Fyffe Wins Third Straight State Championship

After a comeback for the ages in the 7A state title game between Auburn High School and Thompson High School Wednesday night, the theme of this year's state championship games is, no lead is safe,

Thursday morning the Fyffe High School Red Devils (15-0) defeated the Montgomery Catholic Knights (12-3) for the 3A state championship at Bryant Denny Stadium 21-16.

In the first half, the Knights came out fast in the first quarter. On the game's opening kick-off, D.J, Carter made the catch and ran the ball 65 yards on the return. Montgomery would settle for a field-goal and go up 3-0.

Knights quarterback Caleb McCeary threw two big touchdown passes to Myles Butler, highlighted by a screen pass for 56 yards and a score to go up 16-0 at the end of the first quarter, their last scoring play of the game.

The star of the game, Fyffe quarterback Ike Rowell, would bring Fyffe right back into the game in the second quarter. With two minutes to go in the first half, Rowell would rush for a touchdown and cut the lead to 16-6. Rowell would add to his big day on special teams as he would block a field goal attempt from the Knights and run it all the way back for a touchdown. The play, however, did not count due to a delay of game penalty.

After a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Rowell in the first minute of the 4th quarter, the lead was down to 16-13 in favor of Montgomery Catholic. A safety call against the Knights would help Fyffe and chip away at the score 16-15.

On the game's next drive, Rowell was untouched at the goal line and Fyfee would take the lead back 21-16 after a missed two point conversion. Montgomery Catholic would drive the ball down the field, but with two seconds to go McCeary threw a pass that dropped to the ground as time expired.

Fyffe head coach Paul Benefield, who also won his 300th game earlier this season, spoke to the media after the game and spoke on his team's will power throughout the contest.

"I knew these guys have no quit in them," Benefield said. "It's amazing honestly, but this championship is the sweetest one of them all. I don't know what else to say. We are not a team that comes-from-behind in games. It's unbelievable."

The MVP of the game was Fyffe quarterback Ike Rowell. Rowell would have 295 yards of total offense and would have a great special teams day totaling 104 yards on 5 returns. Rowell would rush for 140 yards and completed 5 of 7 passes for 155 yards.

Congratulations to the Fyffe High School Red Devils on a hard fought victory and another state championship! Keep it tuned into Tide 100.9 for coverage of the Super 7 AHSAA Playoff games throughout the rest of the week.