Kam Smith Runs for 222 Yards as Mary G. Montgomery Grinds Past Baker 20-10; Israel Benard Throws Three TDs for Mobile Christian

MOBILE, Ala. — Mary G. Montgomery found its winning formula on the ground Friday night, and it came in the form of a long, patient fourth-quarter march that took nearly eight minutes off the clock.

Kam Smith carried 35 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns, and the Vikings put together a 72-yard, 14-play scoring drive that consumed 7:46 in the fourth quarter to pull away from host Baker for a 20-10 win at Clem Richardson Field.

Mary G. Montgomery 20, Baker 10

The Vikings (3-3) leaned heavily on their running game all night, piling up 304 rushing yards and 19 first downs. Smith did the heavy lifting, scoring on runs of 12 yards and 1 yard, while kicker Adam Ezell connected on field goals of 42 and 40 yards.

Mary G. Montgomery led 7-3 after the first quarter and 10-3 at halftime. Baker (2-4) answered late in the third quarter, when quarterback Tate Graham found Jamien Pryor for a 16-yard touchdown pass that tied the game 10-10 heading into the final period. Bennett Morgan added a 28-yard field goal for the Hornets.

That set the stage for the Vikings’ decisive possession. Rather than looking for a quick strike, Mary G. Montgomery ground out a 14-play, 72-yard drive that ate up 7 minutes and 46 seconds — a stretch that both put the Vikings back in front and kept the Baker offense on the sideline for most of the fourth quarter.

Defense Pressures Graham

The Mary G. Montgomery defense made life difficult for Graham, sacking him five times. Ashton Finley was responsible for two of those sacks. Graham finished 10-of-22 passing for 98 yards and the touchdown to Pryor.

Baker’s defense created opportunities of its own, with Jordan Drinkard and Labraxton Pettway each recovering a fumble for the Hornets. But the Vikings’ rushing attack ultimately proved too much over four quarters.

By the Numbers

• Kam Smith (MGM): 35 carries, 222 yards, 2 TDs (12 and 1 yards)
• Adam Ezell (MGM): Field goals of 42 and 40 yards
• MGM rushing: 304 yards; 19 first downs
• Tate Graham (Baker): 10-of-22, 98 yards, 1 TD
• Jamien Pryor (Baker): 16-yard TD reception
• Bennett Morgan (Baker): 28-yard field goal
• Ashton Finley (MGM): 2 sacks (MGM had 5 total)
• Fumble recoveries (Baker): Jordan Drinkard, Labraxton Pettway

Scoring Summary by Quarter

• End of 1st quarter: Mary G. Montgomery 7, Baker 3
• Halftime: Mary G. Montgomery 10, Baker 3
• End of 3rd quarter: Mary G. Montgomery 10, Baker 10
• Final: Mary G. Montgomery 20, Baker 10

The win evens the Vikings’ record at 3-3, while Baker falls to 2-4.

Mobile Christian 27, Providence 13

Elsewhere Friday night, junior quarterback Israel Benard threw three touchdown passes and Ladouglas Jones returned a punt 71 yards for a score as Mobile Christian beat Providence 27-13.

The win kept the Leopards (6-1, 4-0) tied with Bayside Academy atop the private school Class A Region 1 standings.

Benard spread the ball around on his scoring throws:

• 41 yards to Damarien Gatson
• 14 yards to Ladouglas Jones
• 23 yards to Tristan Aragon

Jones had a big night in multiple phases, catching a touchdown pass in addition to his 71-yard punt return for a score. Aragon added 161 rushing yards to go with his touchdown catch, giving Mobile Christian a balanced attack.

Halftime Adjustments Pay Off

Leopards coach Charles Lawson credited his team’s defensive adjustments at halftime for the result.

“We made some adjustments,” Lawson said. “Defensively, in the second half, we made their offense more one dimensional, shutting down the QB run that hurt us in the first half.”

Taking away the Providence quarterback’s running ability allowed Mobile Christian to control the second half and protect its region record.

By the Numbers

• Israel Benard (Mobile Christian): 3 TD passes
• Tristan Aragon (Mobile Christian): 161 rushing yards; 23-yard TD reception
• Ladouglas Jones (Mobile Christian): 71-yard punt return TD; 14-yard TD reception
• Damarien Gatson (Mobile Christian): 41-yard TD reception

Region Race Heats Up

With Mobile Christian and Bayside Academy both unbeaten in private school Class A Region 1 play, the race for the region title is shaping up as a two-team contest at the top. Bayside kept pace Friday with a 35-21 win over Cottage Hill Christian Academy, setting up what could be a pivotal stretch for both programs as the regular season moves into its final weeks.

For Mary G. Montgomery, Friday’s win offered a blueprint built on ball control and physical running. For Mobile Christian, it was another step toward a region championship.