Week 1 Highlights & Reviews: The Wrap Up

<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-188059" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/Prep-Redzone-Graphics-Football555-1-300x172.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="172" /></p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 started off with everything imaginable with an extra touch of Classic. Week 1 started Thursday for all classes of AHSAA. Games spread throughout the state from AISA AA, 1A-7A, only giving a great glimpse of what this season will have for us. Reality hit a Birmingham area team after canceling their first game due to Covid policies. New coaches are set in spot and new players are on the scene. This week 1 wrap up will cover 6 areas in Alabama breaking down games and players that made an impact.<br /><br />Defending 4A Champions <strong>Handley Tigers</strong> opened their season in the Kickoff Classic held at Crampton Bowl in Montgomery. Handley, traveling 100 miles to host the<strong> Guntersville Wildcats</strong> who traveled well over 150 miles didn’t make Guntersville travel so pleasant. Both teams are stout and will have tremendous seasons and because of that look for those players to make those tremendous plays. Handley came out on top 55-21. Handley scored the first touchdown of the season after Sophomore quarterback Cannon Kyles rolls out to his right to connect with his slot receiver Jordan West on an out route breaking a tackle taking it 15 yards in. Cannon Kyles finished with an almost perfect game throwing 9-10 for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 1 TD. Defense was able to contribute when Brian Joiner strips for a fumble and returns it for 6. After scoring 14 in the first 7 minutes of the game, Handley never let up and held Guntersville to 1 first down in the first half. Guntersville QB [player_tooltip player_id="127668" first="Cole" last="McCarty"] finished 7-16 for 130 yards and a touchdown. That just wasn’t enough compared to 8 different Handley players to score touchdowns Thursday night. No need to say Handley could yet again be a contender led by young Sophomore Cannon Kyles.<br /><br />30 miles Northeast from Montgomery, these teams battle out in a cross-town rivalry. <strong>Tallassee</strong> traveled 9 miles to visit <strong>Reeltown</strong>. Tallassee had other plans in mind and that was to take over the game. It was the [player_tooltip player_id="126056" first="Jalyn" last="Daniels"] show as the young QB took a drive to the red zone to lead him to a 15 yard run using his quick ball carrier vision and feet finding his way to the 5-yard line to set up for their first touchdown. Defense hounded Reeltown and snatched for a fumble and took it all the way for 6. Not letting Reeltown set and gain confidence, Daniels explodes again this time from Reeltown’s 10 scoring a 90-yard rushing touchdown only having to break thru the defensive line, Daniels speed and acceleration cruised him right pass the second level into the zone. He wasn’t finished with the Jalyn show just yet, 3rd qtr [player_tooltip player_id="126056" first="Jalyn" last="Daniels"] breaks a few tackles and finds nothing but sideline and green grass for the next 40 yards. To finish the game Daniels was able to convert on a 4th down and he following play a touchdown. That would seal it for the Tallassee Tigers winning 34-13.<br /><br />Saturday, two Montgomery city schools battle it out. <strong>Sidney Lanier</strong> and <strong>Jeff Davis.</strong><br />Lanier was on the board first after forcing and recovering a fumble. Lanier set up a drive and was able to rush in for their first td if the season. Jeff Davis didn’t waste any time and special teams became a factor returning a kick for 90 yards extra point no good. Lanier found their way into the end zone a second time. Now up 13-6 Sidney Lanier looks to capitalize and throws an interception. It wasn’t much left in Jeff Davis catalog in the 26-6 finish.<br /><br />AISA-AA ball in Prattville consisted of <strong>Autauga Academy</strong> to host <strong>Tuscaloosa Academy</strong>. <br />Tuscaloosa Academy new coach Josh Wright brought his Knights to Prattville as the fourth coach in school history. Head Coach Bobby Carr and his Generals weren’t too kind on their welcome never trailing and finishing string 40-9. Autauga had a pair of transfers they were excited to debut Qb Robert Rose and defensive lineman O’Ronde Henderson added to the teams big gain. Playing condition was messy but after mishandled snaps and attempts to pass, Rose was able to get tosses out to his shifty running back Karl Ligon for two touchdowns in the first half. Senior running back Ligon has wonderful size, able to line up at wide receiver and stretch the field, Ligon is never easy to take down. After success in the run game, it almost came easy to now go to the play- action game. Rose was able to connect with his receivers for short gains to warm up the arm. With offense contributing and gaining their confidence it was left on the defense to make the key big stops to seal the deal. That came right on time when linebacker Josh Thomas kept bringing the pressure keeping TA quarterback from making big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->