SPANISH FORT, Alabama – The Spanish Fort Toros continued to defy preseason expectations with a 31-16 win over Valley in the second round of 5A playoffs Friday night. Quarterback Joel Poe connected for touchdowns with wide receiver Deon Johnson once in each half; the first for 62 yards with 1:20 before halftime and the second for 72 yards on the first play of the third quarter.

A promising defensive battle in the first quarter yielded no points, and the game’s first score came on a 31-yard Alexander Theodore field goal three minutes into the second quarter.

On the first play of Valley’s next possession, Spanish Fort sophomore Ronald Smith tipped Valley quarterback Josh Meigs’ pass, leaving the ball hanging long enough for senior Demarco Montgomery to get underneath it. The Toros recovered the interception on Valley’s 47 yard-line, and with running back Otis Smith driving to the 15, finished the drive on the fourth play with a touchdown pass to Devonte Patrick on a cross route. Down 17-0 at halftime, Valley never recovered.

Poe hit Johnson for the 72-yard touchdown screen pass coming out of the locker room and the Toros defense complemented the effort by holding Valley to two consecutive three-and-outs. Defensive back Jonathan Cook then blocked a Valley punt on a fourth-and-six halfway through the third quarter, which set up a Toros first-and-goal on the 9. Poe handed off to junior Ed Autry on the next play for touchdown run.

Valley’s only points came from a 40-yard Courtney Cammon fumble return and two-point conversion 5:25 into the fourth quarter, and a 7-yard run by Broderick Jones on Valley’s last possession.

Now, first year Head Coach Mark Freeman is looking to repeat the 5a championship.

“The last two weeks have been about as good as we can play,” Freeman said. “We are starting to find who we are on offense. I’m proud of our kids and they come to practice with that look in their eye like they know something special can happen,” he said. “Anything is possible.”

On the other side of the field, Fairhope native and Valley Head Coach Mike Dean thanked his seniors for their 9-3 season and said he was building the foundation for a good team in the years to come.

“Give all the credit to Spanish Fort and Coach Freeman tonight,” Dean said. They came out ready to play and whipped us. We didn’t play well, but they had a good plan. There is a reason Spanish Fort is the state champs, but we are building up.”

Spanish Fort travels to Prichard to face Vigor next Friday. The Wolves beat the Toros 7-0 in week eight, but Freeman is looking forward to a rematch in the quarterfinals.

 “This program has tradition and I know Vigor’s program has tradition and the winner of that game will be a strong contender for the championship,” he said. “It will be about who can jump out there early and take momentum.”

After the game, Freeman gave the Toros five minutes to celebrate and told them to take home their uniforms and wash them before practice Saturday.