Football: Thrash, Bates carry Fyffe to a 31-6 win over Lanett in Class 2A quarterfinals

FYFFE, Alabama –Trent Thrash ran for 112 yards and scored two touchdowns and Levi Bates added 100 yards on nine carries, including a 51-yard touchdown run, as Class 2A No. 4 Fyffe beat mistake prone No. 2 Lanett 31-6 in the quarterfinals at Long-Ridgeway Stadium.

The Red Devils played ball control and gained 277 yards rushing on 39 carries. They also did not have any turnovers or penalties.

Fyffe (12-1) will host Tanner (12-1) next week in the Class 2A semifinals with the winner advancing to the Super 6 Championships at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Fyffe has won 12 consecutive games since losing its season-opener 20-13 to Geraldine. The Red Devils have scored 31 points in 11 of 12 wins

With his performance against Lanett, Thrash is only eight yards away from breaking his brother Taylor Thrash’s career rushing record. Trent Thrash has gained 4,312 yards in his career. Taylor had 4,320 in his career.

Lanett (12-1) moved the ball consistently during the game, but five turnovers plus a blocked punt hurt the Panthers. They threw four interceptions, with two passes picked off by Fyffe's Will Brown.

Marlon Bridges led the Panthers with 106 yards on 21 carries and scored a 3-yard touchdown. Bridges finished the season with more than 2,100 yards rushing. Jamarious Barrow added 61 yards on 12 carries.

Fyffe coach Paul Benefield praised his team's performance.

“We played outstanding football tonight and played with a lot of energy,” Benefield said. “This win is actually beyond my expectations. We played our most complete game in all phases of the game. Even in special teams since we blocked a punt to start the game.

"They (Lanett) are good, their No. 4 (Bridges) is one of the best backs we have played this season. Our offensive line just wore them down as the game progressed. The line is young as we have three sophomores and two juniors. We have three very good backs and the pounded the ball tonight. Our defense tackled well, especially Dakota Newsome."

The Red Devils blocked a punt on the Panthers' opening drive and recovered it at the 30-yard line. Five plays later Thrash scored his first touchdown on a 1- yard plunge to put Fyffe ahead 7-0.

Lanett countered with a 68-yard drive capped by Bridges 3-yard scoring run, but the two-point conversion failed.

Russell Moses kicked a 27-yard field with only 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter to increase the Red Devils' lead to 10-6.

After a Will Brown interception return to the 49-yard line, Bates raced 51 yards on the next play to increase the Red Devils' lead to 17-6 with 8:57 remaining in the first half.

Brown intercepted his second pass with 1:29 remaining. After a 34-yard run by Thrash, quarterback Will Mashburn scored from 1-yard out to increase the Red Devils' lead to 24-6 with 34 seconds in the first half.

Brown suffered a shoulder injury late in the first half and his playing status against Tanner is doubtful.

Midway through the third quarter, the second crucial special teams mistake by the Panthers led to the Red Devils' final score. On fourth down, a high snap to the punter resulted in a pass from the end zone intercepted by Bates, who returned it to the Panthers' 13.

Three plays later Thrash bulled in from 3 yards out to complete the scoring.

"We host Tanner next week and everyone knows how tough they are," Benefield said. "Our community support has been terrific and we need another big crowd here next week.”