Tuscaloosa County Beats Brookwood in Season Finale
The Tuscaloosa County Wildcats beat the Brookwood Panthers 20-14 in its season finale.
Tide 100.9's local high school football coverage is powered by The University of Alabama Online, "Where Legends Log In."
Tuscaloosa County got on the board first with a 47-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braden Smith to wide receiver Jackson Barnhill. The Wildcats tried a two-point conversion but failed on the attempt, keeping the lead at 6-0.
The Brookwood offense could not get anything going in the first half. Panthers quarterback Kobie Humphries was sacked three times in the first half. Wildcats linebacker Clayton Allen (1) and Jackson Sprayberry (0.5), defensive end Eli Herndon (0.5), and defensive lineman Hunter Montgomery (1) all recorded sacks on the evening.
The Tuscaloosa County defense held the Panthers to two punts and a turnover on downs in the first half, however Smith and the offense could not find a rhythm either and kept the 6-0 lead heading into the break.
Brookwood took the lead on the opening drive of the second half. The Panthers drove 58 yards down the field and scored on a seven-yard run by running back Malcolm Davis.
Wildcats senior Sawyer Deerman changed positions in the second half from wide receiver to his usual spot as quarterback and gave Tuscaloosa County the lead back with a 73-yard touchdown run on the third snap of the possession to make the score 13-7.
The Wildcats defense forced a turnover on downs and Deerman scored his second rushing touchdown of the evening, this time a 42-yard run to extend Tuscaloosa County's lead 20-7.
"We were on the field for a long time on defense. And so, that part of it was eventually it'll make some plays. We needed to get off the field. But you know, we were responding, Sawyer made some huge plays for us, so just a great game for our team," said Tuscaloosa County head coach Adam Winegarden.
The Panthers cut the deficit with a 13-play, 57 yard drive, capped off by an 18-yard touchdown catch from Humphries to wide receiver Micah Patton. A good extra point would make the score 20-14.
Brookwood's defense forced a Tuscaloosa County punt to get the ball back one more time in an attempt to win the game, however Deerman picked off Humphries with less than a minute left in the game to seal the Wildcats win.
"A win is great. We're very thankful to win, very thankful to finish 6-4. So, it's a big step from where we were last year so the best is ahead for us," said Winegarden.
A total of 20 penalties were called between the two teams.
“Hard fought game. We had some drives that were hurt by penalties early on. I hate the way it ended but our seniors buy I couldn’t thank them enough for they’ve done for our school program and community," said Brookwood head coach Mike Bramblett.
Tuscaloosa County finishes its season 6-4 overall and 3-4 in regional play. Brookwood finishes its season 4-6 overall and 2-5 in regional play.