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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's Joshua Woods (11) jumps for a touchdown during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville safety Christon Black (16) tackles the Ramsay running back during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
The Ramsay defenders have a difficult time tackling the Clay-Chalkville running back during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
A Clay-Chalkville wide receiver reading the Ramsay cornerback to adjust his route during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville kicker Aaron Robinson (29) on the sideline after a successful extra point during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville, players, reviewing game footage on the sideline during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville cheerleaders on the sideline during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville Head coach Stuart Floyd runs over to the fence in front of the band challenging them to turn it up" play the freaking music" during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) drags the Ramsay defender on the way to the end zone during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman Colton McIntyre (96) makes himself as wide as possible to close the gap on the Ramsay ball carrier during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's defense came to play as the defenders kept the Ramsay quarterback under continued pressure during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's Joshua Woods (11) find an open gap in the Ramsay defense for positive yardage during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's Joshua Woods (11) runs the ball down a middle gap diving for positive yardage during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Marlon Compton (1) catches the Ramsay punt during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's Joshua Woods (11) fights to escape the multiple Ramsay defenders during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's Joshua Woods (11) is able to escape the Ramsay defenders tackle to get a first down during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville band members cheering on the team during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
A fight breaks out between Clay-Chalkville, and Ramsay players late in the second quarter during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye (14) looks downfield to find an open wide receiver during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's defense takes advantage of group tackling, keeping Ramsay's running game down to a minimum during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville lineman Jayden Jones (57) and tight end Jabari Staples (2) lead the way, opening a gap for the running back during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye (14) takes a step up in the pocket, buying himself time to get a pass off during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville players run onto the field during the pregame celebrations before a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville Head coach Stuart Floyd uses an officials' time out to remind his players to stick to the game plan after a fight between Clay-Chalkville and Ramsay players during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug, 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Isaiah Brown (15) on the sideline during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville coach Josh Cheek shows off some "BIG CLAY" ice during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
The Clay-Chalkville ball carrier is easily able to get into the end zone for a touchdown during a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville team captains linebacker NaKarius Allen (13), lineman Antonio Powell (79), safety Christon Black (16) and running back Tayler Smith (4) during the coin flip before a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville team captains linebacker NaKarius Allen (13), lineman Antonio Powell (79), safety Christon Black (16) and running back Tayler Smith (4) during the coin flip before a game against Ramsay High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
BIRMINGHAM – Country music artist Luke Combs sings a hit song that encapsulated much of Thursday night at Legion Field.
It’s called “When It Rains It Pours,” and for a solid hour, it rained, thundered, and blew tents into the turf. But when the game finally kicked off a half hour late, Clay-Chalkville High School poured it on Ramsay en route to a 62-7 win.
Midway through the second quarter, after a Joshua Woods 3-yard touchdown run gave the Cougars a 28-7 lead, Ramsay took over at its own 25-yard line, not far from the Clay-Chalkville band, which was not playing. First-year Clay-Chalkville head coach Stuart Floyd ran to the fence and pleaded for them to play their instruments loudly with Ramsay’s offense not far away.
Seconds later, Deon Callins intercepted Ramsay quarterback Kam Keenan, and one snap later Cougars quarterback Aaron Frye hit Jabari Staples in stride for a 33-yard touchdown. Perhaps Floyd could also be a band leader?
“I just wanted them to play and create a little crowd noise for us,” Floyd said. “It’s all we need.”
Clay-Chalkville scored touchdowns on its first nine possessions. In the first half, running back Aaron Osley scored on touchdown runs of 11 and 4 yards. He also caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Frye for the Cougars’ first points. Woods ran for two first-half scores as well, from 3 and 7 yards. The other first-half touchdown was the 33-yard pass from Frye to Staples.
“I feel really good,” Frye said. “I trust my receivers with all my heart. They make it easy on me.”
Staples caught a 52-yard touchdown from Frye on the second play of the third quarter, and Frye connected with Marlon Compton for a 5-yard touchdown on the ensuing Cougars’ possession. Woods sprang free for a 55-yard touchdown late in the third quarter for Clay-Chalkville’s final score.
The Cougars (2-0) created four turnovers, three coming on interceptions by Keylon Stewart, Callins, and Josh Ivy. NaKarius Allen recovered a fumble. Ramsay’s lone score came in the first quarter when Keenan found Shiye Rice for a 42-yard score.
Frye finished 16-of-21 for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
“He was terrific,” Floyd said. “He played really well, took care of the ball, had a lot of big third-down conversions for us, and I’ve been telling people he’s going to be the next one. It’s my job to put him in those good situations.”
Woods finished with 16 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Osley rushed for 75 yards on 15 carries. Staples led the receivers with four grabs for 107 yards and two scores. Compton hauled in six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
For Ramsay, Keenan finished 15-of-34 for 220 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Rice caught seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Martin led the Rams’ ground game with 90 yards on 12 carries.
Clay-Chalkville begins Class 6A, Region 6 play at Pell City next week.
“Beating Hueytown and Ramsay are good, but ultimately those games don’t matter,” Floyd said. “Pell City is the one that’s been circle on the calendar for a while. We want to win the region. That’s one of our goals. That’s one we’re looking forward to.”
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