Elba and Vincent need a mere 37 seconds to score three consecutive times on kickoff returns.
Back-to-back-to-back.
Tyler Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Elba High School
Two high school football teams in Alabama caught lightning in a bottle last week - for 37 seconds. That's how long it took to set a state record by scoring three consecutive touchdowns on kickoff returns.
Tyler Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior from
Elba (Ala.) ignited the fireworks when he fielded a squib kick to open the second half and raced 69 yards for a touchdown. Immediately,
Vincent (Ala.) sophomore
Rodney Groce (5-9, 175) replied by returning the ensuing kickoff for a 72-yard touchdown.
At that point Elba coach Scott Rials recalled, "It was kind of strange. I told my coaches it would be something crazy if we would get back-to-back-to back touchdowns."
Michael Lindsey.
Photo courtesy of Elba High School
Instantly,
Michael Lindsey, a 5-10, 150-pound senior who runs 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, made his coach's wish come true with an 87-yard touchdown return.
"Our kids enjoyed it a bunch," Rials acknowledged. "They were going crazy on the sidelines. It's great to be part of history - especially on the good side."
By the way, Elba won 59-20 for the first 12-0 start in school history and will be playing
Flomaton (Ala.) this week in the
Class 2A state quarterfinals.
