Photo: Hokes Bluff’s Alex Carter (26) scores a touchdown during the Eagles’ 44-12 victory over Randolph County on Friday, Nov. 1 at Hokes Bluff. (Courtesy of Alex Chaney)
Hokes Bluff wrapped up the regular season with a 44-12 win over Randolph County on Friday, Nov. 1 at Mike Robertson Field.
Hokes Bluff, Anniston and Alexandria finished the regular season with 5-2 records in Class 4A Region 6, but the Eagles gained the second spot and a home playoff game due to tiebreakers. Anniston and Alexandria finished third and fourth, respectively, in the region standings.
Hokes Bluff (8-2) hosts Madison Academy in the first round of the state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 8. It is the first time since 2018 that the Eagles will host a postseason game.
Against Randolph City, the Eagles led 28-6 at halftime and 35-12 midway through the fourth quarter.
Bryce Whitaker rushed for 256 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries and was 6 for 8 in passing for 61 yards and a TD. Blaine Barron carried seven times for 66 yards, while Brenton Hale gained 31 yards on six attempts. Alex Carter had three receptions for 22 yards. Leon Chen was 6 for 6 in PAT attempts.
Bray Davis finished with seven tackles, followed by Conner Ford, Colten Shields and Brennan Ward with five each. Dayton Reeves had a sack and Drew McCarver had an interception.
Whitaker’s 78-yard touchdown run, Anderson Morgan’s 80-yard interception return for a score, Whitaker’s 4-yard TD pass to Morgan and Alex Carter’s 6-yard touchdown run staked the Eagles to a 28-6 lead at halftime. Another pair of scores from Whitaker and one from Carter in the fourth quarter, along with a safety, provided the final 32-point margin of victory.
