Spanish Fort, Daphne football rivalry highlights Baldwin County’s non-region games in Week 6

Foley hitting the road to face top-ranked Saraland, St. Michael hosting McGill-Toolen for Catholic Clash

BY COLE McNANNA
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/27/23

The 12th renewal of an Eastern Shore rivalry highlights action for Baldwin County’s football teams in Week 6 where all the games will feature non-region opponents.

The Spanish Fort Toros …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Spanish Fort, Daphne football rivalry highlights Baldwin County’s non-region games in Week 6

Foley hitting the road to face top-ranked Saraland, St. Michael hosting McGill-Toolen for Catholic Clash

Posted

The 12th renewal of an Eastern Shore rivalry highlights action for Baldwin County's football teams in Week 6 where all the games will feature non-region opponents.

The Spanish Fort Toros hold a 9-2 lead in their all-time series against the Daphne Trojans where one win came via forfeit, but this year's battle has potential to be another thriller akin to last year's 18-15 comeback win for Spanish Fort. Both teams will enter this season's contest with 3-2 overall records.

Daphne junior quarterback Jamar Malone has ignited the offense in his three starts where he's thrown for nearly 800 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior running back Nick Clark has complemented Malone's throwing efforts with 521 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns through five games.

The Toro defense will likely be without Alabama commit Sterling Dixon, who reportedly suffered a torn labrum in last week's 8-3 upset of Theodore. Spanish Fort will still be led by Louisville commit Cole McConathy, who overtook the top spot in MaxPreps' Alabama sack rankings with 9.5 in five games.

For immediate updates from the sidelines, follow @GCMSportsAL on social media and for full coverage of Baldwin County's football teams, visit gulfcoastmedia.com/sports.

Foley Lions at No. 1 Saraland Spartans: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Foley started 2-2, Saraland opened 5-0. Last year: Spartans won 49-21 in teams’ first meeting.

A couple of high-powered offenses will clash in Mobile as the top-ranked Saraland Spartans host the Foley Lions. Foley is coming off a bye week and Saraland is coming off a single-game scoring record with a 66-0 win over Robertsdale.

Senior running back Kolton Nero has been a key cog in the Lions’ machine where his 987 rushing yards sit third in MaxPreps’ state rankings behind only a pair of athletes who have played an extra game. With 12 touchdowns, Nero enters Week 6 with averages of 10.73 yards per carry and 246.8 yards per game.

Nero also recently received an offer from the UAB Blazers then spent part of his open week visiting the Florida Gators.

The Spartans are led by their quarterback-receiver duo of Texas commit KJ Lacey and Alabama commit Ryan Williams. Lacey has thrown for 961 yards and 13 touchdowns in five games where nearly half (413 yards and 6 touchdowns) have gone to Williams.

McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets at St. Michael Cardinals: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: St. Michael enters 3-2, McGill-Toolen enters 2-2. Last year: Yellow Jackets won 27-7 in teams’ first meeting.

Both Catholic squads will enter as winners of their last two in a row where each registered a large margin of victory. St. Michael took down Escambia County 41-26 and Satsuma 42-8 where McGill-Toolen put up consecutive shutouts over Robertsdale (59-0) and Murphy (42-0).

Gunner Rivers has burst onto the scene as the Cardinals’ freshman quarterback and sat in second place on the state leaderboards with 1,482 passing yards in five games, only 76 yards behind Jackson Academy’s Huntley Dees who has played six games. Rivers has registered a .659 completion percentage and 15 touchdowns for an average of 296.4 yards per game.

OTHER WEEK 6 MATCHUPS

No. 2 Gulf Shores Dolphins at Murphy Panthers: Thursday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Gulf Shores enters 5-0, Murphy enters 0-5. Last year: Dolphins won 35-14 in teams’ first meeting.

Alma-Bryant Hurricanes at Robertsdale Golden Bears: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Robertsdale started 0-4, Alma-Bryant opened 1-3. Last year: Hurricanes won 41-20. All-time series: Alma-Bryant leads 6-1.

No. 4 MGM Vikings at Baldwin County Tigers: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Baldwin County opened 1-3, MGM started 5-0. Last year: Vikings won 35-7. All-time series: Tigers lead 17-12.

Northview Chiefs at Elberta Warriors: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Both teams enter 1-3. Last year: Northview won 49-24 in teams’ first meeting.

No. 2 Mobile Christian Leopards at Orange Beach Makos: Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Team records entering play: Orange Beach started 0-4, Mobile Christian opened 5-0. Friday’s game will serve as the first meeting between the Makos and Leopards.