One Crenshaw County squad kept its hopes of an Alabama High School Athletic Association state football championship alive, while another’s season came to a close in Friday’s football action.

Here’s a snapshot of each game and what’s next for the teams left remaining in the postseason:

 

Highland Home 19, Clarke County 0

The Flying Squadron neutralized the Bulldogs at Clay Jordan Stadium in a rematch from the 2021 playoffs.

With the win, Highland Home avenged a 42-21 loss to Clarke County in the 2A semifinals and sealed its second trip to the semifinals.

Flying Squadron quarterback Brice McKenzie opened the contest with a 15-yard touchdown pass to KD Shepherd to take a 6-0 lead with 9:35 left in the first quarter.

Highland Home pulled away further in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by offensive tackle AJ Johnson, who lined up at running back in the short-yardage scenario to put his team ahead 12-0.

McKenzie added a 1-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Flying Squadron outgained Clarke County on the ground 128-67 and 193-60 through the air.

McKenzie finished his night 8-of-18 for 193 yards and a touchdown and led the team with 90 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

The Flying Squadron (12-1) will travel to Sylacauga on Friday to face B.B. Comer (11-2).. The winner will advance to face the winner of a showdown between Fyffe and Pisgah for the 2A state championship.

 

Leroy 42, Brantley 14

The Bulldogs struggled to contain the Bears’ rushing attack in a Class 1A quarterfinal matchup.

Leroy churned up 262 rushing yards and four touchdowns, one by Malik Howell (2 yards) and three by Brayden Huebner (27, 8, and 64 yards).

Brantley’s vaunted rushing attack, featuring a trio of talented runners in Kedrick Brown, Robert Shine, and Trevor Pittman, mustered 26 rushing yards against Leroy.

The Bulldogs led 7-0 early in the contest with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Parks to Jordan Parks, but the Bears took control of the game from there.

Trailing 28-7 in the third quarter, Parks connected with Jon Bush on a 9-yard touchdown pass to trim the deficit to 28-14.

The contest marked the only showing of the season where Brantley was beaten by more than a touchdown.

Brantley finished its season 10-3.