Sylacauga Football closes season with win over Saint James

SYLACAUGA, Ala. - Sylacauga closed out the 2026 football season Friday night with a 58 to 31 win over St. James in Montgomery, finishing the year 6 and 4 and securing the program’s first winning season since 2021.

Senior running back Zakorien Chambliss rushed for more than 250 yards and scored four touchdowns, leading an Aggie offense that scored on eight of its nine possessions. Sylacauga’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the night, creating running lanes for Chambliss and Zilan Tuck, who also scored twice.

The Aggies took advantage of good field position on their opening possession after a failed St. James onside kick. Jasper Jacks connected with Jeremiah Crawford for a third down conversion before Chambliss carried the ball inside the Trojans’ 5 yard line. Senior offensive lineman Zack Sanders finished the seven play drive with a 1 yard touchdown run from the Wildcat formation.

St. James answered with an 80 yard scoring drive, capped by a 2 yard touchdown run from Cameron Hartley to tie the game at seven.

Sylacauga responded with an 88 yard drive that began at its own 12 yard line. Chambliss broke loose for a long gain down the left sideline, dragging several defenders before finally being brought down in Trojan territory. Tuck added another substantial run, and Chambliss finished the possession with a 23 yard touchdown to put the Aggies ahead 14 to 7.

The defense gave Sylacauga another opportunity late in the first quarter when Isaiah Frasier disrupted a St. James handoff and Jacks recovered the fumble. The Aggies took possession at the Trojan 24 and drove inside the 5 before the quarter ended.

Jacks scored on a 4 yard keeper to begin the second quarter, extending the lead to 21 to 7.

St. James answered with a long touchdown reception by Hartley, cutting the lead to seven, but Sylacauga needed just one play to respond. Chambliss took a handoff from his own 21 yard line, broke through the defense and outran the secondary for a 79 yard touchdown.

The Aggies added three points on their next possession after two apparent touchdowns were erased by holding penalties. Senior kicker Anderson Adair connected on a 48 yard field goal, giving Sylacauga a 31 to 14 advantage.

St. James quarterback Michael Haswell continued to find success through the air, leading another scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Wilson Amon. Sylacauga answered before halftime when Tuck scored on an 18 yard run, putting the Aggies ahead 38 to 21 with 46 seconds remaining.

Se'ryon McMillan intercepted Haswell on the following possession, giving Sylacauga one more opportunity before the break. A completion from Jacks to McMillan moved the football to the 1 yard line, but a penalty and two incomplete passes prevented the Aggies from adding to their lead.

St. James opened the second half with a field goal after several Sylacauga penalties helped move the Trojans deep into Aggie territory.

Sylacauga responded with another touchdown drive, converting a fourth down along the way. Offensive lineman Quan Weaver recovered a Tuck fumble on that conversion to keep possession. Freshman receiver DeMarco Davis eventually caught a 27 yard touchdown pass from Jacks, extending the advantage to 45 to 24.

The Trojans threatened again late in the third quarter, but the Aggie defense forced an incomplete pass on third down, and St. James missed a field goal attempt.

Chambliss needed only two carries on Sylacauga’s next possession to score his fourth touchdown, breaking free for another long run that pushed the lead to 52 to 24 entering the fourth quarter.

St. James scored once more on a fourth down pass to Hartley, but the Aggies recovered the ensuing onside kick and went back to work offensively. Senior Zack Riggins picked up a first down on a Wildcat carry before Tuck broke through the middle for his second touchdown of the night. Neymar Hernandez added the extra point to complete Sylacauga’s scoring.

Along with Chambliss and Tuck, the Aggies received substantial contributions up front from Landon Crocker, Sanders, Weaver, Jaquan Nunn and the rest of the offensive line. Defensively, McMillan recorded an interception, Jacks and Jace Welch recovered fumbles, and Zilan Tuck made several tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

The victory gave Sylacauga consecutive wins to finish the season after defeating Anniston 42 to 40 the previous week. Although the Aggies fell short of the playoffs, Friday’s result allowed a large senior class to finish its final high school football game with a win.

Head coach Chris Smelley praised his seniors afterward, acknowledging their commitment to the program and the work they have put in during their time at Sylacauga.

The Aggies finish 2026 with a 6 and 4 record, their first winning mark in five seasons.