Deshler’s Reid signs with Samford, helps propel Tigers to 3rd round

It was one heck of a few days for Deshler Tiger senior and multi-sport athlete Garrett Reid.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the young man signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Samford in Birmingham while surrounded by friends, family and teammates in the high school auditorium.

Reid signs as a pitcher after helping Deshler win its first-ever state championship in baseball during the spring.

Fast forward about 32 hours, and Reid was flying off the edge and making a game-winning point after block to secure a 31-30 overtime win for the Tigers over the previously undefeated Hamilton Aggies in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

He finished the game with five receptions for 148 yards, three total touchdowns and an interception.

Not a bad two days.

“It feels good,” Reid said after the signing ceremony. “I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life. It’s what I’ve worked for, and it feels good now that it has finally paid off. When I moved here my sophomore year, it just felt like home. It’s been a great experience winning a state championship in baseball, and now we’re looking forward to try and make a run in football.”

Hamilton led 10-7 at the half, but Deshler made a comeback and held a 24-17 lead with about three minutes left in regulation.

Hamilton was forced to make a conversion on fourth and 1 from the Deshler 15-yard line, but the Aggies picked up the first down.

On third and goal from the 2-yard line with just 40 seconds left, Hamilton tied the game at 24-24.

So, the game would need overtime to determine a winner. Not a bad outcome for a matchup between an 11-0 and 10-1 team in the postseason.

Hamilton won the coin toss and deferred, meaning Deshler would have the ball first.

In high school, both teams get the ball first and goal from the 10-yard line in each overtime frame.

After the first overtime, teams are required to go for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown.

This setup remains until a victor is decided.

However, the Tigers would only need one overtime period to hand Hamilton its first home loss since Oct. 13, 2023, and end its best season in 15 years.

Price Thornton scored on an 11-yard run and Tripp Brooks sailed the point after through the uprights to put Deshler up 31-24.

Hamilton had a pass deflected on its possession, but the ball fell right into the awaiting hands of an Aggie receiver for a score.

Reid blocked the ensuing PAT, and Hamilton suffered its first and only loss of 2025.

“I have a ton of respect for their team, and I’m proud of our guys and the way they battled,” said Deshler head coach Patrick Malone. “You never bet against the Tigers.”

Deshler not only held Hamilton to its lowest point total in regulation of the season at 24 (the Aggies scored 28 against Good Hope), but the loss means Hamilton has not defeated the Tigers in football (still) since Nov. 14, 1924, the second-ever meeting of the two.

Deshler now holds an 18-1-0 all-time record against the Aggies.

As for Reid, he said once he gets to Samford, he will do whatever he can to help the team.

Just as he has done in multiple sports at Deshler.

As for the Tigers’ football team, the road only gets harder the deeper into the postseason.

Deshler will host undefeated Anniston (12-0) at Howard Chappell Stadium on Nov. 21.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 44-12 victory over Madison Academy.

As far as on paper goes, Anniston has scored fewer points than Deshler on the season (472 vs. 429), but the Bulldogs have also given up fewer (168 vs. 121).

The only thing for certain is this game should prove to be another tough test for Deshler, though both teams have earned their way into the third round.

The Tigers last played the Bulldogs on the gridiron in 2019, a 30-13 win for Anniston. However, Deshler is 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs.

The winner will earn a semifinal matchup against either Good Hope (10-2) or Plainview (12-0).