By J.D. Cowart | Alex City Outlook

Benjamin Russell High School senior tailback Quez Alvies was nursing an injured quad last night against Chilton County High School, but those that attended the game would not have even noticed.

The senior ran for 196 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats (11-1) defeated the Tigers 24-7 and advanced to the state quarterfinals next week.

Chilton County’s first drive of the game stalled at midfield, and the Wildcats took over and took to the air and ground to chew up more than 9 minutes of clock.

BRHS junior quarterback Bryant Horn completed a 20-yard pass to Bookie Ford and another to Tyrik Norris before diving for consecutive first downs to move the chains for BRHS.

Horn then connected with Labrenikin Johnson for 11 yards on a third and long, and Johnson used his feet for a 5-yard run on the next series.

However, the drive stalled with 25 seconds left in the first quarter after a Chilton County sack.

The Tigers went three-and-out once again to start the second period.

But on the first BRHS play of the second quarter and on his first touch of the game, Alvies took a handoff 45 yards down the home sideline for a touchdown and a 7-0 BRHS lead.

Chilton County had bad field position seemingly all night, as their next drive started at their own 27-yard line.

The Tigers moved the chains for the first time on the night with consecutive long completions into Wildcat territory.

But Chilton County would be halted by a Braunsen Skipper sack on a fourth down and two try for a turnover on downs.

Alvies would spin off another long run into Chilton territory, but the ensuing BRHS drive would stall.

After a Michael Seaton first down run for Chilton County, BRHS senior Woo Varner sacked the Tiger quarterback to end yet another Chilton drive.

Alvies then put on another show when he ran for four consecutive first downs including a 14 and 28 yarder to put BRHS at the goal line with 20 seconds left in the half.

Collin Sharpe then knocked in the field goal for a 10-0 BRHS lead at the half.

Both squads swapped three and outs throughout the duration of the third quarter, as the physicality of the game seemed to take its toll.

The tide finally turned again just before the fourth quarter when BRHS faked a punt and Sam Sturdivant ran 25 yards into Chilton territory going into the fourth quarter.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Horn connected with senior Trey Minnifield for a 29-yard touchdown pass and a 17-0 BRHS lead.

Chilton would start their next drive with their best field position of the night, and the Tigers would score on the BRHS defense off of a screen pass to Seaton that went for 65 yards and the only score of the night for Chilton County.

Benjamin Russell used the legs of Johnson to move the ball on the answering score for the Wildcats.

Johnson ran for a first down, ran for 19 yards, hauled in an 11 yard pass and ran another time to take the ball to the Chilton 11-yard line.

Johnson would cap the statement drive by BRHS with a three yard touchdown run to take the final score to 24-7.