumpets blaring) - [Mickey] So here's Nicholas Pearson back up to pump the football.

A good kick and taken by Ramsay's Jamarcus Jones.

Look at the speed Jones.

He's across midfield down the far sideline taken outta bounds at around the 31-yard line.

A dynamic return for Jamarcus Jones.

- [Rick] The Ramsay's special teams have really, really been good tonight.

They've been a big part of this game.

(trumpets blaring) - [Mickey] Nice play there by Jones, the junior.

Outstanding jobs.

We're getting them to look at the punt return.

- [Rick] Yeah, this is a really a nice weaving run right here and a good no block there to keep from a penalty.

Nice block there.

And he hits that same and shows that speed.

- [Mickey] This is Jones.

(spectators cheering) It's kinda odd to see somebody other than Number 2 run the football for.

(whistle blowing) We got a flag on the play.

That was Jaylen Johnson with a nice carry but we've gotta check the flag.

- [Rick] Showed some speed as he get around that edge.

Yeah, I was kinda in a little bit of shock, you don't know what to say at first.

(both Mike and Mickey laughs) - [Mickey] So I said Number 2 looks like number nine now.

- [Rick] Yeah.

- [Mickey] This one's coming back.

(classical big band music) Get the call from the official.

- Here in a run.

Holy.

On the offense, five yards away.

Check that 10 yard penalty.

Replay first there.

- [Rick] I guarantee the guys in blue and white know that if they can knock this one in that would... (whistle blows) - [Mickey] That might be the knockout.

- [Rick] Yeah, that might salt it away.

(trumpets blaring) - [Mickey] First at 16, back at the 37 after they mark off the holding penalty.

Keenan goes deep for Jones, he adjusts, but the pass is incomplete.

(whistle blowing) It was very good coverage on the back end that time by Stefan Mosley.

- [Rick] It's really the first time they've tried Jones deep tonight.

I think we said earlier he had 69 catches coming into this game with 15 TDs.

So certainly, a legitimate target right there, but very well-covered.

- [Mickey] Only the 12th pass attempt of the night for Ramsay.

We mentioned coming into the game that they actually averaged more yards passing per game than rushing but not the case tonight.

- [Rick] No, 195 to 174 but shoot, that 174 was eclipsed pretty quickly by young Number 2.

- [Mickey] And they got all sides by the defense.

(PA system blaring) (spectators chattering) - The part is now.

Encroachment on the defense.

Five yard penalty.

Replay second down.

- [Rick] Now here's how important that is, it's approximately 15 yards to have to get a first down.

Divide that by three.

That means you gotta average five yards a play, right?

Now it's gonna be second down and 10.

Well, that's just a little over three yards.

And that in a game like this- - [Mickey] You think that's doable with Number 2?

- [Rick] I think it probably is.

- [Mickey] They pass it out in the flat and it is complete to Tremel Washington.

Boy, that's a name we haven't called much tonight, coach.

- [Rick] No, not at all.

And this is a three plays in a row that Ashburg has not carried the ball.

Maybe they've gotten bored, I don't know.

And they want to get some other people involved in the offense, but... - [Mickey] Tremel Washington has been a big part of this offense all season but not tonight.

- [Rick] Yeah, I'm not dissing him at all.

I mean, he's done a little bit of everything.

He throws it, runs it, catches it and got three on that plate right there.

So again, I think they're in four down territory, which means they got two chances now to get seven yards.

You think that Ashford is gonna touch the ball in one of those two plays, but we'll see.

- [Mickey] Third down and seven.

And they give it to Ashford.

No, Keenan keeves had everyone fooled including me.

Football came loose at the end.

Was he down or not?

I think the official's gonna rule the runner down at about the 20-yard line.

- [Rick] Yeah well, those linebackers of course they bit like hungry bass on the run fake.

And gee, why would you?

And you see right here, it's close.

(logo whooshing) Keen did a nice job of reading.

I don't know whether he was down when that ball came out or not but looks like we're moving on.

- [Mickey] Right now it is an ALDOT first down.

- [Rick] Looks like they're gonna milk that clock a little bit now.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] Down to 6:20 deploy here in the fourth quarter.

Now it's the give back to Ashford.

Ashford tiptoeing down the sidelines.

You can tell that was a very smart player.

He was trying to stay in bounds but just got a toe out of bounds over there around the 16 yard line.

- [Rick] Yeah, he's not very happy about it either.

Just got a little bit too close to that sideline and hit that boundary.

Stopped the clock at 6:13.

(spectators chattering) Very stoic coach on the sideline.

- [Mickey] Second down in six.

Here's Ashford over that left side.

(spectators cheering) (PA system blaring) We have seen that particular play so many times tonight.

- [Rick] Yeah, we have picked up about five of it.

I believe about a yard short.

He's running off tackle to his left side.

- [Mickey] Got a flag down I believe.

- [Rick] Yes.

I see.

Well, yep.

- [Mickey] That'll be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The initial call against the Trojan defense.

(spectators cheering) So this will move it closer to the goal line, half the distance.

- [Rick] Very inopportune penalty right there.

- [Mickey] Maybe some frustration for Charles Henderson there.

- Dead ball, unsportsmanlike on the defense.

Half of this was to the goal results in a first down.

- [Mickey] And it'll be first goal.

- [Rick] I think you it exactly right, Mickey.

That's a bad time for a penalty like that.

And this is all Ramsay right now.

(whistle blowing) Thanks for up to 42 carries now.

We're gonna let that clock run.

- [Mickey] First at goal at the six.

- [Rick] Let me snap with about four left.

- [Mickey] Here is Ashford.

