By Bobby Mathews, sports editor
MOODY — The Moody High School Blue Devils are 2-0 to start the 2021 season, and junior quarterback A.J. Wallace is a huge reason why.
Moody High School junior quarterback A.J. Wallace. (Photo by Jason McCrory)
The Blue Devils haven’t opened a season with a 2-0 record since 2015, and they haven’t had a two-game win streak since beating John Carroll and Woodlawn back-to-back in 2017. Against John Carroll on Friday, August 27, 2021, Wallace went 16-for-22 with four passing touchdowns and ran for 120 yards on 13 carries.
“AJ, being a coach’s kid, he’s been around the game since he was a kid,” said Blue Devils head coach Adam Wallace, who is also A.J.’s father. “He really understands what we’re doing on offense, because he’s been so immersed in it. He’s really good at extending plays, like he did this past week when a play would break down, and then he runs and gets 10, 20, 30 yards or makes a throw on the run to extend drives when we need him to.”
That’s why Wallace is this week’s Tribune Player of the Week.
Overall this season Wallace has gone 24-for-33 for 414 yards with seven passes going for touchdowns. He’s also run for 204 yards total in two games this season. Using weapons like Davion Dozier, Kolby Seymour and Nick Burrell, Wallace and the Blue Devils look nothing like the 2020 team that took the field.
Moody plays six games on the road this season, and this Friday night they face Hayden High School in their home opener. Hayden has lost its first two games of the season.
Other finalists for The Tribune Player of the Week include Hewitt-Trussville defensive back/running back Connor Thomas, who rushed for 50 yards on five carries for two touchdowns and an interception against Saraland, and Huskies wideout Omari Kelly, who had 145 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
The Tribune’s Player of the Week is sponsored by OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports.
