Sylacauga Football falls to Moody 53-52 in double overtime, setting up critical region game at Clay Central

SYLACAUGA, Ala. — Sylacauga came within a yard of knocking off defending Class 5A state champion Moody on Friday night, but a fumble on a two-point conversion attempt in the second overtime allowed the Blue Devils to leave Legion Stadium with a 53-52 victory.

Trailing by seven in the second overtime, junior quarterback Jasper Jacks scored on a two-yard run to bring Sylacauga within a point. Head coach Chris Smelley elected to attempt a two-point conversion rather than kick the extra point and extend the game.

Senior Tyler Tarpley took a direct snap from the Wild Aggie formation and attempted to push across the goal line, but the ball came loose before he could score. Moody recovered in the end zone to secure the victory.

The loss dropped Sylacauga to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Class 5A, Region 4 play, setting up a critical matchup at Clay Central next Friday with a playoff berth at stake.

The Aggies scored 52 points against a Moody team that entered the night at 3-4 despite returning several key players from last season's state championship team. Sylacauga took the lead twice, overcame a pair of 10-point deficits and forced overtime on Anderson Adair's field goal as regulation expired.

The game was played in heavy rain and strong winds associated with a tropical system moving through Alabama. Homecoming festivities were moved to an afternoon pep rally at Douglas Martin Court, and conditions continued to deteriorate throughout the evening.

Moody opened the game with a two-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. After gaining one yard on first down, the Blue Devils broke a 79-yard run through the middle of Sylacauga's defense to take a 7-0 lead.

The Aggies responded immediately, beginning with a kickoff return by Juice Riley that carried the football into Moody territory.

Jacks completed the scoring drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Tarpley. Sylacauga spread its formation and shifted offensive lineman Zack Sanders outside, drawing the attention of Moody's defenders. Tarpley slipped behind the linebackers and caught Jacks' pass in open space before reaching the end zone.

Adair converted the extra point, tying the game at seven with 10:24 remaining in the first quarter.

Moody moved back in front on its next possession, driving into the Sylacauga red zone before the Aggie defense tightened.

Sanders recorded a tackle for loss, and a holding penalty pushed the Blue Devils into third-and-long. Moody eventually settled for a 41-yard field goal from Ryan McPherson to take a 10-7 lead.

Sylacauga's next possession produced two first downs behind runs from Zakorian Chambliss, but a holding penalty disrupted the drive. The Aggies eventually punted, giving Moody possession near its own 37-yard line.

The defense responded with another stop.

Tarpley diagnosed a third-down screen pass and tackled the receiver short of the marker, forcing Moody to punt. Sylacauga took over inside its own 20-yard line and began putting together one of its longest drives of the first half.

Smelley increasingly turned to the Wild Aggie formation, allowing Tarpley to take direct snaps and run behind Sylacauga's offensive line.

The Aggies moved the football consistently between the tackles, with Tarpley picking up several first downs and Jacks contributing yardage on quarterback runs.

Sylacauga carried the possession into the second quarter and eventually reached the Moody 22-yard line. The drive stalled, however, and Adair missed a 38-yard field goal with 9:20 remaining before halftime.

Moody retained its three-point lead, but Sylacauga's defense provided the game's next touchdown.

Following a Moody completion across midfield, quarterback Jake Lowry attempted a pass toward the outside. Aggie defender Javian Mosley delivered a hit as the receiver attempted to secure the ball, knocking it into the air.

Jacobe Garrett, who had dropped into pass coverage from his defensive end position, intercepted the deflection and returned it for a touchdown.

The defensive score gave Sylacauga its first lead of the night, 13-10.

A Moody penalty on the conversion attempt moved the football closer to the goal line, and Smelley elected to go for two. Jacks scored on a quarterback sneak to extend the Aggies' advantage to 15-10 midway through the second quarter.

Moody answered with another scoring drive built around its rushing attack.

The Blue Devils continued finding openings through the middle of Sylacauga's defense, including a long run on third-and-short that moved the football inside the Aggie 20.

Moody scored on another inside run and successfully converted a two-point attempt to reclaim an 18-15 lead with 4:42 remaining in the half.

Sylacauga attempted to respond before halftime, but a false-start penalty turned a manageable third-down situation into third-and-eight. Jacks' next pass fell incomplete, forcing the Aggies to punt with 2:22 remaining.

Adair delivered a punt that rolled to the Moody three-yard line, putting the Blue Devils deep in their own territory.

