Friday Night Spotlight: Big Stops and Big Kicks Across AL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alabama high school football delivered a thrilling Friday night filled with game-changing defensive plays and clutch special-teams moments. From relentless linebackers wreaking havoc in the backfield to a kicker drilling a jaw-dropping 55-yard field goal, athletes across the state showed they can decide games in every phase. Hard hits, timely turnovers, and momentum-swinging kicks kept fans on their feet from start to finish. This week's standouts not only filled the stat sheet but also proved their ability to step up when the pressure was at its peak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Damonte Tabb","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"195","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Thompson High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d54fe8d2f57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Damonte Tabb turned in a lockdown performance for Thompson in their matchup against Vestavia Hills, finishing with 10 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. The senior defensive back played with relentless energy, flying downhill to shut down the run and limit big plays on the perimeter. His physical tackling and quick reads allowed him to consistently disrupt offensive rhythm. Tabb's ability to close space and make secure stops in the open field gave the Warriors a reliable presence in critical moments. Performances like this showcase his versatility as both a coverage defender and a force in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1902424"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d54fe8d2fbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1902424' first='Dagan' last='Jones'] dominated on every level of the field, posting an incredible stat line of 11 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in a statement win over Robertsdale. Jones consistently lived in the backfield, blowing up blocking schemes and creating havoc for the opposing offense. His combination of speed, strength, and relentless pursuit made him nearly impossible to contain. Each sack and forced fumble shifted momentum in Fairhope's favor, proving his ability to be a true game-wrecker. This performance cements Jones as one of the most disruptive linebackers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Blake Battle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"196","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sparkman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d54fe8d3060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blake Battle anchored Sparkman's defense with a steady and physical performance, tallying 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. His sharp instincts allowed him to diagnose plays quickly and meet ball carriers in the hole. Battle's ability to shed blockers and finish tackles kept the opposing offense off balance all night. The fumble recovery highlighted his awareness and ability to capitalize on turnovers. His consistent production provides Sparkman with a dependable leader at the heart of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212200"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d54fe8d30b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='212200' first='Tristan' last='Lyles'] made his presence felt in the trenches, recording 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack against Enterprise. He showed excellent strength at the point of attack, collapsing pockets and disrupting the run game throughout the night. Lyles' quick first step allowed him to gain leverage and create pressure that forced hurried decisions by the quarterback. His ability to both plug gaps and generate pass rush proved crucial in limiting Enterprise's offensive rhythm. Lyles continues to be a cornerstone of Central-PC's defensive front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grant Thompson ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fairhope High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d54fe8d3158"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grant Thompson provided a perfect night for Fairhope's special teams, converting 5-of-5 extra points and drilling two field goals, including a booming 55-yarder. His ability to connect from deep range gave Fairhope a valuable scoring weapon whenever drives stalled. Thompson's consistency and composure under pressure ensured Fairhope capitalized on every scoring opportunity. The 55-yard kick not only electrified the crowd but also showcased college-level leg strength. His performance reinforced why a reliable kicker can be a game-changer in tight matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->