【AL】 Central-Florence scores on final play to edge Westminster 70-69 – Alabama News

Jaden Smith’s 2-point run with no time on the clock gave host Central-Florence a 70-69 win over Westminster Christian in one of the highest scoring games in AHSAA history.

Central (3-2) trailed 69-62 when Jackson Brewer’s 30-yard pass on the final play of the fourth quarter was tipped by several players before landing in Drake Dorsett’s arms for a touchdown. Smith’s ran then capped a wild night in favor of Central after Westminster (3-2) stormed back from deficits of 34-14 at halftime and 54-34 early in the fourth quarter.

Westminster took a 69-62 lead on the combination of Brandon Musch’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Everleth and 2-point pass to Owen Lockett with 32 seconds left in the game. Central had gone ahead 62-61 with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter on Evan Hanback’s 2-yard TD run a Smith 2-point run.

Westminster recovered back-to-back onside kicks in the fourth quarter, both leading to Musch touchdown runs, to take its first lead of the game at 55-54 with 4:25 remaining. Central fumbled the next kickoff return, and Derrick Cumberlander scooped up the loose ball and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and a 61-54 Westminster lead at the 4:15 mark.

Star of the game: Musch recorded 577 total yards and nine touchdowns in a losing effort. He completed 37 of 57 passes for 467 yards and seven touchdowns, and he ran for 110 yards and two TDs on 19 carries. Musch’s touchdowns accounted for tied three other players for second-most in AHSAA history. Decatur Heritage quarterback Brayden Kyle set the record of 11 last season.

Stat sheet: Westminster – 586 total yards. Lockette caught 10 passes for 172 and four TDs, Amos Baldwin caught eight for 130 and one TD. Mahrk Royar caught seven for 73. Everleth caught nine for 67 and two TDs. Central – 650 total yards. Hanback gained 198 yards on 19 carries and scored two TDs. Hunter Palmer gained 90 yards on 14 carries and scored 3 TDs. Smith gained 58 yards and scored two TDs. Brewer was 7-of-13 passing for 201 yards with two TDs. Dorsett caught two passes for 88 and two TDs.

By the numbers: 139 – tied for the second-most combined points scored in AHSAA in history. Parrish’s 81-58 win over Hubbertville in 2003 also totaled 139. Childersburg’s 82-64 win over Central Coosa in 2016 is the highest scoring game. 28 – Westminster scored 28 points in only 3 minutes and 9 seconds in the fourth quarter.

What’s next? Central travels to Rogers next week. Westminster will visit DAR.