Spanish Fort 10, Baldwin County 0

Passarelli helps Toros take region shut out over Tigers

Michael Hanich, GCM Sports
Posted 10/15/18

BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- It was another solid defensive performance from Spanish Fort as they shut out the Baldwin County High Tigers 10-0 in Bay Minette. The Toros needed their defense to pick up the …

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Spanish Fort 10, Baldwin County 0

Passarelli helps Toros take region shut out over Tigers

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- It was another solid defensive performance from Spanish Fort as they shut out the Baldwin County High Tigers 10-0 in Bay Minette. The Toros needed their defense to pick up the extra pressure with former starting quarterback Jackson Burkhalter out for the season with a torn ACL suffered during last week’s 22-0 victory over the St. Paul’s Saints.

Spanish Fort sophomore Nick Passarelli got the start and senior running back Mike Franklin carried for 22 rushing attempts. The Toros offensive line was tasked to take the pressure off the new starting quarterback against this aggressive Tigers defense. Baldwin County’s defense had seven total tackles for loss. The Tigers’ Jeffery Johnson accounted for 12 and a half total tackles and three and a half tackles for loss. The Tigers’ other defensive end Albany Casey also found success in stopping the run on the ends with two tackles for loss.

The Toros’ offense found weaknesses in the Tigers’ defense. Early in the second quarter, Passarelli found receiver Kris Abrams-Draine in the corner of the end zone for a 22-yard score. Two drives later, Toros kicker Matt Quinn nailed a 37-yard field goal. Passarelli finished the game with nine completions (out of 16 attempts) for 72 yards and a touchdown.

After the game, Spanish Fort head coach Ben Blackmon mentioned Passarelli and his performance.

“I think he played well. I know there's going to be growing pains. He'll continue to build confidence. I'm really pleased with him, he didn't turn it over and give them short field. That's what we asked him to do.”

Baldwin County’s offense was put into multiple bad situations thanks to the tremendous punting from Ryan Duff. Overall, the Tigers offense could not get a consistent drive going even with their talented freshman dual-threat quarterback Anthony Mix.

One of Toros defensive coordinator Tony Stonicher’s philosophy is using the defensive line to contain the outside. Throughout the game, the Toros defense rarely allowed positive yards from the outside unless if it was a screen. This left the interior defense to do work in and cause some disruptions in the running and passing game.

The passing defense of the Toros was led by cornerback Desmond “DJ” James who had three tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions. Duff, who also plays outside linebacker accounted for three and a half tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass deflection.

Toros defensive linemen Carlos Johnson, Jr. and Montaj Cook each blocked a field goal against the Tigers. SF middle linebacker Brayden Moore also had an interception.

For the Tigers, quarterback Mix threw for 87 yards and 11 completions (out of 29 attempts with three interceptions) and rushed for 117 yards on 20 rushes.

Region play continues this Friday for both teams. The Baldwin County High School Tigers (3-4) will travel to face the Robertsdale Golden Bears (2-6). The Spanish Fort Toros, who are on a 6-game win streak, will host the Blount Leopards (5-2).