Leopards look to bounce back from overtime heartbreak as Toros bring a two-game winning streak to Eight Mile.
EIGHT MILE, Ala. — A pivotal Class 5A, Region 1 matchup takes center stage Friday night as the Blount Leopards welcome the Spanish Fort Toros to Eight Mile for the Southbound Sports Game of the Week.
Both teams enter Friday’s contest with plenty at stake. Spanish Fort (3-1, 2-0) is looking to remain unbeaten in region play, while Blount (2-2, 1-1) hopes to rebound from a heartbreaking overtime loss and strengthen its position in the region standings.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, September 18, at Blount High School.
Blount Looks to Bounce Back
The Leopards enter Week 5 following a 30-29 overtime loss to Gulf Shores, a game that snapped their two-game winning streak.
After opening the season with a 28-7 loss to Vigor, Blount responded with consecutive victories over Rain and Murphy, including a dominant 43-0 shutout of the Panthers in its region opener.
Friday presents another opportunity for Blount to make a statement against a Spanish Fort program that defeated the Leopards 41-22 last season.
The centerpiece of Blount’s offense is junior running back Keevaughn Johnson.
Johnson has emerged as one of the area’s most productive offensive players, averaging 203.7 rushing yards per game and accounting for seven total touchdowns through the team’s first four games, according to MaxPreps.
His production gives the Leopards a proven offensive weapon heading into Friday’s matchup.
Defensively, senior linebacker Jeremiah Upshur and senior defensive end Jarrett Hill are two names to watch. Upshur averages 8.3 tackles per game, while Hill has recorded three sacks this season.
Blount will need contributions from both as it prepares to face a Spanish Fort offense that has scored 63 points over its last two games.
Spanish Fort Finding Its Rhythm
The Toros arrive in Eight Mile riding a two-game winning streak after consecutive region victories over Elberta and Baldwin County.
Spanish Fort opened its season with an 18-15 victory over Daphne before suffering a narrow 28-25 loss to Foley. Since then, the Toros have responded with a 35-6 win over Elberta and a 28-0 shutout of Baldwin County.
Through four games, Spanish Fort has outscored its opponents 106-49.
The Toros are led offensively by quarterback JJ Thibodeaux, who entered the season as the team’s new starter under head coach Chase Smith.
Thibodeaux will be a key figure Friday as Spanish Fort looks to continue its recent offensive success.
On the defensive side, Brandon Marinho and Anderson Butterworth are among the players Southbound Sports will be watching.
The Toros have been particularly effective defensively during region play, surrendering just six combined points against Elberta and Baldwin County.
Friday’s contest presents a different challenge against a Blount offense featuring one of the area’s leading rushers.
The Matchup: Blount’s Ground Game vs. Spanish Fort’s Defense
One of the biggest storylines heading into Friday night will be whether Spanish Fort can slow down Johnson and Blount’s rushing attack.
The Leopards have demonstrated their ability to produce points, scoring 44 against Rain, 43 against Murphy and 29 against Gulf Shores.
Spanish Fort, meanwhile, has held its first two region opponents to a combined six points.
The battle at the line of scrimmage could play a significant role in determining how the game unfolds.
For Blount, establishing the running game would allow the Leopards to control the tempo and keep Spanish Fort’s offense on the sideline.
For Spanish Fort, limiting explosive runs and forcing Blount into passing situations could create opportunities for its defense.
On the other side of the ball, Blount’s defense will be tasked with slowing down a Toros offense that has found its rhythm over the past two weeks.
Region Implications
With both programs competing in a crowded Class 5A, Region 1 race, Friday’s result will carry implications beyond the final score.
Spanish Fort enters the matchup at 2-0 in region play, alongside Gulf Shores, while Blount sits at 1-1.
A Spanish Fort victory would keep the Toros unbeaten in region competition. A Blount victory would give the Leopards a second region win and hand Spanish Fort its first region loss.
With several important region matchups still remaining on both schedules, Friday provides an opportunity for each program to improve its position heading into the second half of the regular season.
Southbound Sports Players to Watch
Blount Leopards
Keevaughn Johnson | RB | Jr.
Averages 203.7 rushing yards per game with seven total touchdowns.
Jeremiah Upshur | LB | Sr.
Leads the Leopards’ defensive production with 8.3 tackles per game.
Jarrett Hill | DE | Sr.
Has recorded three sacks through the first four games.
Spanish Fort Toros
JJ Thibodeaux | QB | Sr.
The Toros’ quarterback will look to keep Spanish Fort’s offense moving.
Brandon Marinho | DL | Sr.
A player to watch along the defensive front against Blount’s rushing attack.
Anderson Butterworth | LB | Jr.
A key player to watch in the Toros’ effort to contain Johnson and the Leopards.
Friday Night in Eight Mile
Blount is looking to put last week’s overtime disappointment behind it. Spanish Fort is looking to extend its winning streak and maintain its unbeaten region record.
With a productive rushing attack on one sideline and a defense coming off back-to-back dominant performances on the other, Friday’s matchup offers an intriguing contrast in styles.
The Leopards and Toros will settle it on the field Friday night.
Southbound Sports Game of the Week
Blount vs. Spanish Fort
Friday, September 18, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Blount High School | Eight Mile, Alabama
Class 5A, Region 1
Follow Southbound Sports for coverage of Friday night’s matchup and high school football across Mobile and Baldwin counties.