SPANISH FORT, Ala. - After racing to a 5-0 start and defeating Class 6A Daphne and Fairhope the Spanish Fort Toros took over the top spot in this week’s Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A high school football poll.

The Toros defeated Daphne 19-17 and since then have rolled off wins against BC Rain (43-0), Gulf Shores (49-7), Faith Academy (54-0) and Fairhope (38-14). Spanish Fort has averaged 46 points per game while only giving up five per game in that four-game stretch.

On Friday the Toros visit No. 8 St. Paul’s in an important region game that could determine playoff seeding. Last season the Saints beat Spanish Fort in the regular season, but the Toros beat St. Paul’s in the semifinals on the way to the 5A state title.

“We have to get better to beat St. Paul’s,” Spanish Fort head coach Mark Freeman said after his team’s win against Fairhope. “St. Paul’s vs. Spanish Fort is always a battle. They have a lot of defensive guys back from last year and they do a good job over there. We’ve got to have a good week of work to be ready for St. Paul’s.”

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston was honored in the AHSAA weekly “Spotlight” feature after completing 16-of-20 passes for 229 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown against Fairhope.

“I’m proud of the way Tyler played,” Freeman said. “He plays a hard position on this football team. He has to be with me every day. Tyler took some big steps tonight and got a lot better.”