SPORTS LEDGER Established 2006 The PAGE 6 December 2025 E-Edition Read More Online at www.thesportsledger.com
Alabama Wins 2025 Iron Bowl The Governor added that with the court decision, "the temporary restraining order remains in place, allowing our CHOOSE Act student-athletes to continue competing." Ivey added the state is "look forward to finding a permanent solution." Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter recently announced that the court system will maintain the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the state's ongoing lawsuit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). “Our mission is to simply let the kids play. We have been open to working with the AHSAA all along to ensure they do not unfairly and unlawfully discriminate against our CHOOSE Act student-athletes. Now is no different," said Ivey. Restraining Order Remains in place against AHSAA The No. 10 Alabama football team (10-2, 7-1 SEC) outlasted in-state rival Auburn (5-7, 1-7 SEC) in the 90th edition of the Iron Bowl, holding on for a 27-20 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The victory marks the Crimson Tide’s sixth consecutive win over the Tigers and it secured Alabama a spot in the 2025 Southeastern Conference Championship game, which will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on December 6. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson completed 19-of- 35 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 31 yards on 10 rushing attempts. Isaiah Horton was Simpson’s go-to target throughout the night, closing his evening with a team-leading five receptions for 35 yards and all three Crimson Tide touchdown catches. “This is a crazy environment to come and play in. They’re a great defense. My mindset was just execute, execute, execute. That’s it," said Horton. “Me and Ty have been together since we were kids, and today, you saw it. He played his heart out and I’m proud of him.” Alabama teammate Lotzeir Brooks hauled in three receptions for 29 yards, while Germie Bernard also managed three catches for 24 yards. On the ground, Jam Miller led the charge with 15 carries for 83 yards in addition to tallying two receptions for 12 yards. Alabama's defense stood firm in the latter moments, helping lead to the rivalry win. Deontae Lawson led all Alabama defenders with seven tackles, including one for a loss, while securing a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to help the Tide bleed the clock in the late stages of the contest. Keon Sabb totaled five tackles with two pass breakups, while Bray Hubbard recorded two tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. Auburn was led by quarterback Ashton Daniels, who completed 18-of-39 pass attempts for 259 yards, with one interception and a touchdown pass to Malcolm Simmons. Daniels also rushed for 108 yards. Tiger teammate Jeremiah Cobb rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown. Fort Payne native Alex McPherson added a pair of field goals in the Iron Bowl. “It was good to finally play another full season again. It didn’t start how I wanted it to with my health and everything. But as the season went on, I was able to gain the weight back, get my strength back and be there when my team needed me. I was able to knock it down, and it was just awesome to be a part of this team, a great team. I just can’t wait to see what we have in store," said McPherson. Following the game, Auburn named Alex Golesh as the program's next head football coach. Read more about coach Golesh inside this edition of The Sports Ledger. By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger
Area Football Teams Fall in State Semifinals Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Logan Williams (#4) attempts a jump shot for Boaz, as Asbury's Daniel Johnson (#34,) and Garrett Spain (#22) defend on the play. The Pirates defeated the visiting Rams 78-66. The win helped Boaz jump out to a 3-2 overall record before the Thanksgiving Break.
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Several Northeast Alabama football teams in The Sports Ledger's primary coverage area fell in the AHSAA state semifinals on Nov. 28. In Class 2A, the Pisgah Eagles fell to Coosa Christian 44-36. The Eagles closed out the season with an 11-3 overall record. Coosa advanced to the State Championship game, which will be against Lanett on Friday, December 5, at 3 p.m. In Class 3A, Piedmont fell to Mars Hill Bible 48- 16. Mars Hill had reached the state semifinal round with a 42-0 quarterfinal victory over the Geraldine Bulldogs. In Class 4A, the Plainview Bears gave up a late touchdown to fall to Anniston 32-29. Both teams reached the semifinal round with an undefeated 13-0 record. Plainview finished the year at 13-1, while Anniston moved to 14-0. With a win over Jackson in the Class 4A State Championship game, the Bulldogs could finish the year with a perfect 15-0 record. In Class 5A, the Scottsboro Wildcats fell to Moody 35-10. Scottsboro finished the year at 9-5 overall. In Girls Flag football action, the Boaz Pirates fell in the Class 1A/5A State Semifinals. The Priates' fell to Moody 28-14. The 2025 AHSAA Super 7 State Football Championship are set for December 3-5 at the Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham. This includes games for both varsity boys, and Girls Flag football programs.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Plainview's Owen Hope (#8) runs the football during the AHSAA quarterfinals at Good Hope. The Bears won that game 28-7, but fell to Anniston in the State Semifinals 32-29. AHSAA 2025 SUPER 7 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Birmingham's Protective Stadium - December 3-4-5 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025 Class 1A/5A Girls’ Flag Championship • Moody (21-3) vs. Montgomery Catholic (21-4), Wed., Dec. 3, 11 a.m. Class 6A/7A Girls’ Flag Championship • Vestavia Hills (28-1) vs. Central-Phenix City (19-0), Wed., Dec. 3, 3 p.m. CLASS 7A Boys’ Championship • Thompson (10-3) vs. Opelika (10-3), Wed., Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Class 3A Boys’ Championship • Mars Hill Bible (14-0) vs. Bayside Academy (13-1), Thurs., Dec. 4, 11 a.m. Class 1A Boys’ Championship • Maplesville (14-0) vs. Wadley (13-0), Thurs., Dec. 4, 3 p.m. CLASS 5A Boys’ Championship • Vigor (12-2) vs. Moody 12-2), Thurs., Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Class 4A Boys’ Championship • Jackson (12-2) vs. Anniston (14-0), Fri., Dec. 5, 11 a.m. Class 2A Boys’ Championship • Lanett (12-2) vs. Coosa Christian (12-2), Fri., Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Class 6A Boy's Championship • Saraland (13-0) vs. Clay-Chalkville (14-0), Fri., Dec. 5, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025
Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
Alabama Wide Receiver Isaiah Horton (#1) catches one of his touchdowns against Auburn in the 2025 Iron Bowl.
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