BEAU MAKES HISTORY: Boaz quarterback sets single-game scoring record
By DRUW GIAMALVA, Sports Editor
BOAZ — It was an explosive Homecoming for the Boaz Pirates as they battled the Columbia Eagles on Friday night at L.F. Corley Field. The Pirates would explode for a season-high 61 points while sophomore quarterback Beau Bennett would make history with a single-game Boaz record of six passing touchdowns against the Eagles. Beau’s top target Sage Bennett would also have a big night as he finished with four receiving touchdowns which ties a single-game record.
“Beau did a really good job,” said Boaz head coach Luke Pruitt. “I really liked his play going into it. Our offensive line kept him clean and the receivers made plays. I’m just proud of him. He has had a great sophomore year.”
The victory for Boaz continues to put them atop the Region 8 standings as they sit at 4-0 in region play while also improving to 5-1 overall. Boaz is joined by the Arab Knights as the only teams to be undefeated in Region 8 play. The two will meet on October 16 with Boaz hosting.
The Region 8 matchup between the Pirates and the Eagles began with Boaz on offense. The Pirates didn’t waste much time putting together their first scoring drive as Beau Bennett would find tight end Jaxxon Taylor in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead over the Eagles.
After the Pirate defense would force a three-and-out on the Eagles, the Bennett duo would connect on their first touchdown of the night as Beau would launch a 20-yard touchdown pass to Sage to put the Pirates up 15-0 to end the first quarter.
Boaz receiver Sage Bennett tied a single-game record of four receiving touchdowns in the 61-27 win over Columbia. Sage also produced 212 yards on 10 catches. DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
The next Pirate drive would be led by running back Dayton Porter who would start the drive with two big first down runs. Porter would cap off the drive with a 17-yard rushing touchdown to take a 21-0 lead.
After a scoring drive by Columbia, the Pirates would respond in a big way as the Bennett duo would stir again with Beau finding Sage for a deep 50-yard touchdown to increase the Boaz lead to 28-6.
Despite the quick scores by Boaz, Columbia had their fair share of big plays as they responded right back with a Tremayne Gilbert 65-yard touchdown pass to James Patterson to cut Boaz’s lead to 28-14.
With the ball back in Boaz’s hands, Beau would continue to make impressive plays as he started the drive with first down passes to Sage and Cooper Whorton. In the red zone, Beau would once again find Sage for a 17-yard score to take a 35-14 lead over Columbia.
Following an interception by Griffin Lee, the Pirates would be set up at the 5-yard line where Porter would rush in for his second score of the night. Boaz would enter halftime with a 41-14 lead.
To open up the second half, Beau would get back to work as he produced first down passes to Whorton and Porter. Beau would toss his fifth touchdown of the night to Porter with a 15-yard score to make it a 48-14 lead for Boaz.
The Boaz defense would come up with another big play as Brantley Berry would recover a fumble for the Pirates. Berry’s recovery would set up an 18-yard rushing touchdown for Brady McInerney to put Boaz up by 40 points.
In one last attempt for the school-record sixth touchdown, Beau would connect with a 56-yard touchdown to Sage to cement his name in the record books. Boaz would go on to celebrate homecoming with a 61-27 victory over Columbia.
“I have to thank the guys up front and my receivers for getting open,” Beau said. “I didn’t get sacked one time tonight and our guys were open all night. It is just to see hard work pay off.”
Beau’s legacy game would see him finish with 328 passing yards and six touchdowns. Sage would finish with 10 catches for 212 yards and four touchdowns. Porter would rush 14 times for 107 yards while producing three total touchdowns.
“Our kids did a great job tonight,” Pruitt said. “We’ve had three weeks of really good practice so I am proud of the way the guys played. We’re going to enjoy this one tonight and get ready to go to Fort Payne next week.”
The Pirates will look to stay undefeated in Region 8 play next week as they face a tough road test against the Fort Payne Wildcats.
Boaz quarterback Beau Bennett celebrates by putting up six fingers for his school-record sixth touchdown. Bennett would also finish with 328 passing yards in the 61-27 region win over Columbia. DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
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