WATCH LIVE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 3:00 PM

Game Overview

The 2A Championship will feature Tuscaloosa Academy’s passing game against Reeltown’s run game. Another contrast in styles. 2A Back of the Year Preston Lancaster led the Knights last year and throws the ball just about better than anyone else in the state. Reeltown can throw the ball, too, and they do it pretty well – but their goal is to run the ball. Both teams accrued about 5,300 yards this season. Style matters, but efficiency matters more.

Preview: Reeltown Rebels

This will be Reeltown’s second consecutive trip to the 2A Championship game. Last year, they hung with eventual State Champion Fyffe until midway through the 2nd half when Fyffe pulled away to claim the title.

The Rebels run the ball about 70% of the time, which means they pass more than in previous years.

“We’re a run first team, but we are more balanced this year,” said Coach Matt Johnson. 

Jamarkius Smith, a sophomore, runs the offense. He threw for over 2,000 yards and threw 31 touchdown passes. He also rushed for over 250 yards and 2 touchdowns. When Smith goes to the air, he has a trio of senior receivers to throw to.

Tae Martin, Fin Henderson and Catavius Martin all factored into the passing game, along with Alijah Woods. Tae Martin went for 957 yards and 16 touchdowns. Traylen Roberts leads the ground attack with 1,450 yards and 14 scores.

Tae Martin, Zarrell Lockhart, Ja’Markius Smith, Devin Bragg and Woods are also a threat in the passing game. The offensive line gets solid play and leadership from Bowman Brumbeloe, Ace Foy, Dylan Bryant and Baylor Clayton. This group plays both sides of the ball as do defensive leaders Martin and Henderson.

After dropping the 1st game of the season to T.R. Miller, the then number-one 4A team, Reeltown’s average margin of victory was 38 points per game. Highland Home bit into that average when they fought the Rebels tooth and nail before Reeltown escaped with a 6-0 win in the semi-finals.

“We play relentlessly,” said Coach Matt Johnson. “We play with a lot of guts and play for 48 minutes. We found different ways to win this year because we had great senior leadership.”

Preview: Tuscaloosa Academy Knights

Preston Lancaster makes Tuscaloosa Academy go. This season, he has thrown for over 4,000 yards and threw 45 touchdowns. He also rushed for over 400 yards and added another 11 touchdowns on the ground. For his career, he has thrown for over 10,000 yards in his three years as a starter. Senior Haston Crawford helps anchor the offensive line that protects Lancaster. Senior Eddie Thompson grinded out another 500+ yards and 8 touchdowns this season. When Lancaster drops back to pass, his favorite targets are junior Hookena Rego (1,469 yards) and senior Ellis Hamiter, who also stars on defense and returns kicks. Seniors Kaleb Colgrove and Mills Turnipseed also get into the receiving action along with sophomores Matthew Atkins and Mark Norris.

Senior Ford Beeker is another 2023 All-State performer and leads the defense as a linebacker.

“We pass the ball 80% of the time,” Coach Josh Wright said. “That’s just what we’re built for. Our senior class is the core of this group. They really bought into what we are doing, and they got better every year. When these guys leave school, they are still all together. They may be hunting or just hanging out, but they spend time together.”

Final Thoughts

Reeltown will try to slow things down with their run game. Tuscaloosa Academy will come “arms” blazing. If Reeltown gets the running game going, they’ll dictate the pace of the game. If the Knights can get the passing game going, they’ll have a chance to get the Rebels out of their game. It will be a great match-up between the coaches and two outstanding teams.

RELATED: 4A PREVIEW: Cherokee County vs. Jackson, 6A PREVIEW: Parker vs. Saraland

APT's high school football previews give an overview of the Super 7 Championship teams. They include coach interviews, player stats and more. See all previews and view the full schedule here.