Hubbertville defeats Brilliant 57-13 Friday

By Allen Dunavant
Hubbertville correspondent
BRILLIANT — Hubbertville returned to region play on Friday night, traveling to Brilliant to face the Tigers. Following Tucker Bowen’s opening kick, Brilliant’s offense, led by Quarterback Brooks McLemore, began its opening possession at its 32-yard line. Back-to-back penalties left the Tigers facing fourth down and 15, sending Bruin Hulsey back to punt the ball away.
The Lions’ offense, led by Quarterback Blaize Wakefield, moved the ball across midfield on runs by T.J. Keeton. Stops on first and second downs by Brooks Armstrong, Jaeden Lipsey and Kason Pool left Hubbertville facing third down and 13. Later, facing second and goal from the seven-yard line, Keeton took the ball to the end zone for the touchdown. The PAT kick by Bowen was no good, but the Lions led 6-0.
The ensuing kick by Bowen was recovered by the Lions at the 34-yard line, setting Hubbertville up with great field position. Defensive stops by Jerry Lothrop, Joseph Avery and Pool left the Lions facing third and 11. Then with a snap later, Armstrong and Pool were quick in the backfield for a sack, leaving the Lions facing second and 15. Keeton took the handoff and rambled his way into the end zone for the score. The two-point conversion was good, with Keeton taking the snap and advancing across the goal line to put the Lions on top 14-0.
The Lions advanced into Tiger territory on their next possession after taking over on downs, but a pass from Wakefield was intercepted by Lothrop, setting the Tigers’ defense up at its 20-yard line.
McLemore took the Tigers to the Lions’ 36-yard line. McLemore connected on a pass to Armstrong, who advanced to the 34-yard line. Facing second and three, McLemore connected on a lateral in the backfield with Armstrong, who then connected with Lipsey deep downfield for the touchdown at the end of the half. The PAT kick by Christopher Rabelero was good, leaving the halftime score 14-7 in favor of the visiting Lions.
Three plays into the second half, Keeton took the ball over the right side of the line and raced to the end zone for the quick score. The two-point conversion was good with Wakefield on a keeper crossing the goal line. The Lions led 22-7.
The Tigers’ ensuring possession started at its 35-yard line, with a defensive stop on first down by Haley, Bowen, and Cade Watkins. McLemore was then brought down in the backfield by Landon Wright and Ronnie Minor. Facing third and 16, McLemore’s pass was picked off by Rushing, setting the Lions up at the Tigers’ 38-yard line.
With the snap, Keeton took the ball to the end zone for the score. Bowen’s PAT kick was good, and the Lions’ lead increased to 29-7.
On the first play of the Tigers’ possession, Heath Dunavant made a fumble recovery for Hubbertville, setting the Lions up at the Tigers’ 34-yard line. On second and 10, Keeton took the direct snap, racing to the end zone for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, and the score stood 35-7.
After forcing the Tigers to punt, Wakefield connected with Rushing on a pass for the score. Bowen’s PAT kick was perfect, and the Lions raised the score to 42-7.
The Lions forced another punt, and back to back runs by Haley advanced the ball to the 11-yard line. After a stop by Hulsey on first down, Miles Dozier took the handoff around right end untouched for the score. Bowen’s PAT kick was perfect, and the score stood 49-7.
Brilliant’s ensuing possession started at its 35-yard line, with Lions’ Coach Caleb Hynds pulling out most of his starters and sending in backup players. The Tigers moved the ball downfield with the assistance of penalties, as Woodard took over the reigns as quarterback for the Tigers. Facing first down at the 19-yard line, he connected on a pass with Lipsey, who advanced to the five-yard line. On the next play, the Tigers were penalized for a personal foul along with an unsportsmanlike penalty, moving the ball back to the 36-yard line. With the snap, Woodard connected with Armstrong for the score. Rabelero’s PAT kick was perfect, and Hubbertville led 49-13.
Hubbert scored one final touchdown for the Lions with 32.5 seconds left in the game. The two-point conversion was successful, leaving the final score 57-13 in favor of the visiting Lions.