Football Fridays: Bryant vs. Demopolis

I shot my first great game of the football season Friday night. It was the game of the week so the assignment was to stay to the end if things were close. Things were really close. The game was tied up until the last few minutes of the 4th when the Bryant Stampede kicker nailed a difficult 42-yarder to take his team up 17-14 with only 3 or 4 minutes to go. The Bryant sideline exploded with celebration and the young kicker was lifted by several teammates. He was so happy he forgot to get back on the field for kickoff. The Stampede's joy was cut short as the Demopolis Tigers quickly got down the field and stud running back DaMarcus James powered in a 1-yard touchdown. With 2 minutes still on the clock the Stampede forged a drive to try to win. One Tiger recovered fumble later the game was over. The emotion after was almost as intense as a championship. The Tigers were hugging and crying tears of joy as the Stampede walked heads hung with another type of tears streaming their already sweat streaked cheeks.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- The Paul W. Bryant Stampede takes the field before their game against the Demopolis Tigers Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis cheerleader Maggie Spiller, 17, is tossed in the air. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- The Paul W. Bryant Stampede Marching Band Danceline perform before the Demopolis Tigers' 21-17 victory Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis quarterback Ben Pettus (3) dives past Bryant's Josh Martin (25) for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Tiger's 21-17 victory Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Paul W. Bryant's Brock Hall runs through a tackle by Demopolis's Tremaine Irby in the second half. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Paul W. Bryant coach Bobby Moore talks with his players during their game against the Demopolis Tigers' Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.




10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Paul W. Bryant's Ben Martin (32) returns a punt in the first half. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Bryant celebrate Brock Hall's touchdown in the first half. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis quarterback Ben Pettus (3)releases a pass in the second half. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis' Damarcus James (4) is brought down by Paul W. Bryant's Alex Thomas (31) in the second half of the Tiger's 21-17 victory Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis' Jerry Campbell (6) screams in celebration as he scores a touchdown in the 3rd quarter of the Tiger's 21-17 victory over the Paul W. Bryant Stampede Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Paul W. Bryant quarterback Brock Hall (13) looks for an open receiver in the first quarter. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Paul W. Bryant quarterback Brock Hall (13) is stopped by a swarm of Demopolis defenders in the 4th quarter of the Demopolis Tiger's 21-17 victory Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis quarterback Ben Pettus (3) is brought down by several Paul W. Bryant defenders in the second half. The Demopolis Tigers beat the Paul W. Bryant Stampede 21-17 Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis quarterback Ben Pettus (3) taps teamate Damarcus James (4) on the helmet after James game winning 1-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter of the Tiger's 21-17 victory Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Dempolis's Tremaine Irby (10) and David France (13) embrace after their 21-17 victory over Paul W. Bryant Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis' Deonte Washington (25) and Matt Barger (20) celebrate their 21-17 victory over Paul W. Bryant Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.


10-01-10 -- Cottondale, Ala. -- Demopolis quarterback Ben Pettus (3) hugs teammate Tremaine Irby (10) after the Tiger's 21-17 victory over the Paul W. Bryant Stampede Friday Oct. 1, 2010 at Paul W. Bryant High School.