**Click PLAY on the video below to hear the Bulldog Radio Network's pregame interview with Coach Terry Curtis**

R1 #4 UMS-WRIGHT (6-6) vs R1 #1 Vigor (11-1)

7:00 PM – Vigor Stadium

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Radio: Bulldog Radio Network (99.5 FM locally / iHeartRadio streaming globally) - coverage begins at 6:40 PM

Streaming: NFHS Network (subscription required)

BY THE NUMBERS:

All Time Series: This is the first time UMS-Wright and Vigor have met in the playoffs in the current format.  This is the 16th game in the series between the Wolves and the Bulldogs, with Vigor leading 8-7.  The Wolves won the regular season Region 1 game 30-14.  UMS beat Vigor 6-0 in 1951 in the first game between the schools, and went on to win the next three games from 1952-1954.  Vigor won the next 6 games in the series. The teams did not play between 1961-2005.

Last 5 Games:

9/13/2024 Vigor 30 - UMS-W 14

9/22/2023 Vigor 31 - UMS-W 9 (Vigor forfeited)

9/16/2022 UMS-W10 - Vigor 7

9/7/2007 Vigor 12 - UMS-W 7

9/8/2006 UMS-W 38 - Vigor 14

Region 1 Scores from 11/15

UMS-WRIGHT 7 - Andalusia 6

VIGOR 41 - Eufaula 0

Central Clay County 31 - WILLIAMSON 6

Catholic Montgomery 46 - CITRONELLE 0

Preview

Only two Region 1 teams remain in the 5A playoff picture, UMS-Wright and Vigor.  Vigor has steamrolled their way to the quarterfinals with a 46-0 win in the first round vs Sipsey Valley and a 41-0 victory at Eufaula last week in the 2nd round.  The Wolves are 11-4 in 3rd Round games in the modern playoff format, last defeating American Christian 26-10 on their way to the 2021 State Title.  

UMS-Wright is playing in the quarterfinals for the 6th time in the last 10 years, and Coach Curtis is 13-9 in 3rd round games.  This is the first quarterfinal appearance for the Bulldogs since 2021 (20-14 loss at Andalusia).  UMS-Wright is 15-11 all time in 3rd round games.

Offense

The Bulldogs pounded out 217 yards of offense last week in a defensive battle against Andalusia.  Max Fowler completed 8 passes for 93 yards and a Touchdown to Bo Wills, as 5 different players recorded a catch. Perry Hand rushed for 70 yards and Wills had 40 yards as UMS-Wright finished the game with 124 rushing yards. 

The Vigor defense is among the best in the state in any class, allowing only 4.3 points per game with 6 shutouts in 12 games.  They have not allowed a point in their two playoff games.

Bo Wills leads the team in rushing with 772 yards and 6 TDs, while Denton Elliott is the leading receiver with 40 catches for 354 yards and 5 TDs.  Max Fowler has passed for 995 yards with 7 TDs.  

Defense

UMS-Wright stifled Andalusia's offense last week, allowing a paltry 113 yards on only 39 plays.  Sam Davis, Andrew Cook and Mac McGinley combined for 4 sacks last week, and David Lott snagged is 4th interception of the season.

The Vigor offense has been explosive all season, averaging 37 points per game.  In the playoffs, that average is 43.5 points.  

Caplyn Reed Jeff Holston lead the Bulldogs in tackles with 126 apiece, while Charlie Jeffery and David Lott lead the team in takeaways with 4 interceptions each.  Mac McGinley is the sack leader with 9 on the season, and Holston has the most tackles for loss at 12.  

Special Teams

Kingston Phan has connected on 4 of his 7 field goals this season, and has made 22 of 23 extra point attempts. Denton Elliott is averaging 36 yards per punt and has placed 9 punts inside the 20 yard line. Elliott also leads the Bulldogs in returning kickoffs, with 416 return yards on 16 returns, including a touchdown.  

(Special thanks to the website www.ahsfhs.org for their work in the historical preservation of high school athletics in Alabama.  Many of these numbers were pulled from their site).