Opportunistic special teams play, plus a solid running game and another solid defensive effort led Class 6A, No. 6 Saraland to a 47-0 rout of Robertsdale in Region 1 action at Spartans Stadium Friday night.
Freshman DaArrius Washington had 14 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. Karson Green completed 6 of 9 passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns — one each to Jarel Williams, Terrente Hinton and Jerone York. Williams also had a touchdown run, Hinton recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and Willie Butler had a touchdown run.
Hinton got things started for the Spartans (7-2, 5-1) early in the first quarter when Robertsdale went three-and-out and punted. Hinton crashed through the line, blocked the punt and recovered it in the end zone for a 7-0 score. Moments later, Williams scored on a 57-yard run off a jet sweep, then followed it up with a spectacular 30-yard touchdown reception in the far-left corner of the end zone.
After Justin Roberson intercepted a tipped pass at the Golden Bear 27, Saraland wasted little time getting on the board again, needing only five plays before Butler scored from 11 yards out to make it 28-0 with 2:46 left in the first quarter. York’s second quarter, 18-yard touchdown reception gave the Spartans a 34-0 halftime lead.
Saraland added two more touchdowns in the second half — a 59-yard pass from Green to Hinton in the third quarter and Washington’s 6-yard run with 2:54 left in the game.
Star of the game: Hinton and Williams share honors for this category. Not only did Hinton set the tone for the game with the recovered blocked punt in the end zone, but his 59-yard touchdown reception — in which he out-battled a Robertsdale defender on what was basically a jump ball — was worthy of anyone’s highlight reel. Williams clutch touchdown grab, and showing speed on the touchdown run off the jet sweep, were works of art as well.
Play of the game: Ironically, for all of Saraland’s offensive heroics, the play of the game came on defense. After a holding call on Robertsdale late in the game, the Golden Bears were on their 10. Robertsdale running back Taven Curry broke loose for what looked like a touchdown, but Spartan defensive back Dakryen Sullivan ran Curry down, tackling him at the Spartan 20 after a 70-yard gain. Not only did Sullivan’s hustle save a touchdown, but Driver fumbled three plays later and Saraland recovered at the 3-yard line.
Key sequence: On the Spartans' second possession, which came after a Robertsdale fumble, Robertsdale was called for offsides and Green promptly picked up six yards and a first down. After a running play gained only one yard, Green was flushed out of the pocket on a pass attempt and threw the ball away, but was called for intentional grounding. Facing a third-and-23 from the 30, Green found Williams in the end zone for the touchdown to give Saraland a 21-0 lead.
Stats: For Saraland, York had two catches for 19 yards, Williams also had two catches for 37 yards, while Butler had three rushes for 30 yards. For Robertsdale, Curry finished the night leading all rushers with 152 yards on 26 carries — 85 of them coming in the second half.
By the numbers: 0 -- total number of passing yards on five attempts for Robertsdale; 0 -- number of times Saraland punted; 4 -- consecutive possessions where Robertsdale either went three-and-out or had a drive end because of a turnover; 4 -- consecutive kickoffs fair caught by Robertsdale; 4, total turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions) committed by Robertsdale; 7 -- total number of times Robertsdale has lost to Saraland; 16, total number of rushing attempts by Saraland ball carriers besides Washington; 17 -- total number of first downs for Saraland.
Coachspeak: “We scored on special teams, getting the blocked punt to start the game and set the tone. Defensively, we were able to go in there and play against the wing-T. It’s always a challenge trying to be good and reading your keys, but we did a pretty good job. Offensively, we had some big plays in the passing game. Eventually, we’re going to get all guys healthy — we’re excited.” - Saraland coach Jeff Kelly
They said it: “You can’t turn the ball over four or five times against a below-average team, much less a great team. They’re a great team and they’re well-coached at every position. You’ve got to give them all the credit. We got beat in all phases of the game, and they deserved to win the ball game.” - Robertsdale coach Kyle Stanford
Up next: Saraland travels to Citronelle while Robertsdale hosts Baldwin County in the final regular season game for both teams.