All four Crenshaw teams stepped onto the field Friday night, with two emerging victorious and two falling to defeat. But win or lose, the Highland Home Flying Squadron, the Brantley Bulldogs, the Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) Cougars and the Luverne Tigers remain the pride of their communities and their schools and all four schools rank among the top three in their region.

Highland Home

Highland Home won in Friday’s game against Lanett 40-14, bringing their record to 4-0 overall and ranking the Flying Squadron third in Class 2A for region 2.

Head coach Will Pouncey said he is proud of the team and what players are accomplishing this season.

“I’m just extremely proud of all of our guys’ effort,” Pouncey said. “We came out and set the tone early. We executed our game plan to our satisfaction, and it definitely paid dividends. We were able to get momentum early and keep that momentum throughout the ball game.” 

The Squadron earned the first two touchdowns, placing points on the board in the first quarter. By the end of the second quarter, Highland Home led 20-0 and by halftime the Squadron was ahead 27-0.

Pouncey attributes the team’s culture and the players’ sense of camaraderie with a great beginning towards another winning season.

“These guys have played together most of their life,” Pouncey said. “They have a sense of familiarity with each other, and they have trust for one another. They push each other.”

Highland Home would gain six touchdowns before Lanett’s first points. With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Squadron had an impressive 40-6 lead.

According to Pouncey, the team boasts leaders on and off the field, student athletes like Brice McKenzie, Austin Crittenden and the whole offensive line.

“It’s hard to single out one guy,” Pouncey said. “It’s an absolute team effort.”

Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers found the end zone again but would not score again.

Highland Home will meet Horseshoe Bend for a region game on Sept. 22.

Luverne School

The Luverne School defeated Horseshoe Bend Friday 41-0 and are ranked first in Class 2A for region 3.

The Tigers put their first points on the board in the first quarter with a 42-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Miller to defensive end Dante Smith. The Tigers led 21-0 by the first quarter’s end.

In the second quarter, wide receiver Aderion Foster forced a fumble allowing Smith to recover the ball.

In the third quarter, running back Tavion Rainey completed a 55-yard touchdown run, widening Luverne’s led to 41-0. Horseshoe Bend would never score and were only allowed 46 yards in the game.

Luverne made 250 yards – 99 passing and 151 rushing. Miller made 89 of the passing yards and 10 were attributed to Tyler Carter.

Rainey and Myrez Gross were the top two defense team members with seven carries each. Rainey ran for 88 rushing yards, and Gross for 57.

Joshua Bearden completed the most game tackles at seven total with four solo and three assists.

Luverne will travel to challenge Lanett on Sept. 22.

Crenshaw Christian Academy

The Cougars fell in an away game at Wilcox Academy 34-14 Friday, a loss which set their overall record at 3-2 and left them ranked second in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) Region 1.

The Generals’ Julian Curry put the first points on the board in the first quarter with a 55-yard sprint to the end zone. Brayden Moore earned the first Cougar touchdown in the second quarter and the Cougars held the score at 7-6 through most of the second quarter before an 11-yard run gained Wilcox another touchdown with two minutes left before the half.

With 20 seconds remaining before halftime, Wilcox hit No. 5, Thomas Thompson, deep for a touchdown, ending the half at 21-6.

Grant Taylor caught a 28-yard pass in the endzone for another Cougar touchdown early in the third quarter. The Generals made their last two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to claim the win.

The Cougars travel again to face Hooper Academy on Sept. 22.

Brantley School

The Bulldogs suffered a home-field loss to Elba Friday 0-48 and have a 2-2 overall record, ranking third in 1A Region 2. Brantley will travel to meet Kinston Sept. 22.