Leeds knocks off Center Point 17-14 in fourth quarter thriller

Leeds, AL – The Leeds Green Wave (6-1, 4-0) extended their winning streak to six games with a come from behind 17-14 region victory over the Center Point Eagles Friday night at Homer Smiles Field.

The victory secured a postseason birth for the Green Wave who are currently tied at 4-0 with the Alexandria Valley Cubs for the top spot in class 5A region 6.  The loss slipped Center Point to 4-3 overall, 2-2 in region play. 

Center Point controlled the first half, jumping out to a two score lead before the end of the first period.  Sophomore running back Troy Bruce Jr. put the Eagles on the board midway through the first quarter, bolting into the endzone from just inside the Leeds 20 yard line.  Senior D’ontae Eatman capped the first frame with a 10 yard touchdown scamper putting the visitors up 14-0 with quarters left the play.    

After a scoreless second quarter Center Point carried a two touchdown lead into the locker room. 

The Green Wave lit up the Homer Smiles scoreboard with 5:47 remaining in the third on a 10 yard Rametrius Yelverton touchdown run.  Jerry Hood’s squad sliced into the Eagle lead again as placekicker Jackson Arthur split the uprights from 29 yards out with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.  

Trailing by four, the Green Wave defense rose to the occasion stopping the Eagles on fourth down in consecutive possessions and handing the ball back to the Leeds offense with a chance to punch their ticket to the AHSAA postseason. 

Facing fourth down and six from the Eagle 37 yard line Sophomore quarterback Jarod Latta, under duress from a pair of Eagle defenders, hurled a pass toward the sideline, after a couple of deflections the ball landed in waiting arms of Rametrius Yelverton who tucked it and bolted into the endzone putting the Green Wave on top 17-14 with just under five minutes remaining. 

Yelverton finished the game with 112 yards on 21 carries and a pair of scores, including the game winner. 

Sophomore signal caller Jabari Collier lead Center Point with 163 yards passing, connecting on 6-of-9 passes while running for 35 yards on 10 carries.  

The Eagles return to action next Friday night, welcoming the Hayden Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) to Bowman Field.  Leeds plays host to the 1-5 St. Clair County Saints