BESSEMER — Bessemer Academy’s usually strong running game was held in check, but it got big plays from wide receiver Calvin Perry to defeat Lee-Scott Academy, 17-13, in the first round of the AISA AAA playoffs.

In only its second season of football, Ballard was one game away — one quarter away, really — from the ICSGA championship game.

TUSCALOOSA — The loudest Javier Arenas has ever heard Bryant-Denny Stadium was when Terrence Cody blocked a field goal on the final play of the game against Tennessee two weeks ago.

LSU and Alabama enjoy two of the strongest home-field advantages in college football — until it comes to playing each other.

Auburn made 14-of-32 shots from 3-point range and Tay Waller scored a game-high 15 points to lead the Tigers to an 87-40, exhibition win over Division II Miles College on Friday at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

REELTOWN — The No. 1 Reeltown Rebels overcame a sluggish first quarter, found their running game and dismantled the Vincent offense to win their first-round playoff game 33-0 at Nix-Webster Stadium.

DADEVILLE — The No. 8 Dadeville Tigers used the combination of a balanced running game and passing attack en route to a 28-12 win over the West Blocton Tigers in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday night.

PRICHARD — Mario Richardson broke open a 4-point game with a 4-yard touchdown run with 1:10 left in the game to help Vigor secure a 13-3 win over Valley in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs at Prichard Stadium on Friday night.

TALLASSEE — Mike Smith’s tears rolled down his face.

LANETT — Springwood went up early on Escambia in its first home playoff game since 2001, but suffered two key injuries and couldn’t recover in a 46-38 loss that ended the Wildcats’ season Friday night.

ORANGE BEACH — Auburn’s Southeastern Conference Tournament run came to an end Friday night when the Tigers dropped a 1-0 match to No. 13 LSU at the Orange Beach Soccer Complex.

Former Auburn basketball player Dr. Ray Groover will be presented the 2009 Walter Gilbert Award at halftime of the Tigers’ game against Furman at Jordan-Hare Stadium today.

TROY — Two teams heading in different directions will square off today at Houchens-Smith Field in Bowling Green, Ky.

TROY — Troy offensive coordinator Neal Brown watched Bryan Willis carry the ball during a game at Shaw High School in Columbus, Ga., and immediately got worried.

Enjoy today, because it features the last truly big game you’ll see before the SEC Championship game on Dec. 5, barring upsets, of course.

Little Rock five-star running back Michael Dyer, considered the nation’s No. 1 running back by ESPN/Scouts Inc., pledged his commitment to Auburn for the 2010 season today, according to a bevy of recruiting sites.

Jamar Travis’ biggest play of the season came against Ball State, when he juggled a short Cardinals’ kickoff before grasping it for the successful fair catch.

Wide receiver Terrell Zachery came into the 2009 season with two career catches for 24 yards.

Ucambre Williams saw it coming.

While the circumstances surrounding Auburn High’s entrance to the playoffs this season might seem familiar, things sure are different this time around.