Week 2 Roundup: Upsets Shake Up Mobile, Baldwin County Football

MOBILE, Ala. — If Friday night was any indication, the race for supremacy along the Gulf Coast may be wide open.

Week 2 delivered two major upsets, several dominant region-opening performances and a handful of close games across Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The biggest headlines came from the coast, where Gulf Shores knocked off Saraland 34-24 and Orange Beach defeated Vigor 21-19.

With two of the top teams in the Southbound Sports Power 10 going down, next week’s rankings could look considerably different.

Gulf Shores Stuns Saraland

Perhaps no result made a bigger statement than Gulf Shores 34, Saraland 24.

The Dolphins entered the fourth quarter trailing 24-14 before scoring 20 unanswered points to complete the comeback. Elijah Malone scored on runs of 2 and 77 yards and also blocked a Saraland field-goal attempt that teammate Joc Prince returned 75 yards for a touchdown.

The victory moves Gulf Shores to 3-0 and snapped Saraland’s 41-game regular-season home winning streak. The Spartans had not lost a regular-season game at home since Spanish Fort defeated them in October 2020.

For a Gulf Shores team already climbing the Southbound Power 10, this was its biggest statement yet.

Orange Beach Takes Down Vigor

The Southbound Sports Game of the Week delivered.

Orange Beach entered Friday night undefeated but faced its biggest test yet against a Vigor program coming off a state championship appearance.

The Makos emerged with a 21-19 victory, improving to 3-0 and earning a critical early region win. Orange Beach stopped Vigor on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game.

After beginning the year outside the Southbound Power 10, the Makos have now defeated T.R. Miller, Monroe County and Vigor.

They’re going to be difficult to leave out much longer.

Williamson Leaves No Doubt

While Saraland and Vigor stumbled, Williamson continued rolling.

The Lions dominated B.C. Rain 56-0, moving to 2-0 after opening the season with a 33-0 victory over Baker.

That’s 89 points scored and zero allowed through Williamson’s first two games.

With the teams previously ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the Southbound Power 10 both losing, the Lions suddenly have a compelling argument to sit at the top.

UMS-Wright Wins Battle With St. Michael

UMS-Wright picked up another impressive victory, defeating St. Michael 17-13.

The Bulldogs entered the season outside the Southbound Power 10 but have quickly built one of the area’s more interesting résumés. After a 42-35 opening loss to Jackson Prep, UMS-Wright responded by beating Mountain Brook 13-6 and now St. Michael 17-13.

St. Michael falls to 0-2 after quarterback Gunner Rivers did not play Friday.

Daphne, Fairhope Roll

Two Baldwin County 6A programs also picked up convincing victories.

Daphne defeated Alma Bryant 42-21, giving the Trojans their second straight win after dropping their opener to Spanish Fort.

Fairhope defeated Foley 42-28, continuing an impressive response to the Pirates’ season-opening loss at Pace. Fairhope has now won consecutive games over Baldwin County and Foley.

Spanish Fort also got back into the win column with a 35-6 victory over Elberta.

Bayside Remains Perfect

Don’t overlook what’s happening at Bayside Academy.

The Admirals improved to 3-0 with a dominant 49-7 victory over Bayshore Christian. After defeating Fruitdale and then two-time defending 4A champion Jackson to begin the season, Bayside continues to strengthen its case as one of the area’s best teams.

LeFlore Keeps Rolling

LeFlore is another team demanding attention.

The Rattlers shut out Satsuma 38-0, improving to 3-0. After a dramatic 28-27 victory over Davidson last week, there was considerably less drama this time around.

Next week’s matchup should be fascinating: Orange Beach travels to LeFlore in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Around the Area

McGill-Toolen picked up a big rivalry victory over St. Paul’s, 34-24, while Baker defeated Davidson 35-13. Theodore survived Baldwin County 31-28, and Mary G. Montgomery earned a 28-14 victory over Robertsdale.

Mobile Christian edged Cottage Hill Christian 12-7, while St. Luke’s defeated Snook Christian 42-14. On Thursday night, Blount opened the week’s action by shutting out Murphy 43-0.

Elsewhere, Faith Academy fell to Montgomery Catholic 38-7 and Chickasaw lost to Luverne.

Week 2 Final Scores

Thursday, Sept. 3: Blount 43, Murphy 0.

Friday, Sept. 4:

Gulf Shores 34, Saraland 24
Orange Beach 21, Vigor 19
Williamson 56, B.C. Rain 0
LeFlore 38, Satsuma 0
UMS-Wright 17, St. Michael 13
McGill-Toolen 34, St. Paul’s 24
Bayside Academy 49, Bayshore Christian 7
Spanish Fort 35, Elberta 6
Fairhope 42, Foley 28
Theodore 31, Baldwin County 28
Daphne 42, Alma Bryant 21
Baker 35, Davidson 13
MGM 28, Robertsdale 14
Mobile Christian 12, Cottage Hill Christian 7
St. Luke’s 42, Snook Christian 14
Montgomery Catholic 38, Faith Academy 7
Luverne 56, Chickasaw 6.

Week 2 didn’t just produce winners and losers. It changed the conversation.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach delivered statement wins. Williamson continues to dominate. UMS-Wright, Bayside and LeFlore keep building their résumés.

Now comes the hard part:

Figuring out what the Southbound Sports Power 10 looks like after all of it.