By: Jeff Devine
Ariton struck first in the opening quarter with a touchdown to take a 7–0 lead. In the second quarter, the Purple Cats added 13 points while holding Long to a single score, giving Ariton a 20–6 advantage at halftime. The third quarter saw both teams move the ball, with Ariton putting up nine points and Long answering with a touchdown to make it 29–13. At the end of the third quarter, Addison Senn’s 61 yard punt pinned the rebels inside their 5-yard line and the next play Gabe Jones and Barrett Sullivan combined for a safety.
The Purple Cats sealed the game in the fourth quarter, adding another touchdown to cap the 36–13 victory.
Ariton piled up 329 total yards of offense, including 156 yards rushing and 173 passing, while scoring in every quarter.
Top Rushing: Running back Wells Ganey was a major standout player in the ground game, carrying 14 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Jackarie Hammock chipped in 53 yards and 11 carries while Addison Senn completed 10 carries with 29 yards and adding two TDs.
ARITON’s top 3 Receiving: Easton Kilpatrick, who managed 2 catches and 48 yards. Ganey managed 2 catches with 40 yards, while Hayes Hammock managed 1 catch and 39 yards.
In passing, Addison Senn topped the list with 11 passes out of 18 attempts and 173 yards.
Ariton’s defense came up with several momentum-shifting plays. Gabe Jones delivered a standout performance with eight tackles, four tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown with 8:05 remaining in the final quarter. He also combined with Barrett Silavent for a safety late in the third quarter, which was set up by a booming 61-yard punt from Senn that pinned the Rebels inside their own five. Ganey added eight tackles and a fumble recovery, while Brodie Lowery contributed an interception. Parker Wimberly and Tate Kilcrease also made key stops with a combined 13 tackles.
Special Team Rushing Yards: Titus Senn totaled 65 yards on two returns while Ganey added 17 yards on a return of his own. Kicker Conner Davidson went 3-for-4 on extra points, accounting for three extra points.
Top five tackles Gabe Jones made eight tackles with four for loss and recovered one fumble, Ganey also made eight tackles with two for loss and added one fumble recovery, Brodiey Lowry managed seven tackles, with one being for loss and succeeded in one interception. Parker Wimberly made seven tackles for one loss, Tate Kilcrease made six tackles with one for loss, and Barrett Silivant completed 5 tackles with 3 for loss.
With the win, Ariton improves its region record and keeps momentum heading into the heart of the schedule. The Purple Cats face off against Dale County High’s Warriors in another same-system rivalry game since both schools are part of the Dale County School system.
Dale County Chronicle’s Featured Players of the Week from Ariton High School:
