Falkville celebrates their 30-20 win over Winston Co. Photo by April Shaneyfelt
DOUBLE SPRINGS – Falkville closed the regular season by stunning the Winston Co. Yellow Jackets with 22 unanswered fourth-quarter points to come from behind to win.
Falkville, who had already clinched a spot in the playoffs, had to overcome two double-digit deficits in the first half for the win.
Winston Co. jumped out in with a touchdown pass to take an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. On the Yellow Jackets’ next drive, Isaiah Warnick made a diving interception at the goal line to keep the home team out of the end zone.
However, a couple of plays later, Winston Co. picked off a Caden Burnett pass and returned it for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 2:55 left in the first quarter.
Burnett tossed his second interception on Falkville’s next possession. Fortunately, the Blue Devils’ defense kept Winston Co. off the scoreboard on their possession.
Falkville finally got on the scoreboard with 2:38 remaining in the first half when Burnett and Warnick hooked up for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Following a Burnett run for a two-point conversion, the Blue Devils trailed 14-8.
Winston Co. increased their lead to 20-8 on a one-yard run with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Falkville cut the lead to 20-15 when Burnett connected with Kole Fitzgerald on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 10:51 left in the fourth quarter.
After recovering an onside kick, the Blue Devils took their first lead of the game, 23-20, when Burnett hit Landon Powers with a 33-yard scoring pass with 8:56 left.
Burnett capped off the scoring with a one-yard run to push the lead to 30-20 with 5:56 left.
Warnick got his second interception of the game and his 11th of the season with 1:27 left to secure the victory.
Burnett finished 12-of-26 for 173 yards and three touchdowns along with two inceptions. He also ran for a team-high 94 yards and a touchdown.
Warnick had four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Powers had five catches for 63 yards and a score, while Fitzgerald had three for 37 yards and a score.
Falkville (6-4) will host the Collinsville Panthers (8-2) at Burl Vest Stadium to open the 2A state playoffs on Friday.