A record-setting night deserves the proper recognition.

J.B. Pennington’s Devyn Murphree and Clarke Prep’s Brett Bradford earned all of that on Friday night – Alabama Sports Writers’ Association’s defense/special teams co-players of the week honors.

Murphree became just the fifth player in Alabama High School Athletic Association history to score two touchdowns on kickoff returns in the same game. In a 54-39 win over Hanceville, he scored on returns of 85 and 80 yards and added touchdown runs of 6 and 16 yards, six tackles, two for loss and two pass breakups on defense.

Bradford surpassed Murphree with back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns in the first quarter. He scored on returns of 84- and 90-yards and rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in an AISA win over Meadowview Christian.

Montgomery Academy’s “Z” Jones was the other finalist as he intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a 10-6 win over LaFayette.

Sand Rock’s Jake Thompson was also honored as a defensive selection this week. The senior safety/tailback posted 10 tackles and had two interceptions in a 21-7 win at No. 7 Geraldine. Thompson also rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries with a 6-yard touchdown run and caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in the victory.

On offense, Lynn’s Matt Bridgeman was the ASWA honoree as the running back had five touchdowns against South Lamar – three rushing (12, 44 and 54) – to go with 153 yards, as well as a 55-yard punt return and a 98-yard kickoff return.

Bridgeman edged out Carver-Montgomery’s Andrew Pitts, who rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries in Carver's 47-22 win over Demopolis and added a 61-yard touchdown pass. Opelika’s Cory Grant also received consideration by accounting for all three touchdowns – runs of 69 and 65 yards and a 90-yard punt return – in a 21-13 win over Enterprise.

One other player deserved special recognition for his efforts: Susan Moore’s George Purpura tied an AHSAA record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against New Hope. A review of the game film showed Purpura went 104-yards on the return, but the AHSAA recognizes its longest return at 100 yards.

Some 54 players were nominated by ASWA members in Birmingham, Centre, Cullman, Dothan, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Gardendale, Grove Hill, Huntsville, Montgomery, Oneonta, Opelika, and Scottsboro with the winners selected by an ASWA panel. Other finalists were:

OFFENSE

Eric Vickers, Dadeville: Vickers was 22-of-32 passing for 306 yards and five touchdowns – all in the first half – in Dadeville's 46-15 win over No. 2 Trinity. Four of the TD passes went to Tre McKinney.

Kendall Graveman, Benjamin Russell: Completed 22-of-31 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns in Benjamin Russell's 26-20 win over Lee-Montgomery. Graveman was 15-for-25 for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Josh Millwood, Fairview: Millwood recorded 383 yards of total offense and 405 all-purpose yards in the Aggies' 41-18 win at DAR. He carried the ball 16 times for 202 yards. He added nine receptions for 181 yards.

Will Richard, North Jackson: Richard was 31-for-37 for 336 yards and two touchdowns breaking school records for completions, attempts and yardage in a game.

Dylan Brazeal, Elkmont: The quarterback threw for 208 yards on 16-of-33 passing with six touchdowns in Elkmont’s 42-35 four-overtime win over West Morgan.

Ken Houston, Vigor: The senior ran 29 times for 352 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 68 and 53 yards in a victory over Gulf Shores.

Freddie Moore, Austin: Scored four touchdowns on catches of 36, 53 and 45 yards as well as a 98-yard punt return in a 49-14 win over Hazel Green.

Colton Armstrong, Locust Fork: Helped the Hornets to their first win of the year with 247 yards rushing on 20 carries and touchdown runs of 66, 37, and 74 yards. He also had four receptions for 43 yards as Locust Fork won 24-19 over Ashville.

Harris Gaston, Bessemer Academy: Had seven catches for 194 yards and four touchdowns, playing receiver for the first time this season as well as 10 tackles in a 34-13 win over East Memorial.

LaDarius Williams, Minor: Had 239 yards rushing on 19 carries, six catches for 88 yards and TD runs of 69 and 71 yards in a 37-19 win over Hueytown.

Andric Merchant, John Carroll: Rushed 32 times for 249 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Pleasant Grove.

Anthony Gulley, Brantley: Had only 11 touches, but earned 245 yards and three scores in the Bulldogs' 51-14 win over Ariton. He rushed for 175 yards on seven carries with two touchdowns and caught four passes for 70 yards with one score.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Tim Chunn, Glencoe: The junior safety forced the first two of six second-half turnovers by White Plains in Glencoe’s 33-0 victory on Friday. Chunn ended the Wildcats’ initial two series of the third quarter with a fumble recovery and interception, respectively.

Justin Houchins, Gardendale: Had 12 tackles, including two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble in a 43-21 win over Chilton County.

Jake Thompson, Sand Rock: The senior safety/tailback posted 10 tackles and had two interceptions in a 21-7 win at No. 7 Geraldine. Thompson also rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries with a 6-yard touchdown run and caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in the victory.

Nick Smith, Macon-East: Smith recorded seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in Macon-East's 35-12 win over Taylor Road Academy.

Clint Carroll, Ardmore: Clinched the Tigers’ 21-6 victory over Wilson with a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown with eight seconds to play.

Clifton Benford, Hazlewood: Returned two interceptions for touchdowns, including one of 50 yards and another of 52 yards in the Golden Bears' 62-0 win over Waterloo.

Donald Ford, St. Clair County: The defensive end helped the Saints hang a 26-17 win over Hokes Bluff with 12 tackles, five sacks and an interception.

Cruise Young, Slocomb: Had 14 tackles and Colby Hughes 11, sparking a defense that held seventh-ranked Pike County to 166 yards in a 14-6 victory.

Tomarcus Gortman, Coffeeville: The junior scored two touchdowns (4- and 33-yards) and had 12 tackles, with a caused fumble on defense, in only two quarters, as the Panthers beat J.F. Shields 16-0, ending the longest losing streak in Class 1A at 16 games.