Sullivan; Defense Lead Flag Football to Two Wins

TUSCALOOSA - Freshman quarterback Jayci Sullivan and a stout defense combined to lead the Shelton State Community College women's flag football team to a pair of wins in less than ideal weather conditions on Sunday afternoon.

Sullivan (Northside HS) threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Lanijia Seay in overtime to lift the Bucs past Bishop State 6-0 in the opener. 

Sullivan tossed three touchdown passes in the 19-0 win over Lurleen B. Wallace in the nightcap. 

The Lady Bucs defense was equally impressive holding both teams to 43 total plays of zero or negative yards. 

The defense added 10 pass deflections, five tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions and one blocked punt. 

"Our defense is really good," head coach Doug Rogers said. "We feed off each other and communicate well."

Neither team generated much offense as steady rains and a brisk wind kept the Bucs and Wildcats scoreless through regulation. 

"It was really hard in the first game with the rain and wind," Sullivan said. "The wind would knock the ball down at times."

Shelton State (8-4) finally broke through in overtime with 5-play drive capped by Sullivan's 7-yard pass to Seay. The extra point conversion was no good.

"I told the team, if we can score one time, we are going to win this game. It was cold, you can't feel your hands, it's hard to pull flags, let's just get to overtime and we will win."

The Lady Bucs then held the Wildcats on four downs in the overtime to capture the win. 

In addition to catching the game-winning touchdown pass, Seay added two interceptions and one pass breakup. 

Sevyn Walker recorded two sacks and Jaidyn Paramore (Tuscaloosa County HS) blocked a punt. 

In the win over LBW, Sullivan engineered an 11-play scoring drive on the first possession to give the Bucs a 7-0 lead. 

She completed 9-of-10 passes for 70 yards on the drive and then added to extra point with a nifty run from the 5-yard line. 

"There was definitely more rhythm in the second game without the rain and wind," Sullivan added. 

The Bucs made it 13-0 on the next possession when Sullivan tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ja'Niya Garrett.

Shelton State scored its final touchdown with 8:35 left in the third quarter when Sullivan fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to Seay. 

Sullivan was 22-for-29 (.757) for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the win over LBW. She had 31 completions for 252 yards and four touchdowns in the two wins. 

"We are trying to get on the right page as far reads go," Rogers said. "Jayci is a smart kid and getting better everyday. She is getting better at trusting her reads, like she did today."

Seay added 63 yards and three touchdowns in the wins. She caught touchdown passes of 7, 5 and 15 yards. 

Freshman rover RaVonnie King anchored the defense with four stops, two pass breakups and one interception against the Saints. 

Shelton State closes out the regular season against Wallace Hanceville and Northwest Shoals on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 17 Springs in Millbrook.