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Benjamin Russell secures playoff berth, outlasts Briarwood

Story by Griffin Pritchard | Publisher

Photos by Sandie Free | CAScoreboard Photographer

ALEX CITY – Longtime Benjamin Russell Coach Willie Carl Martin – in pregame locker rooms – would always say: “Men, five things are going to determine the outcome of this game.” Friday night the memory of Martin’s words remained as the Wildcats capitalized on a mixture of turnovers, timing, gut, drive and luck to defeat Briarwood Christian 16-14 and secure their first playoff berth in years.

Also, Ty Williams had himself a night for the Wildcats, but we’ll get to that.

“None of these kids have ever been in the playoffs,” first-year Wildcats’ Coach Smitty Grider. “Our seniors were in the eighth-grade last time, so learning how to handle this and how to get here has been challenging.”

From here it gets interesting for the Wildcats as they, to an extent, control their own adventure.

Grider: “We played poorly last week with a chance to get in, but we came back strong. We didn’t play our best game, but the defense played lights out and we found a way to get a win.”

According to alpreps.com bracketology, the Wildcats are expected to finish fourth in the region and head over to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa to kick off the 6A playoffs. But a win over Friday’s opponent, Helena, could lead to a reversal of fortune and keep the ‘Cats inside the friendly Sportsplex confines welcoming Northridge to town.

After dropping a 30-20 decision the week prior, the Wildcats waited until the very last Friday to secure the 16-14 victory over Briarwood. The Wildcats started the game on a tear with passes from quarterback Gabe Benton for 14 yards and 15 yards and then to Christophyer Foster for a gain of 23 setting Benjamin Russell up first and goal at the Briarwood 1.

The exchange was fumbled and the Lions pounced on the loose ball in the end zone for the turnover. Briarwood threatened late in the second period driving down to the Benjamin Russell 3.

After a timeout, the Lions elected for trickery choosing to run a jump-pass on first and goal. Quarterback Chris Vizzina received the snap from shotgun, took a step forward and jumped, throwing the ball directly into the lap of the Wildcats’ Williams for the interception. Benjamin was able to run out the clock and secure the 0-0 gridlock going into the intermission.

The stalemate remained through the third but was broken open in the fourth.

Vizzina – who has been selected to play in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic in December – completed a 31-yard pass, a 13-yard pass and then a 25-yard strike to move the Lions down the field quickly. He capped the drive with a 16-yard toss to Cooper Higgins for the score. The Wildcats dialed up a blitz and the pass to Higgins out of the backfield filled the gap left vacant by the defender on the way to the touchdown. With the kick and more than 11 minutes left to play, the Lions pushed ahead 7-0.

Benton channeled his inner Hendon Hooker and tossed a scoring dime to Za’Corrion Milliner. The 69-yard catch-and-run knotted the game (with the kick) and intensified the drama.

The Wildcats picked off Vizzina in Lions territory leading to a 34-yard field goal. With the kick, the ‘Cats pushed ahead 10-7 with just under 9 minutes left in the game. The Lions answered, scoring with 2:34 left in the game.

Vizzina took the snap and tossed it to the 180-pound Higgins on a Student Body Left sweep. Higgins bulldozed his way down the sideline, rumbling more than 60 yards before being forced out at the 9. Higgins capped the drive, scoring from short to put Briarwood up 13-10, 14-10 with the kick.

The celebration was short-lived as Williams returned the subsequent kickoff 72-yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The Lions band was still playing while Williams was cutting and sprinting down the field.

The shift in momentum was almost visceral as the home stands roared to life. The Lions blocked the point after, but the Wildcats still led late, 16-14.

On the final drive, the Lions offense found themselves behind the sticks; two holding penalties and a Milliner sack of Vizzina set Briarwood up with the enviable third and 23.

Pass Incomplete. Fourth down and halfway to the highway.

Vizzina – with under 30 seconds left in the game – connected with the 6’0” Brady Waugh across the middle. Waugh was met immediately by Williams and dropped short of the yard to gain. After an official confab, the decision was made that he only gained around 22 of the needed 23 yards.

Grider: “I don’t know what happens, but we stopped him short. They moved the chains but he was short. The official on our side (of the field) saw it and got it fixed.”

Possession turns over to the Wildcats for the win.

The Wildcats travel to Helena Friday before ending the season at home against Valley.

Founder/Publisher of Central Alabama Scoreboard. Former sportsguy, and managing editor.

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