Orange Beach’s Chris Pearson blocked a field goal and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown to help the Makos emphatically earn their first win in Class 4A Region 1 over Jackson 31-14.

It also marked the school’s first victory over a ranked opponent where the Aggies entered the meeting ranked No. 7 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

They were among four local teams that have remained unbeaten through the first three weeks of the season. Fairhope, Bayside Academy and Gulf Shores have all won their first three games where the latter two also earned region-opening wins Friday.

Three more squads, Spanish Fort, Foley and Daphne, climbed to 2-1 overall with wins that opened region play for the latter two.

DuBose grabs first home win

Pearson also ran for a pair of touchdowns to help Orange Beach win its first home game of the season in Jamey DuBose’s regular-season debut at the Sportsplex. The new Mako head coach won his 139th overall game and his team dumped a cooler of water on him as the time bled out.

Cash Turner sealed the victory with a third-down touchdown throw that made it a two-possession game in the final frame of regulation.

Next: Orange Beach travels to face Satsuma

Foley 43, MGM 42 (OT)

Lion receivers Perry Thompson and Harrison Knight came through in overtime after they were on the receiving ends of passes from Reece Tynes to score the winning touchdown and two-point conversion in the extra period.

Tynes finished with 26 completions for 334 yards and six touchdowns. Thompson caught three touchdowns from 12, 74 and 5 yards away, Knight hauled in two scores on top of the winning catch and Makai Mitchell sliced through the defense for a 31-yard touchdown.

Next: Foley will travel to face Baker

Fairhope 43, Choctawhatchee (FL) 39

In another thriller, the Pirates once again secured victory in the final moments to remain undefeated.

The shootout started with a 21-21 tie in the first quarter but Qualin McCants crossed the goal line on a short-yardage touchdown after a 53-yard hookup from Caden Creel to Ben Moseley to put Fairhope ahead 43-39 with 6:04 left to play.

In the final 1:35, Choctawhatchee stole an interception and was driving only for the Pirates to come up with their third and most important fourth-down stop of the final frame to preserve the win.

Creel finished with 324 passing yards and two touchdowns – with much of the damage going to Moseley: 205 yards on 13 connections – as well as 114 rushing yards and a score.

It was Fairhope’s second non-region win over a Floridian opponent in as many weeks and brought the program’s all-time record against teams from Florida to 14-12.

Next: Pirates will travel to face MGM

Daphne 25, Alma-Bryant 0

The Trojans staked claim to their first win of 2022 with a shutout victory over the Alma-Bryant Hurricanes for Daphne’s seventh win in the all-time series.

Nick Clark shouldered the load on the ground and ran for 165 yards on 18 carries with three rushing touchdowns to help the Trojans start 1-0 in Region 1 for the third consecutive season.

Next: Daphne hosts Davidson

Gulf Shores 22, Faith Academy 12

The Dolphins are off to the program’s first 3-0 start according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society.

They get ready for a marquee matchup on the road against the top-ranked UMS-Wright Bulldogs and a recent South Alabama commit in running back Cole Blaylock who has already racked up 555 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns in three games.

Spanish Fort 42, Baldwin County 7

Spanish Fort senior and UAB commit Jacob Godfrey ran for two scores and caught another to help the Toros move to 2-0 in Region 1 with their 11th straight win over Baldwin County in as many meetings.

Spanish Fort has won multiple games to start region play every year since 2012.

Next: Toros will travel to face Saraland; Tigers will travel to face Theodore Thursday

Blount 42, Robertsdale 24

Next: Golden Bears will travel to face McGill-Toolen

Williamson 20, Elberta 0

Next: Warriors will host LeFlore

South Choctaw Academy 47, Snook Christian Academy 16

Next: Eagles will host Clarke Prep Thursday