He is inside the five before his forward progress is stopped at about the three.

- [Rick] Yeah, he is running with about the same speed and power that he did in the first quarter.

I mean, he just keeps right on running.

Let's say say that's mom, or auntie, or grandma, it's one of them.

- [Mickey] It's someone pretty proud of Number 2, that's for sure.

- [Rick] You better believe it.

- [Mickey] I think all of Ramsay is gonna be proud of Number 2 after tonight.

- [Rick] He's put on quite a show.

- [Mickey] Second in goal from just inside the five.

He got another touchdown in him.

Let's see.

They hand it to him.

- [Rick] He does.

- [Mickey] It's a great block.

And he's gonna walk in untouched.

What a touchdown?

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] I'll tell you what, there's a pancake in the play.

I don't know who that was, but he knocked the Charles Henderson defender out of the back of the end zone.

- [Mickey] I believe that was QB Reese blocking there for Ramsay.

It was Number six.

What a block?

You and I saw the same thing.

- [Rick] Yeah, I mean it was slobber knocker.

(spectators cheering) And partner, I think that's gonna do it.

(spectators cheering) - [Man] We're gonna do it on the other side.

- [Man] Yeah.

- [Man] Okay.

(indistinct) - [Mickey] So here is William Murray back out to attempt the extra point as Ramsay has built their largest lead of the game very late in the game.

And the extra point is good.

(spectators cheering) It is a 41 to 20 lead for Ramsay.

We're back to Jordan-Hare Stadium after this timeout.

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- [Announcer] Ramsay ready to go.

- Hey guys, I'm over here on the Charles Henderson sideline.

And I don't know if you notice that coming out of right before the game, Jywon Boyd actually ran out with this jersey, number 10, draped over his chest.

I did some asking around about it and everybody told me this jersey belonged to Squirrel.

So Squirrel was actually Demario Harris, a player for Charles Henderson who passed away on the football field about 10 years ago.

It's a special jersey to the team that stays draped over the bench throughout the whole game.

They actually named the practice field after him this year.

- [Mickey] Wow, thanks a lot Susan.

Very, very touching story there.

- [Rick] Sometimes real life becomes a part of a football season and it's nice that they have honored that young man and kept him with him for 10 years.

- [Mickey] And the lasting impact, number 10, at Charles Henderson.

Department of Human Resources kickoff.

Coming up now for William Murray, it is now a 21-point lead, 445 to go in the five A state championship game.

(spectators cheering and chattering) A line drive kick that is going to sail out of bounds and that'll draw the penalty flight.

- [Rick] Well, 445 left in this year down by three scores.

You're gonna have to open it up and you're gonna have to get some chunk plays.

- [Mickey] There's an update on Ashton Ashford's night, coach.

He is tied a 5A state record with his five rushing touchdowns.

- [Rick] And we ought mention that 281 yards to go with it.

Now, I mean, it's been quite a night and if he gets back out there again he might score another one and break the record.

I told you when those earrings came off now he was getting ready for business.

(trumpets blaring) - [Mickey] He has been the story of this 5A state championship game, no doubt.

And again, he has got great blocking, not just from his offensive grind, but as we saw all that last touchdown he got a great block from a receiver.

- [Rick] Yeah, I mean, he's had an insert blocker that's been effective.

Those wide receivers have blocked very unselfishly.

And they're having a lot of fun on the Ramsay side of the field right now.

(upbeat big band music) - [Mickey] Charles Henderson wanting a penalty for encroachment, didn't get it.

Adams rolling out to his lift, squares and throws.

And the pass is complete, but outta bounds to Khalil Carson.

- [Rick] Yeah.

Again, kind of a breakdown in the play early and it tried to improvise but just ran out of field kind of a half roll rider.

You can see great upfield pressure that's gonna force him back inside and that pursuit comes in.

Lots of white shirts at the end of that play.

(logo whooshing) (drum beats) A nice hit by Caleb Patterson to top it off.

- [Mickey] Parker Adams now only three for nine passing in this game.

(drum beats) And the play clock under five.

(trumpets blaring) Adams throws and it is complete at the 48-yard line on the reception that time.

Stefan Mosley had to move the chance.

(trumpets blaring) - [Rick] Yeah, a little sit down right on the outside perimeter.

Flat defender stayed inside and soft coverage took advantage of it for a nice completion.

(trumpets blaring) - [Mickey] Touch down out at the 48.

(upbeat big band music) Again, getting laid into the play clock.

Gonna have to hurry and get the playoff.

They just do with one second.

Adams under pressure and he's going to be sacked.

That is the high ed sack, high ed transition students into careers.

And that was a nice play there by the Ramsay defense, Demarcus Wynn, on the sack.

- [Rick] Yeah, this is a half roll to the right but a lot of the routes now are working back to the left and there's really not a lot of places to throw.

And Ramsay makes some pay and right up there by Demarcus Wynn to pull that down.

Had 11 sacks coming into this game and he just added to it.

- [Mickey] Second down in 18.

Adams throws and it is too high, looking for Mosley again on the near sideline and it's incomplete.

- [Rick] Yeah, ran that wheel and sat it down again which they had done a couple plays earlier, but a nice drop by the edge defender of that site, Fletcher Taylor, made the ball have to be thrown over him and just too high and ran out of field again.

(spectators chattering) You see a little bit of frustration and a little dejection on the face of Parker Adams.

It's been a frustrating night offensively.

Find a way to pick up 20 yards here and two downs.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Third down in 18.

Ramsay rushes three.

Adams has to step up in the pocket and takes off.

And he's gonna be taken down on a nice defensive play by Ramsay's Markwell Patterson.

