Stephens powers Tanner into 2A final

Nov. 30--FYFFE -- Cardiac Kids.

For Tanner High's football team, the label fits.

During this postseason, close games with late surges have been Tanner's theme, and on the biggest stage of the postseason thus far, the top-ranked Rattlers followed suit.

Hayden Stephens delivered a big offensive play in the second half, and Tanner rode a wave of momentum to hold off fourth-ranked Fyffe 16-7 Friday night in the Class 2A state semifinals.

Tanner (12-1) advances to face third-ranked Washington County (13-1) at 3 p.m. Friday in the Class 2A state finals at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa -- a rematch of last season's championship game.

"We don't make anything look easy," Stephens said with a wide smile as his teammates celebrated on the field. "I guess that's just who we are. We always find a way."

Tanner is making its third straight trip to the Class 2A state title game, and last season, the Rattlers won the program's first state title. But as the players enjoyed a spirited celebration the field, and then celebrated again in the locker room, it was obvious that the luster has not faded on this lengthy postseason run.

Tanner has won nine straight playoff games, and owns a 13-1 playoff record in the past three seasons.

When the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Class 2A North Championship trophy was awarded, Tanner's players celebrated like it was their first award presentation. About 30 minutes later in the locker room, players were singing and dancing while others posed for humorous pictures with the program's newest trophy.

"This one feels different," Tanner defensive back Deshun Freeman said. "You look around and see all those guys who were here with us before, they're gone now. This is a different team with new guys stepping up and taking ownership, and it feels good."

Getting back to the state title game wasn't easy. Since the playoffs began in early November, Tanner has been living on the edge.

In all four playoff games, Tanner needed second-half surges to win.

New foe. Different week. Same story.

The game easily could have gone the other way. Both teams struggled to move the football. Big plays were few and far between. Most of the night was spent between the 30-yard lines.

But when crunch time arrived, Tanner rose to the occasion.

Stephens accounted for most of Tanner's offense. He rushed for 221 yards.

And 193 of those came on two plays.

Stephens raced 93 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to tie the score at 7 apiece. He added an 80-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to give the Rattlers a 13-7 advantage.

"When I hit the hole, I saw daylight all the way to end zone," Stephens said of the second touchdown. "There was no way anyone was catching me. We needed a play, and I was going to get it."

Tanner coach Laron White said he felt like a big play was on the horizon.

"Every week, someone steps up when we need it," White said. "This time it was Hayden. He's one of our senior leaders, and he has a knack for making things happen."

Stephens provided the offensive punch. Tanner's defense -- and an unlikely special teams hero --made it stand up.

Fyffe threatened to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter, converting two fourth downs to drive deep into Tanner territory. But Tanner squashed that threat when Freeman intercepted a pass in the end zone.

"I'm not going to lie: We were feeling the pressure," Freeman said. "They were moving the ball on us, and it seemed like everything was going their way. But when I saw the ball in the air, I knew I had to come down with it. I knew we had the game after that. There was no way we were going to come up short."

Alan Rios gave Tanner some insurance in the final minutes, nailing a 20-yard field goal. He had an extra point blocked earlier in the night, but spent most of the game on the sideline practicing.

"That kick was huge," Stephens said. "It's kind of like our team: When we needed something to happen, someone makes it happen. You've just got to have faith.

"Everyone has been doubting us, saying that we couldn't get back because we lost so many players. That's what makes tonight so special. It may not look easy, but we keep proving people wrong."

Washington County defeated Sweet Water 28-14 in the other semifinal.

Fyffe finished 12-2.

Contact Justin Graves at 256-340-2460 or by email at jgraves@decaturdaily.com. Follow on Twitter @DecaturPreps.

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