Sunday, April 28, 2024

Baldwin County names on display at Auburn, Samford football game

Spanish Fort's James squares off with Daphne's Steward, Foley's Taylor on The Plains

BY COLE McNANNA
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com

Posted 9/17/23

AUBURN — From the recruit section to the field, Baldwin County connections were aplenty Saturday evening on The Plains as the Auburn Tigers hosted the Samford Bulldogs.

On the field were …

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Baldwin County names on display at Auburn, Samford football game

Spanish Fort's James squares off with Daphne's Steward, Foley's Taylor on The Plains

Spanish Fort alum DJ James celebrates a tackle for loss during the Auburn Tigers’ homecoming game against the Samford Bulldogs on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. He was joined in representing Baldwin County by Samford’s Midnight Steward and Forrest Taylor.

Spanish Fort alum DJ James celebrates a tackle for loss during the Auburn Tigers’ homecoming game against the Samford Bulldogs on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. He was joined in representing Baldwin County by Samford’s Midnight Steward and Forrest Taylor.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Daphne alum Midnight Steward tracks the release of Auburn junior Rivaldo Fairweather during the second half of Samford’s Saturday night game on Pat Dye Field. Steward finished with 2 tackles in the Bulldogs’ 45-13 defeat.

Daphne alum Midnight Steward tracks the release of Auburn junior Rivaldo Fairweather during the second half of Samford’s Saturday night game on Pat Dye Field. Steward finished with 2 tackles in the Bulldogs’ 45-13 defeat.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Foley alum Forrest Taylor warms up for action between the Samford Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, in Auburn. Taylor previously kicked for the Coffeyville Red Ravens and is with Samford for his junior season as one of more than 100 Baldwin County graduates at the next level.

Foley alum Forrest Taylor warms up for action between the Samford Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, in Auburn. Taylor previously kicked for the Coffeyville Red Ravens and is with Samford for his junior season as one of more than 100 Baldwin County graduates at the next level.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Foley senior receiver and Auburn commit Perry Thompson surveys the scene on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium before the Tigers’ homecoming contest against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 16. He was joined by Lion teammates Arnez Jones and Danarius Yearling in taking in the action from the recruit section.

Foley senior receiver and Auburn commit Perry Thompson surveys the scene on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium before the Tigers’ homecoming contest against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 16. He was joined by Lion teammates Arnez Jones and Danarius Yearling in taking in the action from the recruit section.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Samford junior Kourtlan Marsh comes down with an interception in the end zone during the Bulldogs’ game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night.

Samford junior Kourtlan Marsh comes down with an interception in the end zone during the Bulldogs’ game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne extends the ball over the goal line for the second of his two rushing touchdowns on the night as part of the Tigers’ 45-13 win over the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Thorne became the first Auburn quarterback since 2014 to record more than 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game.

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne extends the ball over the goal line for the second of his two rushing touchdowns on the night as part of the Tigers’ 45-13 win over the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Thorne became the first Auburn quarterback since 2014 to record more than 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Tiger senior DJ James warms up for Auburn’s homecoming contest against the Samford Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Spanish Fort alum collected 4 tackles and a pass breakup to help the Tigers collect their 32nd straight homecoming victory.

Tiger senior DJ James warms up for Auburn’s homecoming contest against the Samford Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Spanish Fort alum collected 4 tackles and a pass breakup to help the Tigers collect their 32nd straight homecoming victory.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Samford junior Midnight Steward (9) celebrates an interception by Jaden Mosley (33) on the Bulldog sideline in the first half of Saturday’s contest at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. It was one of two takeaways earned by the Samford defense in the non-conference tilt.

Samford junior Midnight Steward (9) celebrates an interception by Jaden Mosley (33) on the Bulldog sideline in the first half of Saturday’s contest at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. It was one of two takeaways earned by the Samford defense in the non-conference tilt.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Bulldog junior Forrest Taylor watches on during the non-conference game between Samford and the Auburn Tigers on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Foley alum was one of plenty familiar faces on The Plains between active players and potential Auburn recruits.

Bulldog junior Forrest Taylor watches on during the non-conference game between Samford and the Auburn Tigers on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Foley alum was one of plenty familiar faces on The Plains between active players and potential Auburn recruits.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Posted Sunday, September 17, 2023 5:47 pm

BY COLE McNANNA
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com

AUBURN — From the recruit section to the field, Baldwin County connections were aplenty Saturday evening on The Plains as the Auburn Tigers hosted the Samford Bulldogs.

On the field were Spanish Fort’s DJ James for Auburn as well as Daphne’s Midnight Steward and Foley’s Forrest Taylor for Samford where the Tigers rolled 45-13 to their 32nd straight coming victory.

Steward collected 2 total tackles and James registered 4 tackles, including one for a loss of 2 yards, and a pass breakup. James also provided pressure in the secondary that helped lead to an interception by Jaylin Simpson.

Potentially seeing themselves play on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium soon included some familiar faces in the recruit section.

Among the prospective talent in the building Saturday night was Auburn commit Perry Thompson along with Foley teammates Arnez Jones and Danarius Yearling, as well as Zach Taylor from St. Michael Catholic.

Follow @GCMSportsAL on social media for more pictures from The Plains.