Sand Mountain Reporter

ATTALLA — Albertville senior Mikey Hood called it “Mud Bowl ’09.”

No matter how you describe Friday’s Albertville-Etowah matchup in the bog at Jim Glover Field, the outcome is the same: Albertville 14, Etowah 13.

The Aggies (2-2, 1-2) defeated the Blue Devils (1-3, 1-2) for the first time since 1981, ending the program’s so-called “Etowah curse.”

Etowah had won the last 13 meetings in the series prior to Friday’s matchup in Class 5A, Region 7 play.

Thunderstorms delayed Friday’s kickoff for 75 minutes, until 8:15.

The Aggies rode the performance of junior running back Tyree Roberts as they sloshed their way to their historic victory.

Roberts had a career-high 40 carries for 176 yards and scored both AHS touchdowns.

“It’s huge, it’s huge,” Albertville head coach Joel Poole said.

“I hope it proves to our kids that they can believe in each other and believe in themselves, because that’s what it’s going to take to keep winning.

“And I hope this shows that we can do it.”

Etowah’s Chris Williams intercepted a pass on the second play of the game, returning it 20 yards to the AHS 7-yard line.

Miles Nordgren scored on a 1-yard sneak with 10:32 left in the first period.

The Aggies took over at the Etowah 47 following a 17-yard punt and scored in 12 plays, with Roberts punching it in from the 2 at the 8:08 mark of the second period.

Nathan Spence’s PAT tied it 7-7.

A 7-yard Etowah punt gave the Aggie offense possession at the Blue Devils’ 39-yard line.

Roberts capped a seven-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, launching himself into the air as he crossed the goal line with 3:14 remaining in the second.

Spence’s kick gave AHS a 14-7 cushion.

Etowah’s Chris Williams recovered an Aggie fumble with 7:51 to go in the third quarter.

Three plays later, Cam Mathis burst through the line and raced 45 yards to the end zone with 6:25 on the clock.

But Blake Perry hooked the PAT wide left, leaving Albertville in front 14-13.

The Aggies played keep away in the fourth period, running 18 plays to Etowah’s four to seal their win.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

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