That'll bring up fourth down and 10.

- [Rick] That's about as good a three man rush as you can get right here to force the quarterback to pull it and run into just nowhere to go with the ball with eight men dropping, but you got a little space in the middle as well.

You'll give him that six yards to bring up this fourth down.

- [Mickey] And it's gonna be a first down as they're gonna call an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Ramsay defense.

(drum beats) - On the defense, it's gonna be enough for a first down.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] So after the penalty, it'll be first down at the 36-yard line for Charles Henderson.

Another three-man rush.

Adam's pass down field is incomplete.

Second and 10.

- [Rick] Yeah, it looked like he tried to throw a corner out there but there was no corner to throw to.

So both the routes broke to the inside.

- [Announcer] (indistinct) aware that you are not allowed on the field at any time.

- [Mickey] Everything for Charles Henderson with the exception of those two deep balls has just been a struggle.

There's very few clean plays tonight.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] Second and 10.

They rush four.

Adam steps up but he's not gonna be able to get away from the pressure.

Again, a nice defensive play by Ramsay's number 30, Cameron Carson, he set himself a fine game tonight.

- [Rick] Yeah, that's really a great job by him.

One of the things you teach past rushers is when you get as deep as the quarterback be ready to retrace.

And that time Carson did a really, really great job of falling back inside and running that play down from behind.

- [Mickey] So it's third and 10.

(spectators cheering and chattering) Again, Charles Henderson taking a lot of time to get the play in.

Down to five seconds on the play clock.

Adam steps up.

And the pass is nearly intercepted.

Getting a hand on it was James Jones.

- [Rick] He's been very active in that secondary night.

Again, closing inside out on that out cut just outran the ball to the receiver.

We talked a lot about Jywon Boyd.

His night has been a little bit strange in the past receiving department.

Heck, he's got 98 yards receiving, which you think, "Boy, that's excellent."

But it's just on two receptions.

- [Mickey] So here's the game for Charles Henderson, Fourth and 10.

It's four-men rush.

Parker throws down the middle of the field and it is incomplete.

Again, a good job in the secondary.

That time it was Jamarcus Jones getting a hand on it.

- [Rick] And barring something pretty crazy right now which is entirely possible in the Super 7.

That's good night, Irene.

(upbeat big band music) - [Mickey] So Ramsay will take over first in 10 at their own 36.

(logo whooshing) - [Rick] And they can feel it now.

You can see just very well-covered.

Those safeties have done such a good job for Ramsay tonight.

Just have patrolled the middle of a field like champs which is about what they're getting ready to become.

And as we said earlier, the Ramsay's side is having a lot of fun.

(upbeat big band music) (PA system blaring) - [Mickey] So the Ramsay offense comes back out onto the field looking to just run the remaining 2:19 off the clock.

Charles Henderson does have one time out remaining.

And Number 2 is not in the game.

So it looks like the night is done for Ashton Ashford.

- [Rick] I don't know why, he's only had 44 carries.

He should be fresh.

(Mickey laughs) Our guys don't get 44 carries in a career.

- [Mickey] And so Ramsay calls the timeout.

Ronnie Jackson not happy about something.

So he ran out right before the play.

Called the time out.

- [Announcer] Time out on the field, Ramsay.

(players chattering) - [Rick] Now the tailback that is back there is Tremel Washington who has been a jack of all trades.

Big drop off there.

He only averages 9.3 yards of carry.

So running game is still in great hands.

(spectators cheering) (players chattering) There's nothing like winning.

(players and coaches chattering) Those faces on the sideline, they say it all.

(spectators cheering) (whistle blowing) - [Mickey] That's why I couch as couch and my players play.

- [Rick] He's saying, "Come on coach, you can smile now."

- [Mickey] You've talked about how stoic he has looked tonight.

You can see a little bit of a grin trying to break up.

- [Rick] Yeah, he's trying to stay stoic but that inner guy is not gonna let him do it right there.

- [Mickey] First down, here's the give to Washington up the middle for a gain of a couple.

(whistle blowing) (PA sound blaring) - [Rick] And you saw the gentleman from the High school Athletic Association talking with coach.

And that's one of the best conversations you can have.

He's telling him what they're gonna have to do when the game's over.

How to line up.

You don't mind having that conversation.

- [Mickey] Second down in eight.

- [Rick] There are not many things in life better than standing on a sideline knowing that you have won a championship when you've really won every game that you can possibly win to get to the highest level.

That's pretty, pretty special.

- [Mickey] They give it to Washington and again up the middle.

His forward progress will be stopped at the 42 and that'll make it third down and three.

And that clock keeps moving.

- It doesn't look like Charles Henderson is gonna try to stop it.

- [Mickey] By the time they snap it again we'll be under a minute.

(trumpets blaring) (spectators cheering) - [Rick] It's so much fun to look at these sidelines and winning situations.

It's just all the hard work by everybody, players, coaches, but all the support people.

We saw the teachers come out early on the coin toss, parents.

This doesn't happen just because of what happens on the field.

It takes so many things to put all this together.

- [Mickey] And that run by Washington will seal it.

It'll be a first down.

A new set of downs for Ramsay.

And now they could most likely get in the victory formation coach, which all coaches love.

- [Rick] Well, I think the student body has already gotten in the victory formation up in the stands there.

They're having a great time.

(upbeat big band music) - [Mickey] They will be celebrating another state championship tonight for Ramsay again.

They won the 6A state championship back in 2016 and they are just seconds away from the 5A state championship.

- [Rick] Well, and they've played really a great football game.

And they said they were gonna run downhill and they have sure done it.

And there's a little emotion to this too now.

