By David Knox
Tribune Sports Editor
ADAMSVILLE – The Clay-Chalkville Cougars had their sights set on knocking off unbeaten and fifth-ranked Minor on Friday night at Tony Lunceford Field.
But quick as you can say Jaylond Adams – maybe quicker – the Tigers got the jump on the Cougars, and Clay could never quite catch up.
That was due in large part to not catching up with Adams.
“He’s some kind of fast,” said Clay-Chalkville coach after Adams’ five-touchdown performance in the Tigers’ 54-28 win over the Cougars.
Minor (8-0, 5-0 in Region 6) clinched the region and the top seed in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. Clay (6-3, 4-2) is in the playoffs, but it will take another week of games to sort out where the Cougars will finish. Gardendale’s last-play win over Pinson Valley leaves both the Rockets and Indians at 3-2 in region play with one region game left. Clay is done with region opponents. Gardendale faces winless Center Point and Pinson plays Carver next week.
But Friday night, it was too much speed. Adams ran for two scores and caught three scoring passes from Jacure’ Jackson, the mammoth Minor quarterback. Jackson tossed five scoring passes on the night.
The Tigers led 20-0 after one quarter before Clay could manage a score. Adams ran for the first score and also scored on a pass. The other scoring toss went to Alvin Means.
The Cougars scratched the scoreboard on Tony Gurley’s 3-yard run with 8:43 left in the half, but Jackson hurled another TD bomb for a 28-7 lead.
Clay quarterback Willie Miller was injured in the second period, and junior Tyrese Sewell entered and fumbled the football. Minor scored on another Jackson-to-Adams pass and took a 34-7 lead.
But the Cougars fought back, and it led to a wild flurry of points. Sewell led a 70-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard pass to Nico Collins with just 19.8 left before half. Jackson then found Adams for a 72-yard score one scrimmage play later. Minor took a 40-14 lead with 0.7 showing on the clock.
Minor tried a squib kick that left Clay with one play from the 48, and Sewell heaved the ball into the end zone where Terrill Cole grabbed it.
It was 40-21 at half, and looked like the Cougars might rally.
Adams added a 61-yard run for a 54-28 lead at the 5:07 mark.
The fourth quarter was scoreless.
“I was dang proud of our kids. They kept fighting and kept fighting,” Hood said.
Sewell also left the game with cramps, but he will be OK. Demetrius Davis finished up at quarterback. Miller’s availability for the Park Crossing game in Montgomery next Friday will be determined next week.