Lady Bucs Advance to ACCC Championship

DOTHAN - The Shelton State Community College women's flag football had to work a little longer on Saturday evening at Rip Hewes Stadium. 

Freshman quarterback Jayci Sullivan (Northside) threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to freshman Shabreia Brannon to lift the Bucs to a 12-6 overtime win over Calhoun Community College in the ACCC semifinals.

"The game winning TD was designed to make the outside linebacker play the corner route or jump the underneath route," Shelton State head coach Doug Rogers said. "Jayci had to make a quick read and a perfect throw. She put it where Bree could high point it in a contested throw because of good coverage but she wouldn't be denied and pulled it in on a tough catch."

No. 3 seed Shelton State will face No. 1 seed Wallace State Hanceville (0-0) at Noon on Sunday for the ACCC Championship. Wallace State defeated Snead State 33-32 in triple overtime in the other semifinal. 

No. 2 Calhoun (13-6) went on offense first in the over time session. The Warhawks threw four straight incompletions. 

Freshman Lanijia Seay had a pass breakup on third and a 22-yard interception return on fourth down. 

Shelton State had a short run on the first play of overtime and Sullivan had a 4-yard completion to freshman Addison Wheaton on second down. Sullivan then tossed the game-winner to Brannon in the right corner of the end zone.

It was the Bucs first win over Calhoun in three tries this season. Two of the three games ended in overtime. 

Freshman Sevyn Walker (Dothan) returned to her hometown on Saturday and dominated on defense, with five sacks and five pressures.

The game was scoreless until the final play of the third quarter when Shelton State finally found the end zone.

Sullivan's 6-yard pass to Brannon gave the Bucs a 6-0 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Calhoun tied it up on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 9:25 left in the game. 

Shelton State advanced to the semifinals with a 27-0 win over No. 6 seed Lurleen B. Wallace earlier in the day.

"The LBW game was one of our best efforts for the year both on offense and defense," Rogers said. "We used an arsenal of plays that we have struggled with but were able to execute today.

It was the Bucs sixth shutout of the season and second against LBW. The Bucs won all four games with the Saints this year.

Brannon's interception on the first possession set up the Bucs first score. 

Freshman Shilah Borden scored the first touchdown on a 10-yard run to make it 7-0. 

On its next possession, Shelton State hit a 7-yard touchdown from Wheaton to give the Bucs a 14-0 lead. 

Shelton State stretched the lead to 21-0 in the third quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Kamryn Everroad (Tuscaloosa Central). 

The Bucs final touchdown can only be Seay's 40-yard run in the fourth quarter.