By Ronald Hagood Jr.
For The Tribune
ODENVILLE — When two schools are separated by less than 10 miles, you expect it to be a heated rivalry. Such was the case when the St. Clair County Fighting Saints and the Springville Tigers took the field Friday night.
St. Clair County shut out the Tigers and earned a 26-0 victory.
Springville led the overall rivalry series 28-22 going into the contest but had lost eight of the last 10 games.
The Saints would get on the board quickly when Michael Fisher hit Grayson Beatty in stride for a 55-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was missed wide left, making it a 6-0 score.
Fisher would scramble 58 yards just 30-seconds into the 2nd quarter to give St. Clair County a 12-0 advantage. The Saints went for a 2-point conversion, but the pass fell incomplete.
From there it was the speedy defense of the Saints that would control the game. Springville quarterback Austin Hutcheson was often hurried and harassed throughout the night.
After a Hutcheson incompletion St. Clair County blocked a punt. The ball was picked up by Beatty and returned 30 yards for a Saints’ touchdown.
With just 25 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter Fisher would dive in from the one-yard line to give St. Clair County a 26-0 lead at halftime.
The second half of the game was a defensive showcase, with neither team mustering much on offense.
Both the Saints and Tigers had highlight reel interceptions. Senior Casey Tittle would make a beautiful interception inside the Springville 20 to stop St. Clair County from scoring.
After the game Coach Stephen Davis was proud of the growth of the team from Week 0 to Week 10. Springville finishes the season at 2-8 but with lots to grow on in 2018.
St. Clair County moves their record to 8-2 under former Pinson Valley Head Coach Matt Glover and will start the playoffs next Thursday night at Guntersville High School.