AHSAA: Elba wins state title

Tuscaloosa, Ala.--Elba High School senior Michael Lindsey rushed 22 times for 157 yards and scored four touchdowns Friday to lift the Tigers to a 34-14 win over Tanner in the Class 2A finals. The state crown was the first for Elba (15-0) since 1989 and only the second in school history.

Lindsey’s first touchdown of the game for Coach Scott Rials' Tigers came in the first quarter when he grabbed a 46-yard pass from Austin Johnson to climax an 86-yard, nine-play drive and put the Tigers ahead 7-0. Tanner (14-1) bounced back to take a 14-7 lead on touchdown runs of two and nine yards by Kyle Shoulders and Landon Stephens, respectively.

Michael Lindsey broke free on a 35-yard scoring run with 1:49 left in the half to tie the game at 14 all. His 6-yard touchdown run midway through the third period put Elba ahead to stay. Darrean Burks added an insurance score later in the period with a dazzling 49-yard run.

Lindsey closed out the scoring with 41 seconds left when he broke off tackle for 20 yards and a tochdown on a play designed just to get a first down.

Burks added 142 yards rushing on 12 carries and another 33 yards on a key punt return that set up Lindsey’s second touchdown of the first half. Johnson had 62 yards on 12 tries as the Tigers rolled up 372 yards on 53 attempts. Johnson was also five-of-11 passing for 77 yards.

The 34 points gave Rials’ Tigers 752 on the year, an average of 50.1 per game, to lead the state in scoring. The single season point total is the second highest in AHSAA history.

Stephens had 127 yards on 23 carries to pace Tanner. He also completed two-of-11 passes for 23 yards.

Martin Henderson led Elba’s defense with 11 tackles. Tony Hill also had three stops and an interception. Fredrick Rich had 11 stops while Greg Maclin and Chance Edwards added 10 each for the Rattlers.
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