Selma downs Montevallo for homecoming win
Published 12:32 am Saturday, October 4, 2025
The Selma Saints defended their home turf on Friday night, Oct. 3, taking down region foe Montevallo 36-10 for a special homecoming win. (For the Selma Times-Journal/Nichlos Cutrell)
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By NICHLOS CUTRELL | Special to the Selma Times-Journal
SELMA – The Selma Saints gave their fans plenty to cheer about on Friday night, Oct. 3 as they rolled past the Montevallo Bulldogs in a 36-10 homecoming victory.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Saints, who won their first game since a 24-20 win over Park Crossing to open the season.
Selma Head Coach Marcus Gardner praised his team’s growth and preparation, noting the strides made since the early weeks of the season.
“We had some young guys the first part of the season,” Gardner said. “So, we do a lot of JV games and a lot of development to get ready for the second part of the season.”
That development was on full display as the Saints played one of their most complete games of the year.
Selma wasted little time setting the tone. After a short opening drive, running back Robert Lytle powered into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. After the saints followed up with a successful two-point conversion to go up 8-0. The defense was also just as sharp right out of the gate, forcing Montevallo to settle for a field goal late in the opening quarter, which trimmed the lead but kept the Saints in front 8-3 early.
Selma Quarterback Samarion Woods found his rhythm early with wideout Blaine Scott, connecting for a 20-yard touchdown strike just minutes into the second quarter.
Another two-point conversion stretched the lead to 16-3, as the saints passing attack started to open Montevallo’s Secondary.
Coming out of halftime, Selma carried over the confidence and started to create some separation. The connection between Woods and Scott proved unstoppable, this time on a beautiful 31-yard pass a little over three minutes into the half. Once again Selma converted for two, pushing the score to 24-3.
It didn’t take long for the Saints to get the ball back and Woods to find the end zone again, running up the middle for another touchdown. Despite a missed two-point attempt, Selma had built a 30-3 lead.
Montevallo scored its only touchdown of the night late in the third quarter, cutting the score to 30-10 as the Bulldogs ran into the end zone with a 43-yard touchdown.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly crushed when Montevallo fumbled the ball with 8:21 in the game and Selma’s Kristian Moore scooped it up and raced 52-yards for a defensive touchdown. That score pushed the margin to 36-10, sealing the Saints’ homecoming win.
The night was about more than football. Fans packed the stands for the homecoming celebration, which included the crowning of the homecoming King and Queen at halftime, Kristian Moore for homecoming king and Ja’Kira Tolbert for homecoming queen. Beaming after receiving her crown, she said, “I felt like this year was meant for me to win.”
Between the pre-game energy, the halftime festivities and the dominant performance on the field, Homecoming 2025 will be one for Selma to remember. With the 36-10 victory, the Saints not only protected home turf but also made a statement about their improvement this season, winning their second game.
Selma will be out of action next week and return on Friday, Oct. 17 when they travel to Shelby County.