As hired as the interim coach, I think that title has been removed long time ago but winning a state championship is a very, very high plateau that it's not real crowded at the top.

Not a lot of guys get to do that.

- [Mickey] Final snap of the game and that'll do it as the Ramsay Rams (spectators cheering) will be your 5A state championships.

Coach Ronnie Jackson gets the Gatorade bath as his team has come into Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and have knocked off Charles Henderson by a final score of 41 to 20.

And what a night for that young man, Number two, Ashton Ashford.

(spectators cheering) And let the celebrating begin.

(spectators cheering) - [Rick] Well, and you see the emotion right there which is as it as it should be.

(classical big band music) Special night.

(classical big band music) - [Mickey] We will have live coverage of the trophy presentation presented by Google.

That'll be coming up here in just a few moments.

And we also hope to catch up to the winning coach, Ronnie Jackson, here momentarily.

So we will keep it right here at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

- [Rick] Got the handshakes and the hugs and... (classical big band music) - [Mickey] And do you see Coach Jackson making his way over to Susan Carruthers?

(upbeat big band music) And we will send it down to the field, Suzy.

- Coach, that was really exciting.

Tell us how it feels to win a state championship.

- It's still unbelievable.

I can't believe it.

I'm trying not to be too sensitive but I'm so proud of my guys.

We deal with so much adversity every day just by the things they go through but God, but God.

I'm just so thankful.

I'm just so thankful.

- That's awesome.

Well, tell me about Number 2, Ashton Ashford.

- Oh, I told Ashton he's the best running back that came outta Ramsay.

And he said, "Coach, I believe you, I trust in you and I'm gonna make some plays."

And he made plays tonight.

(fireworks popping) I'm so proud of him.

I'm so proud of him.

I can say.

- Well, congratulations coach.

Enjoy this.

- Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I'm just happy.

I thank God.

I just thank all of Ramsay family.

Ramsay Nation community, our Birmingham City, just our administration.

There's just so much love for this school.

And I'm just so thankful that we can bring it back to Birmingham.

- Thanks couch.

- Thank you so much.

- Let's get (indistinct).

- [Mickey] We will step aside for a break and return with the trophy presentation presented by Google.

Ramsay, you're 5A state champions.

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(upbeat music) (upbeat rock music) - [Mickey] And back at Jordan-Hare Stadium Pat Dye Field in Auburn.

And here's a look at the Super 7 schedule presented by Children's of Alabama.

We just put a wrap on all three championship games today.

The 5A state championship goes to Ramsay.

Earlier today it was St. James knocking off Piedmont in the 3A championship game.

And the 1A game, Leroy defeating Pickens County 42 to 20.

Then coach, tomorrow we've got three more big Super 7 state championship games coming up.

- [Rick] Yeah, we really do.

Cherokee County, Andalusia.

I mean, great running backs on both sides that'll be a lot of fun to see.

Fyffe versus BB Comer is a very interesting matchup as well.

And then the finale Mountain Brook and Saraland, two distinctly different styles.

Should be a big Friday.

If you like the stretch plays Mountain Brook is for you.

Saraland maybe is gonna feature maybe the best player in the state of Alabama.

So lots to look forward to, it is been interesting to me.

If you look at all those scores that we've had, they're remarkable be the same.

I mean, the games have been not the nice of teeth clench fish down to the wire type of championship games.

There's been one team either right off the bat or later in the game that has really kind of taken control of the game and refused to let go.

And we've seen some great individual performances as well.

And of course, tonight would rank up there with the best of of 'em with with Ashford's 281 yards.

I mean, just really an outstanding night.

(spectators chattering) - [Mickey] And we are getting set for the trophy presentation and the ceremony presented by Google, things are getting set up down on the field.

- [Rick] Just a word about Charles Henderson season's with Hambrite.

Remember this team was two and eight last year.

And this is a lot further than anybody thought that they would go, is as we pan and back to Charles Henderson.

So lot to be proud of on both sides of the field.

Of course, Ramsay very deservedly is gonna take home the state championship, but both sides have lots to be proud of tonight.

- [Announcer] The awards will be presented by the AHSAA Central Board of Control.

Central board member Chad Markham representing Ramsay, and central board member Jeff Torrance representing Charles Henderson.

Also assisting in the presentation of today's awards as John Whitton from Jack's and William King from Coca-Cola.

The official Wilson Championship footballs will be presented by Jack Whitton from Jack's and Brandon Dean, director of Alabama high school athletic directors and coaches associations to both head coaches.

First from Charles Henderson High School, head coach Quinn Hambrite.

(spectators cheering) Now, from Ramsay High School, head coach Ronnie Jackson.

(spectators cheering and applauding) (spectators chattering) Congratulations to both coaches for a great season.

(spectators cheering) Now, presenting the most valuable player award, William King from Coca-Cola and JT Lawrence, assistant director of the AHSAA.

The 2022 most valuable player award for the Class 5A championship is given to Ashton Ashford from Ramsay High School.

(spectators cheering) And now to present the 2022 state runner up trophy for Class 5A, central board member Jeff Torrance from district two and Kim Vickers, associate executive director of the AHSAA.

The 5A state championship runner up led by head coach Quinn Hambrite, the Charles Henderson Trojan.

(spectators cheering) And now to present the 2022 state championship trophy for class 5A is Alvin Briggs, Executive Director of the AHSAA and central board member Chad Markham.

From the State Department of Education to Ronnie Jackson, head coach of the Ramsay Rams.

(spectators cheering) Congratulations to the 5A state champion Ramsay Rams.

(spectators cheering) - [Mickey] And for the second time in school history, Ramsay state champions tonight, your 5A state champions with a 41 to 20 victory over Charles Henderson.

