Despite losing their two leading scorers for the rest of the season, Hillcrest's goal of getting back to the state championship and winning it all hasn't changed.
The Hillcrest Patriots (4-0, 2-0) made school history by defeating the Hueytown Golden Gophers (1-3, 1-1) for the first time since 2013 and seizing control of 6A Region 4. Both teams were led by superstar quarterbacks, Ethan Crawford and Earl Woods, but it was Crawford and the Patriots who emerged victorious in a 54-44 shootout.
The Armwood Hawks (0-1) took a 9-hour bus ride to Tuscaloosa, Al., to take on the Hillcrest Patriots (2-0) in a high profile week two matchup. The Patriots sent the Hawks home to Florida with a 35-25 loss behind the effort of star quarterback Ethan Crawford's five rushing touchdowns.
On a night where Hillcrest payed tribute to a classmate who passed, Cameron Prince, its offense came out looking like a different group in the second half to secure a win in honor of their friend and bid to the AHSAA Semi-Finals.
The Hillcrest Patriots (11-2) will be moving on the the AHSAA Class 6A semifinals after defeating the Saraland Spartans (10-3) at home 24-16. The Patriots scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to get back to the 6A semifinals for the first time since 2017.