Vincent plows through Montevallo

Published 10:52 pm Friday, September 23, 2011

Vincent High School senior ShaCorry Lilly runs upfield in a Sept. 23 win against the Montevallo Bulldogs. (Reporter Photo/Kala Bolton)

By KALA BOLTON / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO — Vincent High School football coach Anthony “Zeb” Ellison wanted to see more physical play from his team, and on Friday night, the Yellow Jackets delivered.

“That was one of the things we wanted to bring to Vincent, the physical aspect of it,” Ellison said. “I think we’re doing that and we’re getting better each week. Our kids had a great week of practice, and to come out here and execute tonight, I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

The visiting Yellow Jackets took down the Montevallo Bulldogs 33-9 Sept. 23, improving their record to 4-1 overall. Montevallo dropped to 1-4.

“We came in this game thinking it was already won,” Bulldogs senior Garrius Chappell said. “We just have to come with a better mentality. I just feel like they came and outplayed us.”

The Yellow Jackets’ run game pounded the Bulldogs as they drove 65 yards up the field, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Demauntay Johnson, giving Vincent a 6-0 lead with 8:11 remaining in the first quarter.

We’ve been preparing all week,” Johnson said. “We had good practices all week. We moved the offense”

Montevallo got on the board after senior kicker Brett Gray nailed a 27-yard field goal with 3:26 remaining in the half. Vincent quickly answered with senior ShaCorry Lilly scoring on a 10-yard run.  A failed 2-point conversion resulted in a 12-3 Vincent lead to close out the half.

Yellow Jackets sophomore Rodney Groce recovered a bad snap on a would-be Montevallo punt to start the second half, carrying the ball into the end zone with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter, and Johnson ran in the 2-point conversion, extending Vincent’s lead 20-3.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Johnson hit senior Dontravious Moon from seven yards out for a touchdown before Montevallo’s R.J. Scaife broke through the line, sprinting 77 yards to give the Bulldogs their lone touchdown of the night.

Ryan Kelow sealed the deal for Vincent with a 17-yard touchdown run with 1:37 remaining in play.

“We absolutely got outplayed, outfought, out hit,” Montevallo head coach Jamie Williams said. “I think it’s all mental. When you get down a touchdown or two scores, you still have to have the excitement and passion for the game just like if you’re up two scores. They didn’t come out here ready to play. [Vincent was] just tougher than we were tonight.”