Coach, your final thoughts on this game.

- [Rick] Well, I'll tell you, it was a big night for the running game and coach said at halftime we're gonna get downhill and boy, they did.

They rode the strong legs of Ashton Ashford for 281 yards.

And how about that offensive line?

- [Mickey] Yes.

- [Rick] And a really, really good defensive performance as well.

Just a great win and congratulations to the champs.

- [Mickey] Everyone in this stadium knew pretty much who was getting the ball every time and they just could not be stopped tonight.

- [Rick] Well, just a great combination of speed, power, and that ability to miss by the smallest margin and get upfield was really, really special that they had tonight.

And the end result is a blue map that it's gonna go to Birmingham, Alabama.

- [Mickey] And that'll wrap up our coverage of the 5A state championship game for Rick Rhodes and our entire crew tonight.

Thanks for tuning in.

Congratulations to the Ramsay Rams winners tonight over Charles Henderson state championship for Ramsay High School.

Coming up next, it is the AmFirst Post-game Show.

So we continue with our live coverage from Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn, Alabama.

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But all of that powerful information needs a really powerful home.

A data center like this world class facility, we invested $600 million to build right here in Alabama.

But keeping the world's information at your fingertips isn't all we do.

Our data center supports thousands of jobs.

We provide resources to our community and generate more than a billion dollars for the state economy.

We're doing our part for a better Alabama because Alabama is our home too.

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Several generous sponsors step forward to help make APTs statewide broadcast of the Alabama Super 7 championships possible.

Now, I'd like to ask for your financial support as well.

Call 1-800-239-4000 or give online@aptv.org to help us bring you even more special programming in 2023, including the state basketball championships in February and March.

Thank you.

- Be a great coach.

We need you.

- Our kids need you.

- Motivate them.

- Challenge them.

- Inspire them.

- Pay attention and know the facts.

- Every injured youth is a loss.

- So let this be our goal.

- Our collaborative goal.

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- Our name is our mission.

- Coach safely.

(whistle blowing) - It's the mission.

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- Coach safely, win without losses.

(soft music) - [Announcer] You're watching Alabama Public Television, broaden your horizons.

(soft upbeat music) - [Announcer] This is the AmFirst Post-game Show.

(upbeat rock music) - Kevin Scarbinsky back with you on the AmFirst Post-game Show.

We have just crowned another state champion, the Ramsay Rams, your 5A state champions running away, and I mean running away from Charles Henderson in the second half for a 41 to 20 victory.

We're joined by Jack Williams from Alabama Public Television, the governmental affairs manager for APT.

- Yes.

- Jack, quite a performance we just witnessed.

- Wow, Ashton Ashford, what a man.

He ran crazy tonight.

- It's one of the most extraordinary individual performances we've seen by a running back.

Jack, the last time I saw a running back in this stadium carry more than 40 times for almost 300 yards, that dude went on to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and he's still wreaking havoc in the NFL.

And by the way, his name was Derek Henry.

- I've heard of him.

(Kevin laughs) And supposed gonna be hearing about this guy on Saturdays in the next few years.

- Well, and he's got another year left in high school.

Ashton Ashford, the junior for Ramsay.

Listen to these numbers.

44 carries, 281 yards and count him five touchdowns compared to Derek Henry's big day here when he had 46 carries for 271 yards and only one touchdown.

- That's a better yards for carry average.

- What kind of a pedestrian is Derek Henry?

He's gotta step up to keep up with Ashton Ashford in this stadium.

- And it was so interesting.

Coach Ronnie Jackson had a chance to visit with him, leading into the game.

And he said, Ashton, he always saw that he could be special, but he wasn't quite ready for the big moment.

He wasn't sure that he was doing the extra work in the weight room, that he was putting in the extra time.

But when he decided to do that work, he was gonna see the results.

And I think everyone saw the results tonight.

- We all saw it tonight, Kevin.

That was a tremendous performance.

- It really was.

And you have to be happy for Ramsay.

They didn't play football for 36 years.

They brought the sport back in 2012 and in the last decade, they have now won two state championships.

They won it in 2016 and of course, they got it done again tonight.

- Well, as we've seen at the high school and the collegiate level, these programs, these athletic programs, the football programs, they unite communities.

- They really do.

(spectators cheering) And Charles Henderson has done the same in Troy.

They should walk out of here with their heads held high.

Think about this, last year they went two and eight and this year they made it all the way to the state championship game.

And there were moments in the second quarter and particularly, in the third quarter when it looked like they were about to get back in the game and maybe flip the script, flip the momentum, but then Ramsay would get the ball and they would hand it to Ashton Ashford and they would hand it to Ashton Ashford and they would hand it again to Ashton Ashford.

- Couple of turnovers that really broke the back of Charles Henderson.

- A very big interception, deep in Henderson territory, really kind of that it kind of choked off the last true hope that the Trojans had.

- And we've seen that over the last couple days, that turnovers have stalled several potential comebacks over the last two days.

- And it's funny to hear Coach Bill Clark has been with us much of the day and he harps on it and harps on it.

Turnovers will get you, they will come back to bite you inevitably almost every time.

And it happened as you said Jack again and again today.

- But there's some just tremendous individual efforts on both sides of the ball.

If you're playing in Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend, you've got nothing to be embarrassed about.

No matter what happen.

- [Kevin] Absolutely.

- You've been a success this season.

- Well, I'll tell you what's also been a success has been Alabama Public Television bringing the Super 7 to viewers across the entire state of Alabama on over the air networks.

It's so exciting to see what APD has done.

