SPANISH FORT, Alabama - The Spanish Fort Toros emptied their bench Thursday night in a 52-6 win over Mobile Christian on Thursday.

With a home playoff game already secured the Toros' main goal for Thursday night was to get playing time for the younger players and to get out of the game healthy.

“We got out of it healthy. I don’t think Mobile Christian had anybody hurt,” Spanish Fort head coach Mark Freeman said. “There are some great guys (Mobile Christian) over there they have done a great job.”

The game featured  the 2A Leopards and the 5A Toros, controlled by the Toros from the opening kick-off.

“The older guys kept their focus in a game that if we played good we were supposed to win,” Freeman said. “They came out here focused and they took the challenge and they got their teammates in the game.”

With staying healthy and getting injured guys back being the focus on Thursday night; playing the backups in the game was important for Coach Freeman and the Toros to let the starters get their rest and recuperate before the start of the postseason.

“The main thing we wanted to see tonight was us to play the game and get out of here without getting anybody hurt and get a lot of our young players in the game,” Freeman said. “The kids came out of it healthy. They practice hard all season and it’s good to get them on the field.”

The Toros featured two main quarterbacks in the game including senior starter Joel Poe, who had a limited night on offense but still racked up good numbers. Poe completed 6-of-8 passes for 143 yards and threw two touchdown passes including one to senior receiver Blain Crain from 60 yards out.

“Joel plays good. He knows his stuff now,” Freeman said. “The short time he was in the game he checked the plays and we scored on both of them. He is doing a great job for us.”

Another key cog in the Spanish Fort offense has been the play from Crain, who had a good night Thursday for the Toros. He finished the game with two catches for 65 yards and one touchdown in the short time that he played.

“Blain has been phenomenal for us for two years. These kids look up to Blain and we are going to miss the leadership when blain’s eligibility runs out,” Freeman said. “He makes great catches, he’s fearless, and has a great sense for the game and knows the game inside and out. Blain brings a lot more to this team than a lot of people know about.”

After holding the Leopards to a three-and-out the Toros got the ball back before Poe threw an interception to senior Jack Bryan who returned it for a 30-yard touchdown. The Toros blocked the extra point keeping their lead 7-6. The Toros scored four more touchdowns in the first half including a 35-yard touchdown pass from Poe to senior receiver Devonte Patrick. The Toros led 38-6 at the break.

The second half was the same story as the Toros scored two more touchdowns including a 1-yard touchdown by sophomore running back Deonte Cyprian.

The Toros forced five Leopard turnovers on the night. They also held the 6’5” senior quarterback Joshua McNickle to a 4-for-11 passing night for just 24 yards and one interception.

With the win the Toros finished the season 9-1 and await Carroll Ozark next week in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

“We need to get healthy and get a few players back,” Freeman said. “We are about where we want to be. We have to have a good week of practice and the team coming in here is a good football team. In the next five weeks we need to play to the top of our ability.”

With the loss the Leopards record moves to 7-3. They play on the road next week against Providence Christian in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.