After a year’s absence, Gaylesville is headed back to the Class 1A playoffs. And Luke Murphy is a big reason why, after his performance in an 18-13 win over Valley Head on Friday night.

Murphy led the charge for the Trojan defense, posting 17 tackles with three sacks and three quarterback hurries in a win that clinched a playoff spot. Murphy also rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns (1 and 9 yards) and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Levi Morgan.

The performance also earned him Alabama Sports Writers Association defensive/special teams player of the week honors, as chosen by a panel of voters.

Murphy edged out performances by two solid runners-up in Rogelio Ortega of Alexandria and Geneva’s Tate Sutherland. Ortega hit a 43-yard field goal with 12 seconds left on a sloppy field to give the Valley Cubs a 31-30 win over Oneonta. He also his all four of his extra points on the night.

Sutherland had 12 tackles and combined with teammate Zack Morgan on a safety, the game’s only score in a 2-0 win over Wicksburg.

Murphy’s teammate, junior lineman Michael Zuber, was also recognized by the ASWA for his performance last week. Zuber came away with 13 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries in the Trojans’ victory over Valley Head.

On offense, Cherokee County senior quarterback Coty Blanchard garnered recognition after he connected on 12 of 17 passes for 147 yards and two scores (10 and 3 yards), both to senior receiver Gabriel Chambers. He also rushed for 87 yards on eight carries with a 32-yard touchdown run in the No. 2 Warriors’ 45-12 victory at Locust Fork.

The ASWA offensive player of the week was Victor Marshall of Butler County Magnet (known as Georgiana until this season). The all-purpose player accounted for 400 yards and six touchdowns in a 62-28 win over Coffeeville. Marshall rushed for 235 yards and five TDs (including runs of 80, 61 and 58 yards), returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score, returned three punts for 65 yards and had a 5-yard reception.

He beat out two finalists in Montgomery Academy’s J.J. Sewell and Muscle Shoals’ Rodney Hardin. Sewell, in his first game at quarterback, accounted for five touchdowns in a 34-33 overtime win over Montevallo. He rushed for 118 yards and three scores, passed for 164 yards and two TDs – his last on a 4-yard run in overtime for the game winner. Hardin rushed for 213 yards and a touchdown as the Trojans wrapped up a playoff berth for the first time since 2000.

The players of the week were chosen by a panel of ASWA voters from 61 nominations submitted by members in Albertville, Anniston, Birmingham, Centre, Demopolis, Dothan, Florence, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Graysville, Hartselle, Mobile, Montgomery, Oneonta, and Opelika.

Other top performances considered were:

OFFENSE

Josh Parker, Pike County: Rushed for 151 yards and two scores and completed 6-of-10 passes for 76 yards and two more scores on offense, leading No. 6 Pike County to a 34-0 win over No. 7 Daleville.

Drew Phillips, Boaz: Had 301 all-purpose yards and scored the winning touchdown on a 10-yard run in the second overtime in a 34-28 decision over Arab that clinched a state playoff berth. He scored on a 3-yard run in the first overtime and returned a kickoff 79 yards for a TD in the third quarter.

Corey Cahill, Guntersville: Scored five touchdowns, tying the school record, in a 33-0 victory over unbeaten Fairview. He caught a short pass and turned it into an 85-yard touchdown, and also scored on runs of 4, 2, 4 and 1 yards. Cahill rushed 12 times for 72 yards and had the one reception for 85 yards. He collected five tackles for a Guntersville defense that forced five turnovers.

Devan Parker, Hatton: Scored all five Hatton touchdowns, including a 15-yard run on the game’s final play, and then scored the 2-point conversion to give the Hornets a 36-35 win against Phil Campbell. His other touchdown runs covered 45, 8, 38 and 16 yards as he finished with 158 yards on 15 carries.

Jaron Johnson, Alexandria: Rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns (2, 5, 85) on 21 carries in the Valley Cubs' 31-30 victory over Oneonta.

