STAFF REPORTS
BOAZ — Boaz didn’t just defend its home turf Friday night — the Pirates made a statement.
Behind a smothering defense and explosive playmaking on offense, Boaz blanked Class 3A No. 4 Geraldine 20-0 at L.F. Corley Jr. Stadium, handing the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
It marked Geraldine’s first trip to Boaz since 1970, but the Pirates (4-1, 1-1 in Class 5A, Region 8) were anything but gracious hosts.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 3-0 in Class 3A, Region 7) entered having outscored opponents 212-47 through four weeks, including a dominant 41-14 win over Sardis, a 5A Region 8 member. But on this night, Geraldine was held scoreless despite controlling possession for more than 30 minutes and running 17 more plays than Boaz.
Boaz struck late in the first half when quarterback Beau Bennett connected with his cousin, Sage Bennett, for a 17-yard touchdown with 30 seconds left before halftime.
The Pirates stretched their lead in the third quarter as running back Presley Fant broke free for a 53-yard scoring run, giving Boaz a 14-0 cushion.
Early in the fourth, the Bennetts linked up again — this time on a 31-yard strike — to push the margin to 20-0 and effectively seal the upset.
Fant led all rushers with 124 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Sage Bennett was just as electric, hauling in five receptions for 99 yards and two scores while also rushing for 30 yards. Beau Bennett finished 6-of-13 with 113 yards passing and two touchdowns and an interception.
Geraldine moved the ball on the ground, getting 82 rushing yards from Eli Schlageter, but couldn’t finish drives. The Bulldogs were 0-for-3 in the red zone and turned it over twice on interceptions. But Geraldine’s defense also intercepted a pair of Boaz passes from the Bennetts.
Boaz posted 284 yards of total offense compared to Geraldine’s 186. The Pirates averaged nearly seven yards per play while limiting the Bulldogs to just 3.2.
The win gave Boaz a 12-9-1 edge in the all-time series and redemption after falling 49-20 in last year’s meeting.
The Pirates will return to region play next week at home against Sardis (1-6), while Geraldine looks to regroup against region foe Collinsville (4-1).
Boaz junior Noah Ford (16) closes in for a tackle against Geraldine during Friday night’s win. Photo by BENTLEY GRAY l For The Leader
