By Will Heath, for The Tribune
PELL CITY — Defenses didn’t surrender much Friday night for either side when Leeds traveled to face Pell City.
The big plays, however, went to the visitors.
The Green Wave scored twice on plays of over 40 yards late in the second quarter, more than enough to support a stalwart defense in a 17-0 victory.
“We’re not any good yet,” Leeds head coach Jerry Hood said. “We’ve still got a long way to go. These kids love each other, and they’re trying to be better every day.”
Hood’s squad took the game over right before halftime. Facing 3rd and 13 at the Panther 48, junior quarterback Jarod Latta rolled right and found senior Damorion Felder well behind the nearest defender for the game’s first touchdown.
On the very next possession, Leeds faced fourth down at the Panther 48-yard line, with 26 seconds left in the half. Junior CJ Douglas, lined up behind center, took the snap on a fake punt and turned that into a 48-yard touchdown.
It turned out to be more than enough for a defense that sacked Pell City’s Baylor Smith four times, forced a turnover and allowed the Panthers to cross midfield only twice.
“I think the effort was tremendous,” Leeds defensive end Kavion Henderson said afterward. “It was great.”
Latta paced the offense, completing 9 of 14 passes for 144 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Tailback Rametrius Yelverton added 93 yards on 21 carries. The Green Wave (2-0) rolled up 350 yards of offense for the game.
“We put enough points on the board to win the game, and that’s what you’re supposed to do,” Hood said.
The Panthers (0-1) were equally undone on special teams, where mistakes cost them points. Pell City’s first punt attempt resulted in a botched snap, giving Leeds possession at the Pell City 15-yard line. Three plays later, Jackson Arthur drilled a 23-yard field goal to give the Green Wave an early 3-0 advantage.
To begin the second half, Pell City’s Carlos Herring appeared to strike for the Panthers with a 99-yard return of the opening kickoff. That return came back for an illegal block, and Leeds’ Mekhi Jones intercepted Smith two plays later to snuff out the possession.
“We can’t have those kinds of breakdowns,” Pell City head coach Wayne Lee said. “We get a punt fake for a touchdown, and then we break a long touchdown on a kickoff return and get it called back, that’s 14 points right there that we can’t give up.”
Both teams now turn their focus to region play. Pell City will host Southside-Gadsden, while Leeds will travel to face Lincoln.
“They’re (Lincoln) much better, based on what I’ve seen,” Hood said. “They’ve simplified what they do offensively, which has made them a lot better. I think it’s gonna be a formidable challenge, especially at Lincoln.”