DAPHNE — Bayside Academy junior linebacker Billy Neill came up big on both sides of the Admirals’ 14-0 win over Flomaton as he provided both touchdowns on the ground and contributed a handful of punishing tackles to the defensive shutout.

It served as Bayside Academy’s fourth win in a row – and second consecutive via shutout – and helped the Admirals’ average point allowance to drop to 10.0 over 5 games. Bayside Academy also improved to 2-0 within Class 3A Region 1.

Line of scrimmaged: owned

Head coach Barrett Trotter said when the other team doesn’t get on the scoreboard, it normally means an effective night. But against the deceptive, triple-option offense of the Flomaton Hurricanes, owning the line of scrimmage meant more than anything.

“We talked about all week that we have to control the line of scrimmage, and we did that. Those guys up front, they didn’t stand up tall and they didn’t get pushed back,” Trotter said after the game. “We did a great job of staying low and controlling the line and fitting their gaps and not letting anything get over their head when they did try to throw the ball.”

From Neill’s perspective at middle linebacker, the Admirals’ film study helped the unit identify what plays could be coming their way.

“We knew coming into it that they were going to run the ball a lot … we studied film and they had little tells that we knew they were going to do power or counter or throw it,” Neill said. “But it was really just us playing ball, getting off blocks and making tackles, that was the main thing.”

Touchdowns: on the ground

On the other side of the ball, Neill’s touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters proved to be the deciding factor, but Trotter said it should have been more. Not only did two more red zone trips stall out, but both ended with narrowly missed field goals.

“We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times offensively, we moved the ball all night but couldn’t sustain drives and couldn’t put it in the end zone,” Trotter said. “I hated that we didn’t get more in because we had plenty of opportunities, plenty of chances but just couldn’t capitalize.”

But Neill has relished his opportunity to tote the rock as a former lineman who has stepped into a larger role as the quarterback in Bayside Academy’s heavy formation for goal-line situations. Tonight’s pair of touchdowns pushed his season total to 7.

“I played O-Line my first year, I played D-End my second year and all I wanted to do is get some touchdowns but this year I’ve been able to,” Neill said. “Every time I get the ball down there, I just try and get as many yards as I can and get into the end zone.”

.@BillyNeill897 goes airborne for the score! The junior linebacker records his second rushing touchdown of the evening, this one from 4 yards out, and Bayside Academy leads Flomaton 14-0 with 4:51 left in regulation. Neill has been instrumental on both sides of the ball #ALHSFB pic.twitter.com/ifpSLB25wE

— Gulf Coast Media Sports (@GCMSportsAL) September 21, 2024

Turnover battle: won

The Admirals’ first touchdown of the night directly turned an interception from junior Noah Cain into points but the hosts were also able to come away with big plays on special teams. Fellow juniors Jack Wilkinson and Will Allen provided pressure on three punts and either tipped or blocked all of them.

“When you can turn the ball over and get turnovers defensively, it just made their offense feel even that much more defeated. They can’t move the ball; they can’t punt the ball,” Trotter said. “We just controlled them defensively all night long so I know that’s demoralizing, hurts teams’ morale going into the third and fourth quarter.”

Win streak: extended

That effort resulted in a fourth-straight win for Bayside Academy heading into a bye week. Trotter said the streak isn’t a mere coincidence.

“It doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because our kids are working hard and they’re preparing each week for every game like it’s the last one,” Trotter said. “We’re going to be ready to go each week and it feels great to have four in a row, but it’ll feel even better at five in a row.”

“Good, feels good. Glad we’re on the right path after the first-week loss,” Neill said.

Stat sheet

Unofficial stats for the Admirals saw Neill finish with 62 rushing yards on 10 carries with the 2 touchdowns and 1 fumble. Sophomore Caid Lyons provided 57 rushing yards on 16 carries as classmate Bo Miller finished 11-of-17 passing for 70 yards. Junior Bo Anderson and senior Miles Uter both collected 23 receiving yards and junior Monroe Partin added a 16-yard reception.

Up next

Bayside Academy improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in 3A Region 1. The Admirals’ next game on the schedule will be on the road Oct. 4 against the Hillcrest-Evergreen Jaguars who fell to 4-1 overall with a 33-28 loss to T.R. Miller tonight.

Flomaton dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the region. The Hurricanes are set to host the Jay Royals from Florida next week who will enter 5-0 overall and 3-0 in their region.

Money quotes

“We knew it was going to be a physical game, they’ve shown offensively who they are and the mentality they come to play with. But our guys showed up to play,” Trotter said. “They were physical and we controlled the line of scrimmage all game.”

“I proved it, I think we did Oklahoma drills once and I was like, ‘Give me the ball one time,’ and I ran it and they liked what they saw,” Neill said of how he got started running the ball.

Other Week 5 finals

Baker Hornets 27, Daphne Trojans 21

Fairhope Pirates 38, Robertsdale Golden Bears 14

Faith Academy Rams 35, Elberta Warriors 25

Gulf Shores Dolphins 48, Blount Leopards 14

MGM Vikings 35, Foley Lions 14

Orange Beach Makos 56, Satsuma Gators 32

Patrician Academy Saints 52, Snook Christian Eagles 7

Spanish Fort Toros 44, Murphy Panthers 6

St. Luke’s Wildcats 27, Bayshore Christian Eagles 0

St. Michael Cardinals 49, Escambia County Blue Devils 12