Ider reaches state quarterfinals By Kelly Bunch The Weekly Post Published November 20, 2009 No football team in Ider High School history has ever accomplished the things that the 2009 Ider football team has. This year’s team is the first team to ever reach the 11-win plateau. Also, this team will be the first to ever reach the quarterfinals in the state playoffs. The Hornets finished the regular season with a 9-1 record; their only loss came at the hands Fyffe earlier in the season. Since that loss, the Hornets have not necessarily run through or over their opponents, they've just done the things a winning program should. And that is, taking every game one at a time, and play four quarters completely. Ider is no stranger to winning programs. But in the past three seasons the Hornets have only mustered three wins per season. The turnaround is not a complete surprise, but it sure is a welcomed one to the Ider faithful, as the football program looks to be strong in the coming few years if not further. The Hornets (11-1) took the next step toward earning a invitation to the Super 6 in Tuscaloosa Friday night using a tenacious defense to defeat the quick striking Lineville offense 20-13. Lineville was coming off a first-round playoff win over Fyffe. The Aggies (9-3) scored on their first possession of the second-half to tie the game at 13-all with 8:24 left in the third. After swapping possessions, Ider proceeded to put together an 11-play methodical drive that started with close to three minutes remaining in the third period and carried over another two-and-a half minutes into the fourth. Quarterback Derrick Blevins threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Beau Dobbins to finish the drive. Dakota Ellis calmly booted the point after, giving the Hornets a 20-13 lead with 9:37 remaining. A lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Teague Whitaker carried most of the load for the Hornets, gaining 94 yards on 25 attempts. Although Whitaker was the workhorse on offense, several others including linemen made key plays though out the contest. Ider opened the game with an onside kick, and forced the Aggies to go 3-and-out on their first series. The Hornets took over on their own 18-yard line and drove to Lineville's 21-yard line before a fumble put a halt to the drive. On the first play following the fumble recovery, Lineville wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Lineville’s Daniel Staples raced around the left end for 73 yards to give the Aggies a 6-0 lead at the 4:55 mark of the first stanza. The PAT was no good. Two series later it looked as though Lineville would march down and extend their lead. It was the Ider defense rising to the occasion, like it has all season. Dobbins picked off an Aggie pass near midfield with only 42 seconds left in the first quarter. Ider then proceeded 58 yards in 12 plays to go on top 7-6. Blevins completed 3-of-4 passes in the drive; the last was a perfect strike to wide receiver Mark Young on fourth-and-16 for the touchdown with 7:08 left in the half. Lineville returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards, and set up shop at 24-yard line with great field position. With such a short field to work with, the Aggies looked poised to regain the lead. Apparently, someone forgot to inform the Hornet's defense of Lineville’s plan, as the Hornets stepped up their game and forced the visiting team to a field goal attempt which was unsuccessful. With 4:11 left in the second quarter, Ider increased their lead with Whitaker carrying the ball the final 3-yards for the score. The PAT was no good and with: 46.7 seconds left in the half, Ider led 13-7. The highlight of the scoring drive was a 69-yard pass from Blevins to Young with the Hornets facing a third-and-11 at their own 19 yard line. Ider’s defense came up big on Lineville last two possessions. With 4:49 left in the ballgame, Ider’s TJ Taylor intercepted an errant Aggie pass. The offense was unable to capitalize on the miscue and was forced to punt the ball back to the ever dangerous Lineville offense. After three incomplete passes by the Aggies, Dobbins got his second pick of the night with 2:32 left to play. Lineville’s defense looked to have the Hornets stop and possibly have another shot at tying or taking the lead. Ider lined up for a 24-yard field goal, but a costly penalty on the Aggies gave the Hornets a first down and their first trip to the quarterfinals of the Alabama High School playoffs. Blevins, who played the game with ice water in his veins, completed 6-of-10 passes for 138 yards, completing most of the passes at crucial times in different drives. Young caught two balls for 90 yards. Dobbins contributed 56 yards on nine carries and caught two passes for another 22 yards. The Ider defense held Lineville to just five first downs and 151 yards of total offense. The Hornets also forced three turnovers. Ider will travel to Vernon to take on the No. 5 team in Class 2A, Lamar County (12-0), for the third round of the playoffs. Lamar County defeated No. 7 Tanner 28-27 in overtime to reach the quarterfinals. Lamar County is led by senior quarterback Michael Bradford. The Bulldogs operate out of a run-pitch offense that allows Bradford the freedom of pitching the ball or running it himself. Bradford has run the ball 150 times this season for 918 yards and 19 touchdowns. The senior is not to shabby at throwing the ball either, passing for 501 yards and 10 touchdowns on 31-of-60 passes. Lamar County's offense has rolled up 484 points (40.3 per game), while the defense has only allowed 147 points (12.3 per game). 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