Spanish Fort’s first season in its brand new on-campus stadium ended on a high note on Friday as the Toros knocked off one of the state’s premier football programs to advance to the 5A semis.

Even though they scored first in the game, Briarwood Christian’s Lions never really had a chance. The night was too perfect for the Toros, beginning with a stirring performance of the national anthem by a Toro student broadcast by a crystal clear public address system. AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” came over the loud speakers and the teams took the field for the opening kick while the smells of gumbo and “shrimp baskets” from the concession area swirled in the air.

When Keller Davis picked off Briarwood quarterback Paul Barber near midfield on the Lions’ first drive, Spanish Fort’s fans erupted into a frenzy. When Garrett Horst intercepted another Barber pass on Briarwood’s next possession at the Toro 3 to stop a possible Lion scoring drive, the stadium shook from top to bottom and from sideline to sideline.

Even after Barber carried one yard for Briarwood’s first and only score, the crowd stayed in a frenzy, and it erupted once again when Patrick McGavin returned the favor with a one-yard touchdown run of his own four minutes later.

The tremendous atmosphere at Spanish Fort went a long way towards securing the 21-7 win for the Toros, just as it had since last season. The Toros have won 12 straight home games, including six in their new stadium. Spanish Fort won six “home” games in a row before this season in other area stadiums because it had no on-campus stadium to call its own.

But the undeniable home field advantage wasn’t the only reason the Toros took care of business against Briarwood. The Toro defense is serious. Spanish Fort’s defense confused and distressed Barber all night long and it made big play after big play for 48 minutes.

Horst’s first interception came after Briarwood completed a pass for a first down on a fake punt all the way to the Toro 15. The Toros stopped Briarwood on an option play for a loss of eight, forced an incomplete pass and picked Barber off in the three plays after the fake punt.

Every time Briarwood did something positive, the Toros forced a negative play soon after.

They kept the Lions from sustaining drives in the second half. Spanish Fort held the Lions to just under two minutes of possession time and five offensive plays in the third quarter. When it looked like the Lions might drive on the Toros in the third, Spanish Fort forced a fumble and Garrett Beech recovered. McGavin led the Toro offense on another touchdown drive after the recovery.

When Spanish Fort takes the field at Demopolis on Friday in the 5A semifinals, it won’t have a home field advantage. Demopolis is known as a very tough place to play for visiting teams. But the Toros have one of the best defenses in the state and an offense that pounds opponents on the ground and is very accurate in the passing game. And that is a combination that makes Spanish Fort tough to beat.

Eric Mann is the sports coordinator for Gulf Coast Newspapers.