By Eric Mann

Gulf Coast Newspapers

SPANISH FORT — Selma’s season ended in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Friday night in a 66-0 loss to No. 1 ranked Spanish Fort.

Like most Toros’ opponents this season, the Saints were unable to get much going in the game.

“I told our guys if you want to win a state championship, there’s your measuring stick,” Selma head coach Leroy Miles said.

Miles was impressed with the Toros, saying they were the best team he had seen in his time as Selma’s head football coach.

Now that his team has seen how good Class 5A’s No. 1 team is, Miles said his team has something to work towards this offseason.

“You’ve got to bring you’re a-game and it takes a lot of work,” Miles said. “You’ve got to work on strength and conditioning and get bigger, faster and stronger every year if you want to compete on that level.”

The Saints were hoping that running the “Wildcat” formation and moving the ball consistently would keep the Toros off the field and allow them to methodically drive the ball. Early on the gameplan had some success, but the Toros eventually adjusted and forced the Saints to do things they weren’t as comfortable doing. While Selma struggled, the Toros had a lot of success offensively.

Spanish Fort’s Michael Howard rushed 15 times for 134 yards and three scores and sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston completed 5-of-7 passes for 123 yards, two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown to lead the Toros.

“I’m proud of the way we came out and played,” Spanish Fort head coach Mark Freeman said. “We had a great week at practice and I was hoping we could carry that over to the game tonight and we did. Selma has some great athletes and they played hard. I’m proud of our guys for getting the win.”

Spanish Fort hurried and pressured Selma quarterback Jesse Boggs all night. The Toros’ Ronald Smith intercepted Selma quarterback Jesse Boggs on Selma’s second drive while Matt Hall and Maurice Cole sacked him in the end zone for a safety late in the second quarter.

Spanish Fort led 45-0 at the half.

In the fourth quarter Selma’s David Whitt Jr. returned a kickoff to the Toro 19 but Spanish Fort’s Tommie Jackson intercepted Boggs one play later to end the Saints’ scoring threat. Whitt also recovered a Spanish Fort fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter but the Saints turned the ball over on the ensuing possession.

Spanish Fort won its 20th consecutive game and moves on to play Sylacauga in the second round of the playoffs. Even with the loss, Selma finished with one of the best records in school history. The Saints went 7-4 this season.