Photo: Westbrook’s Josh Terrell (right) blocks Geraldine’s River Walling as Hunter Arnold (22) looks for running room during the Warriors’ 30-7 loss in high school football on Oct. 12 in Rainbow City. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Ken Wallace/Fort Payne Times-Journal
Eighth-ranked Geraldine defeated Westbrook Christian, 30-7, in a Class 3A, Region 6 contest on Oct. 12 in Rainbow City.
Geraldine improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in Region 6. Westbrook dropped to 3-4 and 1-4.
Bulldog eight grader Jon Beck Wade had three interceptions, returned one for 102 yards for a touchdown in the second half. Wade’s pick helped Geraldine break open a game that was 14-7 at the half. The interception was the longest in the Alabama High School Athletic Association play since Autaugaville’s Kenneth Brown and Lexington’s Wyatt Prado each returned interceptions 100 yards for scores in the 2022 season. The state record belongs to Notasulga’s Jimmy Pitts and Demopolis’ Tommy Wilson, who had 108-yard returns in 2018 and 2012, respectively.
Wade’s pick-six came with 8:07 left in the game, giving the Bulldogs a 20-7 lead. Moses Garcia’s extra point attempt was blocked.
Geraldine scored one more touchdown, a five-yard run by quarterback Jaxon Colvin with 5:10 left in the game. Garcia’s kick was good, and Geraldine held a 20-point lead.
Garcia, who missed field goal attempts from 23 and 20 yards during the second and third periods, nailed a 45-yarder to make the final score 30-7.
Geraldine’s first two scores came in the first quarter, when Colvin found Carlos Mann for a 53-yard touchdown pass and Colvin ran 23 yards for the second score.
Westbrook’s lone score came right before halftime when Hunter Arnold made a dash for paydirt. The kick by Reed Barber was good.
For the Warriors, quarterback Greyson Carroll rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries and was 5 for 14 in passing for 79 yards.
Hunter Arnold ran 11 times for 74 yards, while Lamycal Mitchell had four receptions for 56 yards.
Max Legg led the way defensively with 11 tackles, followed by Brodie Blevins with 10, Eggo Alabbasi with nine, Noah Wright with eight and Brodey Wood with five. Ben Morrison had a sack.
Westbrook travels to Plainview on Friday, Oct. 20 while Geraldine hosts Piedmont. Both are Region 6 games.
Chris McCarthy contributed to this article.