After taking a 1-0 win last week due to a forfeit over Jefferson Christian, the Ragland Purple Devils finally took to the field last Friday, and defeated Addison 36-7 on the road.
Coach Jonathan Nix said he was proud of the guys.
“We had a two-hour road trip on the bus,” Nix said. “It took us out of our routine, but the guys stayed mentally prepared. We did not come out flat.”
Nix was right — his team was not flat as they scored three touchdowns in the first half and led 22-0 at halftime.
Quarterback KiJana Lindsay threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Brewster with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter. Lindsay ran in the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
In the second quarter, Devane Brewster scored from one yard out and Lindsay added the two-point conversion to make it 16-0 with 8:08 left before halftime.
With 3:01 left in the first half, Jimmy Brock caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Lindsay to make the halftime score 22-0.
Ragland’s defense was also able to put points on the scoreboard as Matt Hicks recovered an Addison fumble in the end zone with 7:18 remaining in the third quarter. The PAT by Sawyer Merritt was no good, but Ragland was ahead easily 28-0.
Addison scored its only touchdown with 2:10 left in third quarter as Seth Robinson ran the ball in from five yards out. The PAT by Jesse Seales was good to make it 28-7.
The only score of the fourth quarter came with 11:16 remaining in the game. Ragland’s Christian Morrow had a 10-yard touchdown run. He added the extra point to make the final score 36-7.
Lindsay was 7-of-9 passing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Brock had four receptions for 160 yards. Morrow had 69 yards on nine carries while Brewster had 57 yards on 14 carries.
The leading tacklers on defense were Hicks with 10, Brewster and Jaylen Brewster with eight each and Levi Campbell and Triston Turner with seven each.
Nix said although they have returning starters on both sides of the ball, the guys are now playing different positions.
“They have not played at these positions at the varsity level, and they stepped up,” Nix said. “Our defense played together tonight, and they know what their job is. Offensively, we did a great job. We have some tremendous playmakers on offense.”
Nix said it is the first time that he knows Ragland has made the long trip to Addison, and he believes it is the first time the Purple Devils have defeated Addison.
“The only other time Ragland played Addison was during the playoffs, and they came to Joan Ford Stadium a few years ago,” Nix said. “They came in 11-0 and left 12-0.”
Ragland is in one of the few nine-team regions in the state, so this win makes them 2-0 overall, and 2-0 in the region.
The Purple Devils are at home for the first time this season Friday as they take on Gaylesville.
The Purple Devils defeated Gaylesville twice last year — the first time in the regular season, 40-14, and then again in the opening round of the state playoffs, 46-8.
