Gulf Shores Makes History, 5A State Champions
News Staff • Dec 08, 2023
The Gulf Shores Dolphins Have A Perfect Season
On Thursday the 7th the Gulf Shores Dolphins football team took the field against defending champion, the Ramsay Rams.
Coach Mark Hudspeth said before the game that the city of Gulf Shores had shown so much support during the team's nine home games this season. He added that going without turn-overs and having a good defense was the "recipe" of success.
During his conversation with AHSAA Media, Coach Hudspeth mentioned that the Dolphins had been challenged at times but had not had a four-quarter battle and that could be a concern. Earlier in the week he spoke with Sunny 105.7 and mentioned that Gulf Shores defense would need to pressure Ramsay's quarterback and not allow him to add to the over 3,000 yards he had thrown.
Prior to the game, the AHSAA website had a quick poll allowing users to predict the winner. With 250 votes cast, 72% chose the Gulf Shores Dolphins. The game was well attended by the Gulf Shores fans.
GAME TIME:
At 7:09PM Gulf Shores kicked off to Ramsay. The rams started from their own 13 yard line. On the 2nd play from scrimmage the Rams fumbled the ball and Gulf Shores recovered on the 2 yard line
Ronnie Royal only need one run to score a touchdown and Langston's PAT made the score 7-0!
After Langston's next kickoff to the Ramsay Rams, QB Keenan of the Rams had to deal with the Gulf Shores defense. Ramsay seemed to settle in a made progress for a first down. Their receivers were unable to bring in the long pass and the Dolphin defense held, forcing a punt.
Gulf Shores began their drive from their own 26. Kolin Wilson and Ronnie Royal ran the ball during the next set of downs and moved the chains for a first down at the 48 yard line. The "two-headed monster" of Kolin and Wilson kept the team rolling with rushing plays down the field into Ramsay territory. Royal took a swing pass and ran down to the 25. Kolin Wilson then ripped a long run for a touchdown. The extra point was good and the Dolphins led 14-0.
The Rams again received the kick-off from Gulf Shores. Ramsay began to move the chains using a no-huddle offense. Gulf Shores defense kept up the pressure. Ramsay's QB, Keenan, seemed rushed during the Dolphin blitzes. After a quick "3 and out" Ramsay punted which was returned to the 36 by Royal.
Gulf Shores showed power rushing again and after just a few plays, Ronnie Royal broke free for a 55 yard run and a touchdown. The score was Gulf Shores 21 while Ramsay was 0.
Once again Ramsay was on the receiving end of the kickoff. This time they returned the ball past the midfield line. Langston was able to save the play from being a Ram touchdown.
With 1:45 left in the first quarter, Ramsay was able to get a couple of quick runs for a 1st down. The quarter ended with the score 21-0.
Ramsay had the ball with a 3rd and 2 to start the 2nd quarter. They moved the ball to the Gulf Shores 18 yard line. Ramsay stayed with the no-huddle and ran the ball to 1st and goal. Ashford of the Rams was able to get the yardage. Landon Everett put big pressure on the Rams. On 4th and goal, Ramsay's Stinson caught a pass for a touchdown. The score was 21-6 after the missed extra point.
Gulf Shores received the kickoff on the 20. The offensive line kept a strong push for the running game. Gulf Shores Blaize Thomas caught pass for Jud Harris and moved the chains. Ramsay's defense became tough during the next set of downs and Gulf Shores was forced to punt for the first time in the game.
Ramsay took over the ball on their own 23 yard line. With 4:57 left in the half the Rams started rushing the ball. Ashford made a first down. The Ramsay Rams play "hurry-up" offense and rushed the ball to the Gulf Shores side of the field. Otto Brewer stood tall and got in the Ram's backfield. JaMichael Garrett had the next stop. Then Gulf Shores, Blaize Thomas intercepted a pass in the endzone, ending the Ramsay drive.
