Muscle Shoals earns big win in first round

The 2024 postseason continues for Muscle Shoals after the Trojans routed Mortimer Jordan 52-7 in the first round of the AHSAA state playoffs.

Jaquess Greene had a big game for Muscle Shoals, racking up multiple touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

He got the Trojans on the board with a 49-yard touchdown run midway through the opening quarter.

Jorge Garcia sailed the point after through the uprights, and Muscle Shoals led 7-0.

The Trojans would be set up with excellent field position when Marcus Johnson recovered a fumble at the Blue Devil 35-yard line.

Greene capped the drive with a short run, and Garcia notched another PAT.

This scoreline would remain until deep in the second quarter when Tari Hampton powered in a 3-yard run with just over two minutes to go before halftime.

However, the first half was not over yet.

Mortimer Jordan failed to use up enough time, and Muscle Shoals got one last possession before the break.

The Trojans made them pay, as Kade Clemmons connected with Greene on a 60-yard touchdown to make it 28-0 with 55 seconds remaining until intermission.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter before a 38-yard field goal made by Garcia increased the gap to 38-7.

Ezra Fowler would score on a 16-yard run, and Keiland Jackson added a short TD run of his own, with the final point of the contest earned on a PAT by Mason McBride.

Up next is a tough second-round test in the form of Clay-Chalkville, the same Cougar team that put the Trojans out of the 2023 postseason in the third round by a final of 44-27.

Muscle Shoals is now 8-2 on the season, while Clay-Chalkville comes in at 9-2.

The Cougars will travel to J.F. Moore Stadium in what is sure to be an epic 6A clash.

The winner will go on to face the victor of Mountain Brook and Parker.