Scott Butler
Homewood defensive end Griffin Gentry has helped lead the Patriots to back-to-back shutouts.
The Homewood Patriots, after enjoying an open date last week, jump back into Class 6A, Region 5 play when they travel to Minor on Friday.
Kickoff between the ninth-ranked Patriots (4-1, 3-0 in Region 3) and the Tigers (2-3, 2-1) is 7 p.m. at Minor Stadium.
While the Patriots got a week to heal and rest for the stretch run in region play, the Tigers tangled with Gardendale and came out on the short end of a 27-19 score.
Minor has athletes that Patriots coach Ben Berguson is wary of. Two are running back David Mitchell, running back/wide receiver Jaylond Adams and quarterback DeQuan Pritchett. Pritchett has already passed for more than 1,000 yards and Mitchell has racked up 405 rushing yards. Adams has over 500 yards in all-purpose yards rushing and receiving.
Romie Dukes, Aquil Melton and Bobby Ford are the defensive leaders.
Homewood’s Carson Griffis is 65-of-99 passing, a 65 percent completion rate, for 736 yards and seven touchdowns. Derrick Underwood has rushed for 451 yards and six touchdowns and Chestin Jones is getting worked into the mix after becoming eligible. Alec Marsch is the leading receiver with 16 catches for 244 yards and four scores and Ronald Claiborne has hauled in 12 for 212 yards and two scores.
Underwood has racked up 673 all-purpose yards rushing, receiving and returning kicks.
Offenses have done their best to run away from Troy commitment Griffin Gentry, to no avail. He has two sacks among his six tackles for losses, and has paved the way for the defense to feature seven players with 20 or more tackles. Gentry has 25. Wesley Butler also has six tackles for loss. CD Daniels has two interceptions, one for a TD and Antarius Mitchell has two fumble returns for scores.
The defense has recorded back-to-back shutouts, blanking Briarwood Christian and John Carroll Catholic.