Dylan Brazeal, Elkmont: Completed 8 of 15 passes for 173 yards and all four touchdowns on throws of 19, 59, 26 and 12 yards, as Elkmont beat Sheffield 28-20.

Aspen Peterson, Lanett: Ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the second half as the Panthers overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit to beat Ranburne 21-20 in overtime.

Calvin Jenkins, Auburn: Was 11-of-19 for 146 yards passing and rushed 15 times for 134 yards and two scores in a 26-12 win over No.8 Central-Phenix City.

Chris Ashford, Chambers: Rushed 17 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-20 win over SMCA.

Josh Dewrell, Straughn: Tiger quarterback rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 8-yard run with 1:42 left, helping Straughn stun No. 1 T.R. Miller 28-21.

Layton Grant, Ariton: Rushed for 202 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns (22 and 90 yards) and had a 75-yard kickoff return to set up a score, helping the Purple Cats beat Florala 24-8.

Logan Paul, Gulf Shores: The senior quarterback threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 116 yards and a score in Gulf Shores 33-14 win over St. Paul’s.

Caleb Beech, Washington County: The quarterback threw three touchdown passes to Ledarren Holcombe and ran for two scores in Washington County's 33-21 win over Excel.

Quinterris Toppings, Blount: The freshman quarterback threw for 252 yards and hit Calvin Davidson with four touchdown passes in Blount's 33-7 win over Baker.

Otis Smith, Spanish Fort: The sophomore QB scored on runs of 10, 12 and 37 yards as Spanish Fort stunned No. 3 Vigor.

Coty Blanchard, Cherokee County: Connected on 12 of 17 passes for 147 yards and two scores (10 and 3 yards), both to senior receiver Gabriel Chambers. He also rushed for 87 yards on eight carries with a 32-yard touchdown run in the No. 2 Warriors’ 45-12 victory at Locust Fork.

DEFENSE

Jeffrey Blair, Pinson Valley: Had three interceptions in a 22-4 win over Pell City for the Indians’ first win of the season.

Maricuz Harper, Vestavia Hills: His 82-yard touchdown catch was the first act of Vestavia's 30-27 road win at top-ranked Hoover. He forced another interception on Hoover's next-to-last possession off another pass rush and sacked quarterback Ryan Carter on the final Hoover snap of the game.

Taylor Stephens, Hewitt-Trussville: Had 11 tackles and blocked a field goal in overtime to help the Huskies beat Gadsden City in overtime.

London Pitts, Carver-Montgomery: The defensive back picked off two passes to lead a defense that held Selma to negative yards rushing for three quarters in a 51-0 win.

M.L. Shipman, Montgomery Catholic: The two-way player rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown, picked off two passes and recorded 11 tackles in a 19-13 win over St. James.

Zac Jones, Clay-Chalkville: Had 17.5 tackles in a win over Huffman.

Joseph Grygo, Glencoe: Had 11 tackles and blocked a punt in the Yellow Jackets' 37-0 win over Pleasant Valley.

Jarred Causey, Corner: Had 17 tackles with an assist in a 20-0 loss to Fayette County.

Michael Zuber, Gaylesville: Zuber came away with 13 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries in the Trojans’ 18-13 victory over Valley Head.

Larion Reed, Theodore: Blocked a punt and recorded a sack in Theodore's 21-6 victory over Williamson.

Terry Lewis, Linden: Lewis recorded a safety and spearheaded a defense that recorded its sixth shutout of the season. He also caught a 45-yard touchdown pass in a 64-0 victory over John Essex.

Dequarius Cornish, Minor: Had two interceptions in a 26-14 upset win against No. 4 Jess Lanier.

Orlando Stringer, Carver: Had 15 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in a loss to Wenonah.

Justin Shade, Briarwood Christian: Had 16 tackles in a win over Sylacauga.