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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain WR Devan Moss #8 returns the kick off during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Cheerleaders during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Student Trainers bundle up and try to keep warm during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Cheerleaders during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain parents under blankets during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain students section during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Colorguard during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Colorguard during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Band Members during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Team Captain Kameron Peterson #7 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Team Captain during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
The official showing the result of the coin toss before a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Band members during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Band members during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Band members during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain QB Evan Smith #9 is sacked and fumbles the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain RB Cade George #10 is tackled from behind during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
The Clay-Chalkville RB fights for extra yardage during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Lazarius Hinkle #4 runs in for the TD during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville band during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville band during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Kicker Hogan Morton #20 kicks the extra point during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Khalib Johnson #2 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain RB Judah Tait #33 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain LB Mattox Vines #59 looks to the sideline for the play during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain DE Braxton O'Brien #97 tackles the Clay RB during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain LB Cameron Atkinson #7 tackles the Clay RB during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Band during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain LB Mattox Vines #59 jumps to tackle the Clay RB during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain DB Dean Null #39 jumps to tackle the Clay RB during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Lazarius Hinkle #4 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain DB Zach Taylor #24 tackles the Clay RB during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville WR Marquarius White #3 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville WR Antonio Miles #5 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
The Clay-Chalkville QB Khalib Johnson #2 looks to the sideline for the call during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville WR Marquarius White #3 is all by himself with a deep touchdown catch during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain QB Evan Smith #9 scrambles during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain’s Mark Johnson #4 outruns the Clay defense during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain QB Evan Smith #9 scrambles during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Majoretts during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain SS Jaquarius Davis #31 during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain students section during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Oak Mountain Band Members during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville vs. Oak Mountain Football
Clay-Chalkville Student Trainers during a game between Oak Mountain and Clay-Chalkville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, on Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium in Clay.
CLAY – Oak Mountain High School fell short at Clay-Chalkville Thursday night, losing to the Cougars 21-14 in the final contest of the regular season for each school.
The Eagles’ (6-4) bid for a comeback in the second half was doomed by two empty trips inside the Cougars’ 5-yard line paired with a wild sequence of events. Following an Edward Osley 2-yard touchdown plunge that gave the hosts an early second-half advantage, Oak Mountain marched 65 yards in eight plays, reaching the Clay-Chalkville 3-yard line. The Cougars (9-1), however, thwarted the scoring chance and forced and recovered a fumble to maintain their lead.
The Eagles showed resolve on the ensuing defensive possession when Mattox Vines broke through and blocked a Cougars’ punt to give Oak Mountain prime field position. The Eagles offense stalled at the 3-yard line once again and LaMar Croskey of Clay-Chalkville raced in off the left edge and blocked a 22-yard field goal attempt on fourth down.
Junior quarterback Evan Smith led one last opportunity for the Eagles into Cougars territory late – including a fourth-down conversion via 12-yard Noah Young reception – but a desperation heave with time winding down was picked off at the goal line by Kameron Peterson and Clay-Chalkville was able to run out the final few seconds.
Smith was consistently explosive, amassing 208 rushing yard and two scores on 13 attempts, including an 81-yard burst on the first play from scrimmage and a 77-yard scamper midway through the second quarter. Despite the dynamic scoring plays, the Cougars defense managed the option attack against its foe well, led by senior linebacker Jonathan Harris, who bottled up the dive portion of the ground attack all night and chipped in with a sack.
“Jonathan is a great football player and he has played well the entire year. I’m so proud of him. He’s a great person and a kid that comes to work every day and I’m happy he had a good game tonight,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer said.
Clay-Chalkville used a balanced attack that featured three different Cougars notching touchdowns. Quarterback Khalib Johnson tossed a 59-yard strike to Marquarius White and running back Lazarius Hinkle picked up a 14-yard touchdown run in the first half in addition to Osley’s third-quarter score.
“Everyone came out healthy and we got a win and end on a positive note going into the playoffs, which is what you want,” Gilmer said.
Both teams qualified for the state playoffs in their respective classifications. Oak Mountain will travel to play Austin, the top seed from Class 7A, Region 4. Clay-Chalkville hosts Southside-Gadsden in the opening round of the 6A playoffs.
Click here to view and purchase photos from the game.
