John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
Irondale – Shades Valley bounced back from last week’s season-opening loss to Stanhope Elmore by defeating Fairfield 42-19.
The visiting Tigers scored first on a 54-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 7:24 remaining in the first period.
The Mounties tied the game up with a 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run by Josh Scott with 5:12 remaining in the opening period. Senior quarterback Steve Brown rushed for 47 yards on two carries during the drive.
After the teams traded punts, the Mounties took the lead on a Brown 21-yard pass to Ji’Quez Daniels for a touchdown with 5:31 remaining in the half.
With 35 seconds remaining in the half, Fairfield pulled to within one on a nine-yard touchdown run to cap off a 75-yard drive. With the missed PAT, the Mounties took a 14-13 lead into the locker room.
The second half began with a bang for Shades Valley with a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD by Quincy Crawford. However, a penalty negated the score.
The Mounties started a 73-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard run for a TD by Jayden Gilmore. The Mounties led 21-13 with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter.
After Fairfield fumbled a snap on a punt deep in their territory that was recovered by Chris Ingram, Brown scored on a five-yard touchdown run. After Jair Aguilar’s successful PAT, the Mounties led 28-13 with 7:22 remaining in the third period.
Jared Brundidge later recovered a fumble for the Mounties.
Senior Christian Gorman capped off a 42-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to give Valley a 35-13 lead with nine minutes remaining in the game.
The Tigers answered with a 73-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass. After the two-point conversion failed, the Mounties led 35-19 with 4:51 left on the clock.
Valley put the game away, 42-19, with a 24-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Armon Goldsby with 1:58 remaining.
Shades Valley enters region play against Oxford at home next week.