Sipsey Valley Storms Back to Hand Aliceville First Loss of the Season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Sipsey Valley overcame an early 13-point deficit, storming back with 48 unanswered points in the first half to beat Aliceville 60-27. Fueled by five defensive takeaways and five rushing touchdowns from senior running back Isaiah Bennett, the Bears handed the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season.

Aliceville struck first when sophomore quarterback TyQaualyn Glass fired an 85-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jerry Clark on the game's opening play. After a blocked PAT, the Yellow Jackets led 6-0 with 11:37 left in the first quarter.

On Sipsey's first play from scrimmage, the Bears threw an interception to Aliceville's sophomore defensive back Seth Jones, setting up the Yellow Jackets at their own 35-yard line. Aliceville took advantage, aided by a pass interference call on third and long, and Glass punched in a one-yard touchdown. After the PAT, the Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 13-0 with 7:22 left in the opening quarter.

That would be the last time the Yellow Jackets reached the end zone in the first half. Sipsey’s offense responded quickly, with Bennett leading a 50-yard drive that he capped with a one-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 13-6 with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Sipsey Valley’s defense then forced three consecutive turnovers, two fumbles, including a strip sack and another at midfield that wide receiver/safety Trey Cole returned to the Yellow Jackets’ 20-yard line. Junior wide receiver/defensive back Cooper Ensor also added an interception.

The Bears turned each takeaway into a touchdown. Bennett scored twice on five- and ten-yard runs, and senior quarterback Kingston Trull connected with junior wideout Chris Harris for a 40-yard touchdown pass. After a successful two-point conversion, Bennett’s second of the game, with his first coming after his five-yard rushing touchdown, Sipsey Valley led 28-13 with 10:52 left in the second quarter.

Bennett added his fourth rushing touchdown of the night with a 50-yard burst, breaking multiple tackles along the way. Following an unsuccessful two-point attempt, Sipsey led 34-13 with 8:42 remaining in the half.

Sipsey's defense continued its dominance, with Ensor snagging his second interception of the game. Quarterback Kingston Trull, also playing safety, returned an interception 50 yards for a pick-six, pushing the Bears’ lead to 40-13 with 2:13 left in the first half.

Before halftime, Trull found Cole on a perfectly placed 45-yard fade for another touchdown. Bennett then ran in his third two-point conversion of the night.

Sipsey Valley continued to dominate in the second half. Bennett opened the half with his fifth rushing touchdown of the night, and later in the third quarter, Trull added a two-yard rushing score for his fourth touchdown of the game.

Aliceville managed two second-half touchdowns on the ground from Glass, who finished with four total scores. However, it wasn’t enough, as Sipsey finished 60-27, handing the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season.

Sipsey Valley improved to 4-1 and will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 2, traveling to Demopolis to face the Tigers.

Aliceville dropped to 5-1 and will look to bounce back next Friday when they host Dallas County.

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 content.