Pickens County Defeats Meek for 1A, Region 6 Crown
On a hot and humid homecoming in Reform, Ala., the Pickens County Tornadoes(7-1, 6-0) beat the Meek Tigers(5-3, 4-2) 22-6 to win the 1A-Region 6 division and seal the number one seed for the playoffs.
Both teams started off sloppy, fumbling on their first drives of the game; then, the Tigers defense forced a Tornadoes punt to get the ball back. However, a fumble by the Tigers QB David Tidwell gave the ball back to Pickens County.
The electric and explosive nature of Tornadoes QB Javion Belle started showing, with a one-snap, 28-yard touchdown pass to TE Devin Cohen to give Pickens County their first score of the game 6-0 after getting stopped on their 2-point conversion attempt.
However, the Pickens County offense wasn’t the only group showing out. The dominant defense of the Tornadoes forced a Tigers punt, after a crucial sack by LB Korbit Sommerville.
After getting the ball back, the Tornadoes quickly drove down the field on two big plays, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to WR Antionio Coleman. QB Javion Belle ran in the two-point conversion to put the Tornadoes up 14-0.
Meek’s struggles continued to show on the field, as Tidwell fumbled the first snap of the Tigers drive, giving the ball back to the Tornadoes once again, but this time, in the red zone.
Pickens County RB Adonta Warner took over the drive, rushing for 19 yards, including the 11-yard touchdown to extend the lead. QB Javion Belle ran another 2-point conversion to give the Tornadoes the 22-0 lead going into halftime.
“Javion is a star. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. He does so many things for us to keep us going in the right direction,” said Pickens County head coach Michael Williams.
Meek tried to move the momentum to their side, as DB Santonio Jones Jr., returned the halftime kickoff into the red zone. Unfortunately for them, the Tornadoes defense could not be tricked, only allowing three yards to be gained in the following snaps and picking off a trick play on a 4th and 12.
After a rough opening drive in the half for Belle, Pickens County ran down the clock through the rest of the game, finishing the second half scoreless. Belle went 2-of-8 for 44 yards and a pick in the second half, and relied on their ground play to finish out the game.
Meek fought until the end, scoring a touchdown on a 4th and goal handoff to RB Cameron Deaver with 3:31 left in the game to avoid the shutout.
“Great first half, sloppy second half. We tried a couple different things in the second half to make ourselves a better team and work on things we struggle with… all in all, it was a good effort,” said Williams.
Next week, Pickens County travels to South Lamar, and Meek hosts Berry Fayette. Both games kick off at 7 p.m. CST.