Prep notebook: Pike County QB in state spotlight

Pike County quarterback Josh Parker was honored in the Alabama High School Athletic Association prep spotlight for his play in last week’s win over Daleville.

In being chosen, the AHSAA compared Parker’s performance to that of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

“Pike County High School senior quarterback Josh Parker did his best impression of Florida Gators quarterbacking sensation Tim Tebow Friday night,” said the AHSAA in a release about the spotlight winner.

“Parker, a tough-as-nails runner as well as a precision passer in the pocket or on the run, shredded a very good Daleville defense for 151 yards rushing and two touchdowns and also completed 6-of-10 passes for another 76 yards and two more touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat the Warhawks 34-0. He also had an interception on defense and delivered some of the game’s biggest hits from his safety position,” added the release.

Geneva’s Tate Sutherland was selected as one of the three finalists for the Alabama Sports Writers statewide defensive/special teams player of the week.

Sutherland had 12 tackles and combined with teammate Zack Morgan on a safety, the game’s only score in a 2-0 Panther win over Wicksburg.

Gaylesville’s Luke Murphy was named the defensive player of the week after posting 17 tackles, three sacks and three quarterback hurries in an 18-13 win over Valley Head. He also rushed for 41 yards with two touchdowns and threw a 11-yard touchdown pass.

Rogelio Ortega of Alexandria was the other finalist.

Overall, the Wiregrass had three players honored for top performances in the AHSAA and three tabbed by the ASWA.

The AHSAA honored Sutherland along with Straughn’s Josh Dewrell and Ariton’s Layton Grant.

The ASWA honored Parker, Dewrell and Grant.

Dewrell rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 8-yard run with 1:42 left, helping Straughn stun No. 1 T.R. Miller 28-21.

Grant rushed for 202 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns (22 and 90 yards) and had a 75-yard kickoff return to set up a score, helping the Purple Cats beat Florala 24-8.

Two finalists for Army Man: Pike County’s Parker and Ariton’s Grant are among the 10 finalists for this week’s Army Iron Man Award, which recognizes the top two-way performances.

Fans can vote for the winner at http://www.thesportsflash.com.

Seminole County falls out: After losing to Miller County last week, Seminole County fell out of the Associated Press and Atlanta Journal-Constitution state polls.

Record-wise: With just two weeks of regular-season play left, only seven of the Dothan Eagle’s 47 teams have clinched a winning record, though nine others can do so this week.

Those with a winning record already secured are Pike County (8-0), Daleville (6-2) in Class 3A, Elba (8-0), Houston Academy (7-1) and Houston County (7-1) in Class 2A, Pike Liberal Arts (6-1) in AISA and Seminole County (6-2) in Georgia.

Teams who could vault into the winning-record category this week are Dothan, Enterprise, Eufaula, Andalusia, Opp, Straughn, New Brockton, Goshen, Geneva County and Providence Christian.

All nine teams have five wins entering play this week.

Six other teams, currently with four wins, could also reach a winning plateau with wins in the next two weeks.

They are Ashford, Abbeville, Headland, Cottonwood, G.W. Long and Marianna.