The playoffs are serious business. It’s a do-or-die situation, which some players thrive.

You can count Cherokee County junior defensive back Brett Burgess and Spring Garden seniors Trey Littlefield and Jake Scott as those players who live for those situations.

All three were recognized for their second-round playoff performances last Friday by the Alabama Sportswriters Association.

Burgess picked off two passes and had a 55-yard kick return for a touchdown in the top-ranked Warriors’ 49-14 victory over Fayette County.

Meanwhile, Littlefield rushed for 164 yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown, and Scott connected on two field goals (37 and 28 yards) in a heartbreaking 14-13 loss at Gaston.

In other top playoff performances last Friday, Deshler’s Deion Belue had a big night.

Belue compiled 287 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns in a 49-13 win over Central-Florence. He had touchdown runs of 55, 22 and 50 yards while adding an 80-yard punt return for a score – the sixth-straight game where he’s had a return for a TD.

The effort earned him the ASWA offensive player of the week honor.

Belue edged two finalists in Damarcus James of Demopolis and Joel Ingle of Hackleburg. James had 43 carries for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 26-18 win over Greenville, while Ingle had 261 rushing yards and 378 all-purpose yards to go with four touchdowns – three rushing and one 56-yard kickoff return – in a 35-13 win over Lynn.

The ASWA defensive/special teams player of the week is Ryan Romans of Russellville, who turned in two big first-half plays in a 14-0 win over Muscle Shoals. He blocked a 32-yard field-goal attempt and later returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

The two finalists were Beau Dobbins of Ider and Floyd Jones of R.A. Hubbard. Dobbins had two interceptions and three tackles to go with the game-winning TD reception in a 20-13 win over Lineville, while Jones returned a punt 47 yards and kickoff return 76 yards for touchdowns in a 40-12 win over Berry.

The players of the week were chosen by a panel of ASWA voters from 40 nominations submitted by members in Auburn, Birmingham, Centre, Demopolis, Dothan, Florence, Fort Payne, Hanceville, Hartselle, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Oneonta and Opelika.

The top performances include:

OFFENSE

Josh Magee, Hoover: Caught six passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns – including a 61-yarder for the game-winning score against Jess Lanier.

Paul Barber, Briarwood Christian: Threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Lions to an upset of Carver-Montgomery.

Devonta Parker, Washington County: Rushed for 290 yards on 38 carries with three touchdowns, leading the Bulldogs over Elba 35-14.

Patrick Moore, Loachapoka: Accounted for 310 yards of total offense and all three of the Indians' touchdowns in their 18-12 win over No. 4 Maplesville – rushing 13 times for 178 yards and a TD, and was 11-of-26 passing for 132 yards.

Malcom Fossett, Hartselle: Rushed for 142 yards on 33 carries with touchdowns of 20, 22 and 3 yards in the Tigers' 28-7 win over Athens.

Dylan Schuman, Appalachian: Led the Eagles to a 35-7 victory over Cedar Bluff by rushing for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Trey Littlefield, Spring Garden: Rushed for 164 yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown in a 14-13 loss at Gaston.

Danny Woodson, LeFlore: Caught five passes for 143 yards, including a 91-yard touchdown in LeFlore's 27-14 victory over Gulf Shores.

Brandon Gottfried, Gulf Shores: Had 194 receiving yards on eight receptions, including a 69-yard touchdown in a 27-14 loss to LeFlore.

Damion Bracy, Jackson: Ran for 154 yards and TD runs of 32, 4 and 6 yards on 19 carries in a 45-13 victory over Opp.

Andrew Williams, Leroy: Ran for 160 yards on 8 carries, with TD runs of 29 and 80 yards, to lead Leroy to a 29-0 win over Houston Academy.

Jack Poundstone, Trinity: Was 23-for-33 passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 37-12 win over Gordo. He also rushed for a 54-yard touchdown.

Ryan McGhee, Luverne: The two-way player rushed for 241 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in a 19-14 win over T.R. Miller. On the final play of the game, McGhee broke up a Miller “Hail Mary” near the goal line.

Cooper Harrington, Briarwood Christian: Barber targeted his favorite receiver for nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Nick Kilpatrick, Crenshaw Christian: Rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns and had all 30 of the Cougars’ receiving yards in a 14-12 win over Coosa Valley.

Frank Rivers, Fairfield: Threw for 237 yards and three scores against No. 1 Cullman and added 49 rushing yards.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Tracy Brooks, Loachapoka: Had three interceptions - including two in the final 1:30 to ice the game - in an 18-12 win over No. 4 Maplesville.

Justin Hawkins, Jess Lanier: Had 16.5 tackles against Hoover, including three stops for losses and a sack.

Brendan Hager, Bob Jones: His 27-yard field goal with 1.9 seconds left lifted the Patriots to a 17-14 win over Decatur and sent the program into the third round for the first time in school history.

Kezmond Myles, McAdory: Had two sacks and a safety in a 20-7 win against Walker.

Raiques Crump, Minor: Collected 10 tackles and another stop behind the line in a loss to Spain Park.

James Ponder, Auburn: Recorded nine tackles and 2.5 sacks in the No. 1 Tigers' 27-24 win over Wetumpka.

Jerome Greer, Loachapoka: Had eight tackles, two of the Indians' four sacks and blocked an extra point in an 18-12 win over No. 4 Maplesville.

Brett Burgess, Cherokee County: Picked off two passes and had a 55-yard kick return for a touchdown in the top-ranked Warriors’ 49-14 victory over Fayette County.

Jake Scott, Spring Garden: The senior connected on two field goals (37 and 28 yards) in the Panthers’ 14-13 loss at Gaston.

Brandon Roberts, Daphne: Booted a 26-yard field goal with 6:51 remaining to lift Daphne to a 16-14 upset over No. 4-ranked Fairhope.

Sterling Young, Hoover: Picked off two Jess Lanier passes in the fourth quarter to preserve a 27-17 Hoover win.

Mitchell Reilly, Trinity: Recorded 13 tackles, two sacks and a safety in a 37-12 win over Gordo.

Ethan Teel, Edgewood: Picked off a pass and returned it 23 yards for a score in a 28-13 win over Southern Academy

Tory Upshaw, Brantley: Recorded 11 tackles on defense and had a receiving touchdown on offense in a 41-7 win over McIntosh.