Hornets fall to top seed Saraland in the playoffs

SARALAND – The Chelsea High School football team's season came to an end Thursday night as the Hornets fell 42-3 to top-ranked Saraland in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.

The Hornets' confidence was dented on the first play from scrimmage of the ballgame when the University of Texas committed and Saraland quarterback KJ Lacey fired a pass across the middle to CD Gill, who traveled 75 yards for a touchdown.

After a Chelsea three-and-out, Saraland mounted an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by an 8-yard pass from Lacey to Nicholls commit Santae McWilliams.

Chelsea had more difficulty with the ensuing free kick as Saraland won back the loose ball. Lacey then shot across the middle to Gill for her second touchdown connection of the night.

Before halftime, Chelsea managed to regain some momentum with a fake punt that Ethan Prickett ran more than 40 yards to the Saraland 25-yard line. The drive was capped off by a successful 24-yard field goal from Luke Miller, making Saraland 21-3 at halftime.

Morgan Barnes had a strong second half for the Hornets. While Chelsea may not have had success in the game, Barnes managed 51 yards for the Hornets' offense in the second half.

The Spartans continued their dominant run in the second half, with scoring drives capped by a 55-yard pass to Deshawn Spencer and runs of 29 and 3 yards by McWilliams.

Saraland will face the winner between McAdory and Wetumpka in the second round of the playoffs.

Chelsea finished the season with a record of 6-5. The game was the last in the careers of quarterback Miller Bauman and his fellow seniors. The Hornets made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 in a successful year.

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