GULF sHORES, Ala. -- High school football’s regular schedule is almost over with many teams fighting either to finish the season with a win or make a playoff appearance.

For the Gulf Shores Dolphins, they were looking for their first win of the season at home against their rival in the Spanish Fort Toros, who already clinched a playoff spot. The Dolphins were eager for that the first victory of the season but the Toros were ultimately more focused and determined to avoid any mistakes for a 45-0 shutout.

Toros head coach Ben Blackmon went up against one of his former assistants and one of his best friends in Matt Blake, now the head coach of the Dolphins. Blackmon reiterated to his team of the danger of overlooking a team like Gulf Shores when Spanish Fort plays the undefeated Saraland Spartans the following Friday.

Senior Conner Hegan played in his game of the season after recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the first game of baseball season last spring. He only ran the ball five times for 38 yards for an average of 7.6 yards per rush and a rushing touchdown. The entire Toros’ offense started out hot as Matthew Quinn kicked a 43-yard field goal then quickly kicked an onside kick recovered by wide receiver Brady Wiggins.

It only took five plays after the onside recovery for the Toros to score with a 20-yard scoring pass from Nick Passarelli to Kris-Abrams Draine to make the score 10-0. The Dolphins could not continue drives against the Toros tough defense. One play into the Toros’ first drive in the second quarter, Passarelli connected with Abrams-Draine for a 62-yard touchdown. The next play from scrimmage, Dolphin quarterback Judah Wilson threw a pass that was intercepted by Toro Michael Gaffney. The next play was a 6-yard rushing touchdown from Hegan. The first half ended with a Toros’ drive which resulted in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Passarelli to Abrams-Draine and a blocked Gulf Shores field goal from Toros Desmond James that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown return from

Michael Gaffney. The Toros finished the first half with a 38-0 lead. After the first drive of the second half in which Passarelli threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Finn Heath.

In the fourth quarter, Dolphins quarterback Judah Wilson connected on a 65-yard pass. Two plays later, Wilson was sacked by Jacob Davis and fumbled the ball where it was recovered by the Toros’ Shaun McCarthy.

Passarelli finished the game passing for 14 completions (out of 19 attempts) for 252 yards (an average of 18 yards) and four touchdowns. Abrams-Draine had for five receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Heath accounted for three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line did not allow a sack from the Dolphins defense.

Wilson threw for nine completions (out of 21 attempts) for 134 yards and an interception. The Gulf Shores Dolphins (0-9) will finish their season at home on Thursday, Nov. 1 against the BC Rain Raiders (0-9). The Spanish Fort Toros (8-1) will travel to the Saraland Spartans (9-0) to decide the 6A Region 1 title.