And we're gonna throw it, I think, to the Post-game press conference with the 5A state champions, the Ramsay Rams.

(logo whooshing) - [Man] (indistinct).

- [Lady] Which is fair, right.

- Okay, we sound everybody ready?

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce 2022 press 5A state champions.

Coach Jackson, if you will make any opening comments and then we'll open up the questions.

Congratulations State champions.

- Thank you.

Just on behalf of our principal, Dr. Walker and our administration, I think Charles Henderson was a great team.

Shout out to their coach.

They did an unbelievable job.

This year has been really, really special.

I have a really good group, and I'm so thankful for these guys.

So that's really all I have to say right now.

I'm just so thankful.

- [Moderator] Thanks for coach of players.

Okay, Josh.

- [Josh] Ronnie, it was obvious you guys were gonna hand it to this guy at any time just he could carry.

You just talked to us about the game plan and why you guys felt like that could be affected 'cause there was no deception involved.

- Yes sir.

Yes sir.

We have a really dynamic group of receivers and we knew all this year that if they could make plays for us, but we knew that this guy right here, he kinda carried the load when the playoff started.

And we just been riding him the whole entire time and he did come to me and he said, "Coach, I got you.

I trust you."

And he showed us tonight, he played ball.

- [Moderator] Other question.

Go ahead.

One here, don't go here.

- [Interviewer] Ashton, did you get tired?

- No sir.

- [Interviewer] And what was it like for you in the game?

- Man, it was big for me, like I trusted my old line.

I trusted my coach to put the ball in my hands.

And I just (indistinct).

- [Moderator] Got a question back here.

- [Interviewer] Coach, Caleb Patterson was saying how you guys don't have all the advantages of some other schools.

- Correct.

- [Interviewer] Big wave rooms.

You gotta take a bus to practice.

- Yes sir.

- [Interviewer] He was overcome with the motion.

He said only made a strong early mid is better.

Can you talk about the resolve of these guys that they were able to put in more work and had to go the extra mile to win the same title.

- That's why I love this group so much because again, I try to tell 'em in life we're gonna have some rough times, there're gonna be times where you're gonna have to lean on him and to make it through.

And just the perseverance from our guys, of course, at Ramsay it's an academic school.

We make sure they hold our academics at a high level.

And so our football situation is just a little different.

We do not have our own field, don't have a field house and all these things.

So we do have a little meeting room that we turn into a weight room because there was a fire in our weight room in the gym.

And so we had that little small thing, but I told these guys, "Just trusting him and the small things, we can't be worried.

We can't worry about it."

And it shows the character of these kids.

So I'm just so proud of we don't complain about what we don't have, we're just thankful for what we do have.

- [Interviewer] Question right here.

Did the players, I mean, you just coach, kind of break down what this means to him, part of the program for you guys kind of going through it and kind of living through it.

What does it mean to you kind of have that?

- Well, first I want to say is, I'm kind of like, I don't know how to feel about it but I mean work is work.

I mean, we had time to put work in, we just put it in.

We don't complain to none of that.

We just put work in, that's it.

- [Interviewer] (indistinct).

- You came every day prepared to put work in weight room, dominated our position on the field and we got the outcome we wanted.

- I'll just say even though we don't have the same resources that everybody else, it's the same thing.

Weight room, weight's gonna move at the same rate the other weight gonna move.

It might be nicer, but weight gonna move regardless.

We still gotta feel, we still gonna get to a place where we can work out at run stadiums, every practice.

It don't matter.

We gonna work regardless... My fault.

Regardless of the outcome, we gonna work.

- [Moderator] Other question we want hear.

- [Interviewer] QB from a defensive standpoint, what was it like watching Ashton log all those carries tonight?

- This is my brother.

We compete all day at practice.

We might fight sometimes at practice, but I know in the game I got his back, he got my back.

And I just always have faith in it no matter what.

(machine whirring) - [Moderator] Other questions.

- [Interviewer] Yeah.

Can I ask for all of you guys, if you can go down the line just, oh, what has this team meant to you and now knowing you get to kind of cement this whole team with the state championship?

- Okay, I'll say last year, starting off last year, well, 2020 season, we went 13, no and loss.

So then we had to regroup a whole team, we ended up going six and six.

So now this year we knew it was our year.

We knew we was losing last year, but now we was developed and we was ready to do what we doing now.

And so now I feel like we come together as a brotherhood and just play and play as a team and as a family.

- Well, I was gonna say, I'm proud of our team of how we executed every play, executed opposition, executed the plays we ran and just dominated the game.

And I'm just so proud 'cause we stuck with it even at our hard times.

We still came out and was ready to play.

Even when we was losing in the games, we came out ready to play in the second half, and I'm just proud.

- Well, I just love how my team finished.

I love 'em so much, I mean so much.

And I just love 'em.

And I think I just (indistinct).

- [Moderator] Other questions, one here then what.

- [Interviewer] Coach, they finally stopped y'all down there on fourth down.

- Yes sir.

- [Interviewer] And looked like all right, well, now this might be their chance.

Then the first play you get the interception.

- (indistinct) talk about that play and what you saw that kind of was awesome.

- It just shows again, the maturity of our group, they're so resilient.

And I think it's just a testament of what we do go through.

And so we don't let anything weigh us down, we don't get upset about anything.

And (indistinct) for me, 'cause I don't really get upset about anything.

I know he has my back all day long.

And so they know that I don't care how bad it looks, it is gonna be a better outcome.

And they showed it throughout the whole playoff.

We've been down against leads.

We were down against Pleasant Grove and we wouldn't a half.

And I was just like, "Fellas we're good."

And when they showed it, so.