Moody escaped the difficult field position almost immediately.

Consecutive runs moved the football outside the 30-yard line before another rushing play broke down the left sideline for a touchdown. The Blue Devils covered 97 yards in three plays, extending their lead to 25-15 with approximately a minute remaining.

The Aggies began their final first-half possession near their own 11-yard line and appeared likely to enter halftime trailing by 10.

Tarpley changed that with a long run from the Wild Aggie formation.

Following blocks from Eric Nichols and Zack Riggins, Tarpley broke through the line of scrimmage and reached the secondary. He briefly lost his balance during the run but planted his hand on the wet turf, regained his footing and continued to the Moody 17-yard line.

The gain gave Sylacauga an opportunity to score before halftime.

After a short run and a completion to Tarpley, the Aggies faced third-and-short. Jacks attempted a pass into the end zone that fell incomplete, but Moody was penalized for roughing the passer.

The penalty gave Sylacauga first-and-goal near the four-yard line.

With 13 seconds remaining, Jacks completed a quick pass over the middle to Riley for a three-yard touchdown.

Adair converted the extra point, cutting Moody's lead to 25-22 at halftime.

Smelley told Aggie Sports Network sideline reporter Matt Crocker that the Aggies needed to continue playing physically while correcting mistakes that had ended earlier possessions.

"We got to continue to be physical offensively," Smelley said. "We shot ourselves in the foot on two of our drives."

The coach also acknowledged Sylacauga's difficulty containing Moody's running game.

"Got to tackle better in space," Smelley said. "We're sort of playing a little bit spread out and giving them too much room in the middle."

Sylacauga received the second-half kickoff but was unable to move the football on its opening possession.

The Aggies were also dealing with an injury to starting center Landon Crocker, who had left the game in the first half and did not return. Jaquan Nunn shifted from tackle to center, forcing adjustments across an offensive line that had been effective against Moody's defensive front.

After Sylacauga punted, Moody again moved downfield behind its running game.

Running backs Justin Hill and Trigg Murdoch picked up yardage against the Aggies' three-man defensive front, eventually moving the football inside the Sylacauga 15.

Hill scored on a run through the middle, and McPherson's extra point extended Moody's lead to 32-22 with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Sylacauga answered with another productive drive.

Chambliss opened the possession with a long run into Moody territory, breaking through the line and slipping past a defender in the secondary.

He followed with an eight-yard carry before moving the chains on another run.

Despite the offensive line adjustments, the Aggies continued finding room against the Blue Devils.

After Moody stopped Chambliss for a loss, Tarpley regained much of the yardage to set up third down.

Jacks rolled to his right and located Riley crossing the field. Riley caught the pass near the 20-yard line, worked back inside and made his way into the end zone for his second touchdown reception of the evening.

Adair's extra point brought Sylacauga within three, 32-29, with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter.

The Aggies attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but Moody recovered near midfield.

This time, Sylacauga's defense managed to force a stop.

A holding penalty moved Moody backward before Tarpley and DK Duncan combined on a tackle for loss. Consecutive incompletions forced McPherson to attempt a 56-yard field goal into the wind.

The kick missed, giving Sylacauga another opportunity to take the lead.

Chambliss again carried much of the offensive workload, breaking through Moody's defense for another substantial gain before adding a 12-yard run that moved the football to the Blue Devil 22-yard line.

Sylacauga entered the fourth quarter trailing by three but with possession deep in Moody territory.

An offside penalty helped the Aggies early in the quarter, and Chambliss gained another first down to move the football inside the 10-yard line.

A facemask penalty advanced Sylacauga closer to the goal line, where Smelley returned to Tarpley in the Wild Aggie formation.

Tarpley gained several yards on first down before taking another direct snap and pushing across the goal line for a touchdown.

Adair converted the extra point, giving Sylacauga a 36-32 lead with 10:50 remaining.

Moody responded with a lengthy fourth-quarter possession that ultimately decided regulation's final minutes.

The Blue Devils repeatedly handed the football to Hill and Murdoch, moving downfield despite several penalties.

Sylacauga made individual defensive stops but struggled to get off the field in critical situations.

Moody converted a fourth-and-one near midfield to extend the possession. Later, following another holding penalty, the Blue Devils faced fourth-and-four near the Sylacauga 34-yard line.

Hill gained enough yardage around the left side to move the chains with 3:31 remaining.

Moody continued running the football and consuming the clock.

