By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
ALBERTVILLE — Under Halloween night lights, Alabama’s oldest high school football rivalry lived up to its billing once again — tension, momentum swings and a late surge that nearly flipped the script.
Albertville (1-9) pushed No. 8 Guntersville to the brink in Friday’s 111th meeting at Vernon Wells Stadium, but the Wildcats (9-1) held on for a 27-19 victory to secure their seventh straight win in the series as they head into the Class 5A state playoffs.
The Aggies — shut out in their previous three outings — showed early promise, rolling up yards and confidence. Quarterback C.J. Zuniga completed 18-of-24 passes for 224 yards, while the Aggies totaled 355 yards of offense on the night, but two empty red-zone drives in the first quarter proved costly. One stalled inside the 20, another inside the 5, keeping the rivals locked in a scoreless tie after the first quarter.
After Albertville’s defense forced a pair of interceptions in the second quarter (one by Cooper Scott and one by Tay Prater), the Aggie offense finally broke through with 1:11 left in the half, when Zuniga found Brandt Sweatt for a 12-yard touchdown to cap a short-field drive set up by a short Guntersville punt. A blocked PAT left the Aggies ahead 6-0 — but not for long.
Guntersville quarterback Street Smith answered quickly, zipping a 20-yard scoring strike to Jack Lenoir with just 11 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead at the break.
Albertville opened the second half by grinding out a 61-yard march deep into Guntersville territory, but a blocked field goal again swung momentum.
The Wildcats seized it and never fully let go.
Smith — who finished with 171 yards and two touchdown passes while also rushing for 51 yards and another score — connected with Dadrien Waller on a 27-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining in the third. After forcing a quick punt, he kept the ball on a 17-yard scamper into the end zone, stretching the lead to 21-6.
Yet, the Aggies showed the grit that defines this rivalry. On the next snap, Taliq Saint reeled in a pass from Zuniga, and Saint — who racked up 134 yards and two touchdowns on six catches — raced 81 yards to slice the deficit to 21-12 just before the end of the third quarter.
Guntersville tailback Garrett Christie, who carried 14 times for 73 yards, barreled in from six yards out with 9:37 to play to make it 27-12.
Still, Albertville refused to fold. Zuniga and Saint connected again — this time a 6-yard score with four minutes left — pulling the Aggies within 27-19.
Albertville recovered the ensuing onside kick, giving them a real chance at a miracle finish.
But on the very next play, a Wildcat interception halted the comeback and allowed Guntersville to drain the clock and escape with the win — one far tighter than many expected.
With the loss, Albertville ends the 2025 season 1-9 overall (1-6 in 7A, Region 4). Guntersville ends the regular season at 9-1 and will host Priceville (7-3) for its first-round matchup of the Class 5A State Playoffs.
The Aggies defense swarms to the ball to tackle Guntersville’s Street Smith (11). Photo by TAYLOR BECK l The Leader
