Karson Green and Jarel Williams hooked up on a 38-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game, then connected again from 53 yards out in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach as sixth-ranked Class 6A Saraland rolled to a 35-13 win over No. 3 Blount on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Spartans continued their impressive offensive performance this season. Through three games against traditional defensive stalwarts Theodore, McGill-Toolen and Blount, Saraland is averaging 39.7 points per game.
The defense, led by junior tackle Trevon McAlpine, was also up to the task against an explosive Blount offense.
“That’s the toughest game we’ve played this year,” McAlpine said. “It was a dog fight. But I was just doing what I do, which is make big plays in the backfield.”
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The game was marred by repeated penalties on both teams. Saraland was penalized 10 times for 105 yards, while Blount was flagged 18 times for 125 yards.
Saraland led only 14-7 at the half but took control after intermission. Green found Jerone York from 28 yards out to open the second half. Blount responded immediately with a 17-yard scoring strike from LaMarcus Brown to Armani Diamond to close the gap to 21-13.
But the Spartans scored a touchdown on their first two offensive plays of the fourth quarter to take 35-13 lead with 10:25 remaining.
Saraland is now officially 4-1 overall, while Blount is 3-2 when factoring in forfeits.
Star of the game: Green has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the state during the first half of the season. He completed 11 of 24 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran the ball three times for 36 yards.
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Stat sheet: Saraland ran the ball 24 times for 148 yards. Omarion Crawford led the way with 101 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Williams had 117 receiving yards and two scores on only four catches. York also caught four passes for 45 yards a score. Brown passed for 255 yards and one touchdown. Blount’s Jarris Williams carried 18 times for 88 yards.
By the numbers: 189 – minutes played. All the penalties, including a dozen that were declined, contributed to the long game. … 3 -- total punts that resulted in no field position gain for the punting team. 8 – offensive plays by Saraland in the first quarter. The Spartans scored in two plays on their first possession, went three-and-out on their second then had the quarter end during their third.
Coachspeak: “Karson faced some adversity for the first time and, man, he responded great. Blount is a very good team. I was very happy with how we played in the second half.” – Saraland coach Jeff Kelly.
They said it: “There was so much green grass. I just had to catch it first then take off.” – Jarel Williams on his first touchdown, a tunnel screen that went for 38 yards.
What’s next? Blount travels to at Mary G. Montgomery Friday, while Saraland hosts Davidson.