Perfect Season Continues as Hillcrest Cruises to Round Two

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Hillcrest kept its perfect season intact Friday night as the Patriots improved to 10-0 with a dominant 50-7 victory over Stanhope-Elmore in the first round of the Class 5A AHSAA playoffs, fueled by 43 first-half points and two special teams touchdowns.

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Hillcrest wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as junior wide receiver Corey Kimble returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.

Stanhope-Elmore answered on the next drive as junior quarterback Tray Smith threw a screen pass to junior wide receiver Leland Merritt, who took it 75 yards to the end zone to make it 8-7 with 10:09 left in the first quarter. 

That proved to be Stanhope-Elmore's only score of the night, as Hillcrest responded with 35 unanswered points before halftime.

Junior running back Jacobi Harris scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, with one from four yards out and another from eight yards out, while senior running back Dylan Taylor also had a pair of touchdowns, both from a yard out to give Hillcrest a 36-7 lead with 6:07 left in the second quarter.

Before the end of the first half, Hillcrest’s special teams unit scored for the second time of the night as a wave of Patriots blocked the Mustangs' punt, which rolled into the end zone and senior outside linebacker Kingston Jackson recovered.

With a commanding 43-7 halftime lead, Hillcrest turned to its reserves for the remainder of the game. The Patriots added one final touchdown on a four-yard rush by sophomore running back AJ Shepherd while keeping the Mustangs scoreless, cruising to a 50-7 victory.

Hillcrest will face Saraland in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs Friday, Nov. 13, in a rematch of the Patriots' 2023 second-round defeat to the Spartans. The Patriots will look to avenge that loss and keep their undefeated season and state championship hopes alive.

Micah Nichols covers Alabama baseball, football, and basketball for Tide 100.9. Follow @MicahNichols0 on X for in-game updates, highlights, and more Crimson Tide coverage.