Again, when we went down, we just knew that we'll find a way to make a play and we found, we always find a way to make a play.

And that's been happening all year.

- [Interviewer] (indistinct) here.

Ashton absolutely dominated performance, not even just in the championship, but in the playoffs.

You had a five touchdown performance, make us in 5A.

Just talk about your performance today and just overall what does it mean for you to actually get this team in the playoffs.

Like it's been not only the defense but you, of course, being that guy.

- It did for me.

But first I really wanna thank my whole line.

They made the way for me.

They opened holes to me, I hit 'em and I scored.

I thank my coach for putting the ball in my hands throughout the whole playoff.

They believed in me and I made the job.

I got the job done.

- [Moderator] Couple more questions, I'm gonna let 'em celebrate with your team.

Other questions?

Well, coach, listen, we're gonna let you go celebrate with your teams.

Congratulations.

- Appreciate it.

Thank you all so much.

(indistinct chattering) - Sir congratulations.

Great guys, great season.

These are for y'all.

- [Man] Yeah, okay.

- Hi, I'm Lionel Richie and I have traveled all over the world, but I consider Tuskegee, Alabama as my home suite home.

I have such a pride in this stage and I know that there's something I need to tell you that's of great importance.

Vote.

Register to vote and get your voter ID today.

It really is easy, easy like Sunday morning.

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(upbeat rock music) - We're back here on the AmFirst Post-game Show.

We just witnessed a dominating performance by the Ramsay Rams, the 41 to 20 victory over Charles Henderson to capture the 5A state championship trophy.

We just heard from the Ramsay contingent in the Post-game Show.

And what really struck me, Jack Williams, was the emotion of Coach Ronnie Jackson.

- Yeah, yes.

Obviously, he's got a deep connection, emotional connection with his team, and he's kept those guys going under difficult circumstances.

And I was impressed with what Ashton said about his trust and his offensive line.

Every time he talked, he gave a shout out to his old line.

And when you've rushed for 280 yards, you need to be shouting out to your old line, so.

- You could just see the bond among those guys.

And I can remember talking to coach about Ashton and he lit up.

He had a big smile on his face.

He's so proud of the progress he's made to get to this point, and what it meant to the Ramsay community again.

They don't have all the advantages that some other programs do, but they've got it done.

Two national championships since 2016.

- Good teams work together, great teams love one another.

- Absolutely, we're gonna throw it to the Post-game for the Charles Henderson Trojans.

(logo whooshing) - [Man] (indistinct) and we'll go for questions.

- Yes sir.

Oh man, nobody in this room besides these four men up here thought we would be in this situation.

Not a soul.

The amount of joy I have that these men beside me have fought through adversity this entire season.

I can't be more proud of 'em.

Can't be more proud of 'em.

Parker, Phil General, does an excellent job.

Jywon Boyd, who I still deem as the best player in 5A.

Damien Hart, last name says it all, heart and soul, the defense, heart and soul of this team.

This senior class has led us to where we are now, and we're gonna build on that.

We're going to build on it.

Can't be more proud of these guys.

I love 'em to death.

- [Moderator] Good question for coach or players.

Thank you.

- [Interviewer] Coach, obviously, I talked to you earlier this year, two and eight last year.

Like you mentioned earlier, nobody thought you guys would be here.

Just kind of talk, obviously not the way you want it to end, but just kind of talk about just building on this and keep rolling like you said, you still have a young team moving forward.

- Yeah.

Of course, losing Damien and losing Mario, Clay Scott, hurts us on defense.

I'm a little bit offensively Cleo, Stephan Mosley and our two old linemen.

But the bulk of our touchdowns and the bulk of our teams coming back and the foundation that Amy and his senior class has set, the standard they've set for 'em.

I think we can go nowhere but up.

Parker, he'll be back next year.

Jywon, he'll be back next year.

Zack will be back next year.

Three fifths of our old line will be back next year.

Zion Grady.

The foundation that these guys have set, the standard that they've set right now, Detroit community should be proud and Detroit community should expect a lot more for the upcoming years.

- [Moderator] You have question here for our seniors.

- [Interviewer] You mentioned the seniors, what have they meant to the program?

- Everything.

when I came in, they were juniors.

I'm honestly all they knew was three and seven, one and eight, two and eight last year.

So they bought in.

They bought in.

We bought in some great coaches who helped us tremendously in the weight room, man.

Its just all those things, man.

They believe.

If they didn't believe we wouldn't be in the situation.

It's hard to get here without senior leadership.

And they believed, they believed that we can do it.

We came a short.

- [Moderator] Right here, Josh.

- [Josh] When it was pretty obvious early in the game that they were gonna run it and run it and run it and make you guys stop 'em.

What made them so effective with their running game today?

- We have an undersized front.

There's no excuse.

We've been fitting, we've been coming down here all year.

There's no excuse.

They just executed better up front.

I mean, that's the (indistinct) period.

- [Interviewer] Question for the players or coach.

You players, obviously last year y'all went two and eight to 10 and two.

Can you describe what that means to you guys to be a part of building this program back from two and eight to 12 and two and reaching the state finals?

- [Man] What if you pass that down.

- Here you go.

- Okay.

I went two and eight last year.

One and eight, the year before three and seven my freshman year.

I knew it was time for a change.

I knew that Charles Henderson was way better than a three and seven, one in eight, two and eight.

We were better than that and that we proved it with 12 and two.

Can't say anything else about that.

Everyone talks about senior leadership.

There was a lot of senior leaders, but you're looking at two right here.

These are leaders of your offense.

You know what I'm saying?

These two right here, when something needed to get done, they want it.

