Raise your hand if you thought Clay-Chalkville would score just six points in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. Now keep it raised if you predicted that Parker High would bounce the defending state champions from the playoffs.

In one of the more shocking scores of Friday night, at least for those not wearing Parker High uniforms, was the Thundering Herd advancing with a 7-6 win over Clay-Chalkville.

Obviously, defense ruled the night as the winning score came on a 55-yard pass from Malik Muhammad to Carl Pitts in the third quarter.

Parker advances to play host to Muscle Shoals in the second round. Muscle Shoals moved on with a 58-7 win over Hazel Green.

*UMS-Wright coach Terry Curtis is the all-time AHSAA leader in coaching wins, and his team is moving on to the second round. Both things happened because the top-ranked Bulldogs beat visiting Headland, 56-13.

Curtis now has 347 career victories, which is one more than former Vestavia Hills legend Buddy Anderson. The Bulldogs play host to Beauregard in the second round. Beauregard beat Marbury, 35-10, in the first round.

*St. Pauls used two touchdown runs by UAB commit Christopher Bracy and a bunch of stout defense to upset Carver-Montgomery, 13-0, in a Class 6A game at the Cramton Bowl. Carver-Montgomery had some key skill players out because of suspension and never got anything going offensively.

It was the first loss to an in-state school for Carver this season and the fourth consecutive playoff trip for the Wolverines to end in the first round. St. Pauls is making its 13th successive playoff appearance and 12 of those have extended past the first round. The Saints have been state champions four times since 2010.

*Mobile Christian had to fight its way into the playoffs after forfeiting four games because of an eligibility issue with a player. The Leopards are still fighting after whipping previously unbeaten Houston Academy, 30-3, in the first round.

Officially, Mobile Christian improved to 4-7. On the field, not counting forfeits, the Leopards are 8-3. Houston Academy came into the game outscoring its opponents, 402-83. The Raiders got little going against Mobile Christian.

Mobile Christian advances to play host to Trinity, which advanced with a 37-0 win over Saks.

*Homewood won the second half to advance with a 35-30 Class 6A win over McAdory. The teams were tied at halftime, but quarterback Woods Ray directed a pair of second-half touchdown drives.

The Patriots are making their 11th consecutive playoff appearance and have won first-round games in eight of those trips. The only time they advanced past the second round in that stretch was 2018. Homewood will play host to Pike Road in the second round.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.

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