With 1:38 left in the half, the dolphins took over and began then power rushes again. Ronnie Royal made a gain almost to midfield. After a timeout, Ramsay held the Dolphins for two plays but then Gulf Shores broke out for another first down. With nine seconds on the clock in the first half, Gulf Shores Jud Harris was sacked and the half was over. The score was still 21-6.
2ND HALF:
Gulf Shores received the ball to start the second half. Beginning at the 35, made rushing progress but Ronnie Royal received a pass into Ramsay Territory. Then Gulf Shores fumbled the ball and the Rams took over on their own 36.
Ramsay has another 3 and out, and had to punt to the Dolphins.
Receiving the ball on their 37, Gulf Shores quarterback, Harris, called his own number. The Kolin Wilson ran for a first down near midfield. Ronnie Royal ran the ball into Ramsay side of the field at the 45. The ball was fumbled again and Ramsay Rams had the ball at midfield. A penalty by Gulf Shores moved the ball down to the Gulf Shores 36 yard line.
Gulf Shores own Blaize Thomas sacked the Ramsay QB for a ten yard loss. On 3rd and fourteen the Rams muffed a pass and had to punt. Gulf Shores gets the ball back near the 1 yard line.
With 99 yards to go down the field, the Dolphins struggled to run the ball away from their goal line. Then attempting a pass by Jud Harris, the passes were incomplete. With a short field the Dolphins had to punt from their own endzone. Kicking a 38 yard punt and making a quick stop of Ramsay.
With 3:40 left to go in the 3rd quarter, the Rams went to work. Ashford made a big run for the Rams and got a 1st down at the 26. Braden Jackson was able to stop the Rams on the next down. Then Ronnie Royal made a one-handed interception! Gulf Shores had the ball on their own 4 yard line.
Gulf Shores Dolphins held on two short runs. On 3rd down Royal was hit hard by Reese from the Rams. Gulf Shores tried to punt but a Ramsay player got a hand on the ball and the punt only went 13 yards from the endzone.
Ramsay Rams rushed downed to the two. First and goal. The 3rd quarter ended.
At the start of the fourth, the Rams had the ball first and goal. On 3rd down the Rams scored a touchdown with RB Ashford. They faked a PAT for a two-point conversion making the score was 21-14. Gulf Shores maintained the lead.
The Dolphins received the kickoff at their own 35. A bad snap caused a fumble and Ramsay recovered on the Gulf shores 6 yard line.
After a delay of game Ramsay's offense began on the 10 yard line and rushed to the 7. Gulf Shores defense held the Rams for a play. Then Landon Everett blitzed and sacked the Ram's quarterback. On 4th down Ramsay was stopped by Jamichael Garret for no gain, getting the ball back.
Ronnie Royal then rushed the ball for 13 yards. Next Royal ran for another 1st down. The Dolphins kept the push up the field. With the ball at the 48, Gulf Shores had another 1st down by Royal from the wildcat formation. Royal then broke a nice run down to the 25. Not to be stopped Ronnie Royal again got the ball and rushed into the endzone for a touchdown. However, the play was reviewed and the ball was placed on the 1 yard line. Jud Harris was stopped behind the line. Next Royal was stopped on 3rd and goal Harris had an incomplete pass. Gulf Shores attempted a field goal but Langston missed the kick to the right. The score remained 21-14 with Gulf Shores in the lead.
The Ramsay Rams took over on their own 20. Ramsay's quarterback threw for one reception and then Ramsay ran to a first down. Just over two and a half minutes left in the game.
After a penalty, Ramsay was 2nd and 15. They missed their next pass and it was third and 15 for Ramsay Rams. After another incomplete pass it was 4th down and long for the Rams. They got a delay of game penalty making it even longer. Ramsay missed the next pass and Landon Everett of Gulf Shores was in their backfield.
Gulf Shores ran out the clock using a few rushing plays. FINAL SCORE 21-14
GULF SHORES IS THE ALABAMA 5A STATE CHAMPIONS!
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