With approximately 2:30 remaining, Hill found another opening through the middle of Sylacauga's defense and scored, giving the Blue Devils a 39-36 lead following McPherson's extra point.

The Aggies received the football with 2:21 remaining and two timeouts.

Riley returned the kickoff to the 41-yard line, and Chambliss immediately moved the offense into scoring position with a run of approximately 30 yards to the Moody 30.

Chambliss added six more yards on the following play before briefly leaving with cramps.

Tarpley gained two yards, setting up third-and-short, but a false-start penalty backed Sylacauga into third-and-long.

Jacks completed a short pass to Tarpley, leaving the Aggies facing fourth-and-three.

Rather than attempt a field goal, Smelley kept the offense on the field.

Tarpley took a direct snap and gained the necessary yardage for a first down with 44.5 seconds remaining.

Sylacauga moved inside the Moody 20, but the Aggies used their final timeout with 32 seconds remaining.

A short completion to Riley kept the clock moving, forcing Sylacauga to hurry to the line of scrimmage.

The Aggie Sports Network broadcast described confusion involving an official signaling to stop play while the game clock continued to run. Sylacauga eventually stopped the clock with only seconds remaining.

After an incomplete pass left three seconds on the clock, the Aggies prepared for a field goal.

Moody was penalized for having 12 players on the field, moving Sylacauga closer to the goal line.

Adair converted the field goal to tie the game at 39 as regulation expired. Moody was also penalized for roughing the kicker on the attempt.

The penalty gave Sylacauga favorable field position to begin overtime.

Moody won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense first.

The Aggies began at the five-yard line because of the penalty and needed only one play.

Jacks handed the football to Chambliss, who followed a block from Nichols and crossed the goal line.

Adair's extra point gave Sylacauga a 46-39 lead.

Moody answered with Hill, who scored on the Blue Devils' opening overtime possession. McPherson converted the extra point, sending the game into a second overtime tied at 46.

Moody went on offense first in the second period and again relied on Hill.

The running back carried the football to the one-yard line, but Sylacauga stopped him short of the goal line on third down.

Facing fourth-and-goal with the ball inches from the end zone, Moody brought Lowry under center.

The quarterback scored on a sneak, and McPherson's extra point put the Blue Devils ahead 53-46.

Sylacauga's final possession began with Chambliss being stopped for a loss on first down.

Tarpley followed with a physical run that brought the football to approximately the two-yard line.

On third-and-goal, Jacks went under center and pushed across for the touchdown.

The score made it 53-52.

Smelley elected to go for two, placing the football in Tarpley's hands from the Wild Aggie formation.

Moody called timeout before Sylacauga could run the play. Following the timeout, Tarpley again lined up to take the direct snap.

He attempted to power through the middle, but the football came loose near the goal line. Moody recovered in the end zone to end the game.

Sylacauga's offensive line was among the team's strongest position groups throughout the night.

Nichols, Sanders, Riggins, Weaver and Nunn helped the Aggies consistently gain yardage against a Moody defense featuring highly regarded defensive end Ba'roc Willis.

Nunn's move to center following Crocker's injury was particularly important, allowing the offense to continue operating without its starting center.

Tarpley contributed as a runner, receiver and defender, scoring on a touchdown reception and a direct-snap run while making several important defensive tackles. He was named the Star Physical Therapy Player of the Game by the Aggie Sports Network.

Chambliss repeatedly gave Sylacauga explosive plays on the ground, while Riley caught two touchdown passes and contributed in the return game.

Jacks threw three touchdown passes, scored in the second overtime and helped direct an offense that produced 52 points despite the weather conditions.

Moody's rushing attack, however, proved difficult for Sylacauga to contain. The Blue Devils scored several touchdowns on long runs and converted critical short-yardage opportunities, including two fourth downs on their go-ahead drive late in regulation.

Sylacauga now turns its attention to Clay Central, which defeated Lincoln on Friday night.

With Jacksonville's region games removed from the standings, the Aggies remain in position to secure a playoff berth with a victory over the Volunteers next week.

The Aggies will enter that contest following two consecutive games in which their offense moved the football effectively, including last week's 28-20 win at Lincoln.

Friday's 53-52 loss demonstrated Sylacauga's ability to score against one of the region's most talented teams, but also exposed defensive issues that must be addressed before the trip to Clay Central.

With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the Aggies will have an opportunity next Friday to earn a postseason berth despite coming up one point short against Moody.