By Robert Carter
The North Jefferson News
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As the touchdown catches for Ja’Micheal Willis piled up during Gardendale’s 51-26 rout of Bessemer City last Friday, the Rockets’ stats crew wondered if his six scores was a new school record for a single game.
The answer is yes — and don’t bother dusting off the record books.
Willis not only set a school record, he tied the Alabama High School Athletic Association state mark, held by two others: David Morrison of Berry High in Fayette County, set last year; and Brandon Greer of Westbrook Christian, in 1998.
That effort won Willis not one, but two statewide awards. He was named the Offensive Player of the Week by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, the group which selects the weekly state football polls.
In addition, Willis was chosen as the Spotlight Player of Week 2 by the AHSAA.
Willis is also scheduled to be featured by the web site MaxPreps.com, according to Gardendale Director of Football Operations De Allen. MaxPreps covers high school sports nationally, and is a subsidiary of CBS Sports.
Gardendale players now hold four spots on the AHSAA individual records web page. Two others marks were set by Zac White during his banner season in 1999, for pass completions and passing yards. Both of White’s numbers are well off the records, but still listed among he state’s all-time best.
The other record is one that will stand forever: Charles Stanley and his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Bibb County in 1999. Five others share that record.
For the record, quarterback Dallas Tidwell’s six touchdown passes on Friday was well short of the state record.
Brent Gulledge of Victory Christian in Pell City holds that mark, with nine touchdown passes in a 70-6 rout of Lyman Ward Military Academy in 2004. And Jeremy Robinson of Highland Home had eight against R.C. Hatch in 2001.
