Matthew Quinn kicked the Toros to a six-point halftime lead over visiting Saraland with impressive field goals of 35 and 47 yards. But it was a 20-point third quarter scoring burst by Spanish Fort that sealed their 33-7 win
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SPANISH FORT — Matthew Quinn kicked the Toros to a six-point halftime lead over visiting Saraland with impressive field goals of 35 and 47 yards. But it was a 20-point third quarter scoring burst by Spanish Fort that sealed their 33-7, Class 6A, Region 1 home on The Hill victory over the Spartans.
Dubbed the Dual on the Delta, it was standing room only at Toro Stadium as ESPN2 broadcast the pivotal league contest to a nationwide television audience.
With Jack Samsel in at quarterback for his second start since transferring from Baker, Spanish Fort dominated the second half. The Toros defense - led by Thomas Johnston and Justin Thomas - checked both the powerful running of Johnathan Perry an and the passing attack led by Stanford commit Jack West.
Meanwhile Samsel tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Trae Barry to open the third quarter. The TD was set up with a Samsel-to-Jalen Wayne connection good for on a 31-yards to the Saraland 12. Samsel later finished two more Toros series with QB keepers good from 4 and 2 yards out. Spanish Fort special teams added to the Spartans' deficit when Tyler Miller fielded a punt and returned it 59 yards for another Toros's TD.
Ranked No. 6 in the state, Spanish Fort improved to 5-1 in the Class 6A Region 1 standings behind Blount. The Toros are 6-2 overall with both losses to No. 1 ranked teams, the 7A Yellow Jackets of McGill-Toolen Catholic and the Blount Leopards. West completed a 15-yard touchdown toss to Jakyrus Williams to put Saraland (5-4, 4-3) on the scoreboard.
Spanish Fort travels to B.C. Rain (Oct. 21) to take on the Red Raiders in another Region 1 matchup at Trimmier Park. Saraland is off until Oct. 27 when the host B,C, Rain for homecoming to wrap up the regular season.