They didn't hesitate.

They're respectful.

And I can be more proud of these two sitting next to me.

You know what I'm saying?

And I love y'all boys.

I really do.

And I hate, I never get to suit up with y'all again.

- [Moderator] Other questions.

Thank you.

- [Interviewer] Damien, what do you think your seniors, the legacy you guys will leave back on this program?

- Some legends, you know what I'm saying?

Hopefully, we can leave a legacy where it just builds and builds and builds.

And if that happens then this will be a successful season.

If we can build off of this, it would be a successful season.

- [Man] You've got a question back here.

- [Interviewer] Jywon, obviously, not the way you guys want it in the season, but as a junior, you've still got one year left.

What's the sting of losing this game gonna be motivation wise for you this off season to be on the winning side of this comes 2023?

- Only thing I can really say is we just gonna have to build off this super, like build off this a lot 'cause it's not a good feeling coming to state, and putting all that work in through the season and coming up short.

So I feel like this just gonna drive everybody insane next year.

And we just gonna take everything way crazier and more serious and just bring it.

Hopefully, we can bring the blue map next year.

We coming back for it.

- [Interviewer] You won't procrastinate too?

- [Interviewer] Yeah.

Parker, you can answer.

- [Moderator] Can you repeat the question please?

- [Interviewer] Just the sting of this moment coming up just short how's that gonna motivate you guys going into the next season with it being your senior year next year?

- Well, just losing the game in general was pretty hurt and I threw two picks, which I take most of the blame for, like the offense playing how they did.

And that's just feels like a knife in the stomach.

And so I'm gonna just use it for motivation all throughout the summer, all throughout the spring and just work harder than I ever have and hopefully come back 10 times better than I've ever played before.

- [Moderator] Other question.

- [Interviewer] For the players, just what has Coach Hambrite meant to you?

It's his second season and obviously a huge turnaround for you guys what has he meant to you guys as a coach in developing?

- He's been a great coach for us.

He brings the energy.

He lets us have fun, but he's serious.

He's a great coach when he needs to be.

And he just makes it fun.

And for you to have fun playing football is everything.

And when you have fun you play good.

So that's how Coach Hambrite is.

- [Moderator] Jwon, you wanna talk about that fun?

- Coach Hambrite is a big child.

He is really one of us.

And I couldn't be more grateful to have him as my head coach.

And I just feel like he got so much in common with us like his humor.

I feel like he's smiling right now and you wanna look at him.

I just love him so much man.

He does so much for us.

That's it.

I just love him.

- I forever owe this man for bringing me to a AHSAA state championship.

I have never experienced this in my life and I never thought I would.

He's meant the world for real.

He came in when we were a team that needed something new and he came in, he didn't look at our... Of course he looked at our record, but he tried to look past it and he looked past it.

Even last year when that two and seven, he told me it wouldn't happen again.

Made a mistake.

Nothing to hang your head on.

- [Moderator] More questions?

- [Interviewer] Damien.

How, difficult is it when they're just handing the ball off to that same guy 44 times and getting four yard, five yards or whatever?

- No, it's like a punch in the face every time he touches it, for real.

'Cause they knew we couldn't stop him.

And credit to him.

I'm not gonna say that Boyd was bad, none of that.

He was a doug.

I'll give him that.

But we definitely could have played better.

We definitely could have played better.

It's tough when same thing happened over and over again and nothing you can do to stop it, even though you're trying your hardest.

But I can't go back, you know what I'm saying?

Time machines don't exist yet, I don't think.

If they did I'd hop right in one, try something new.

But next year that won't happen.

It won't never happen again.

- [Moderator] Other questions?

- [Interviewer] Coach, I think y'all had a...

This was great interview guys.

Congratulations on y'all.

(logo whooshing) - If that doesn't inspire you, what we just witnessed and heard from those young men, and when I say young men, I include Coach Quinn Hambrite as well.

That was as inspiring a collection of coaches and athletes and players as we've ever seen.

- Look at the amazing turnaround three years ago, three wins, one year, one win the next year, two wins last year.

Kevin, this year they doubled their win total from the three previous years.

- That's almost unheard of.

And Coach Hambrite told me when we visited last week that the reason they were two and eight last year, his first year at Charles Henderson is because those guys were freshmen, they were sophomores, they hadn't had enough time in the weight room, they weren't ready, they weren't ready to be varsity football starters.

But that experience, as painful as it was at the time, paid dividends this year.

And the bond, you can't describe a bond any stronger than they demonstrated for each other.

- Good teams work well together.

Great teams love one another.

Those guys, there's love in those locker rooms.

- When young, Mr. Hart, the linebacker, he may be running the state one day, he may be governor one day.

He was so thoughtful and it was so genuine and authentic.

His feeling for his senior teammates when he said, "I hate that I'm never going to get to put this uniform on with you guys again."

That hit me in the heart.

- And when he talked about your Coach Hambrite bringing him to an A-H-A-S All High Athletic Association Final.

That's a memory that'll last a lifetime.

- This event, what we've witnessed over the last two days, five games, the girls flag championship, the 7A championship today, classes one, three, and five.

One amazing story, one inspirational moment after another, Jack, I know Alabama Public Television has gotta feel excited to be able to bring this across the state.

- And three more tomorrow.

Three more tomorrow.

- And we are not done.

- And Kevin, thank you.

You're used to being on this side of the... And someone pitching to you.

You've done a great job hosting this.

And we're thrilled to be associated with you.

And thank you.

Take us outta here.

- Thank you, Jack.

We're gonna go ahead and do a break here on the AmFirst Post-game Show.

We'll come back with some highlights from the day from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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