TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After consecutive playoff losses to Saraland in 2022 and 2023, Hillcrest finally got its revenge Friday night, stunning the Spartans 24-21 on a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder touchdown with five seconds remaining in the second round of the Class 5A AHSAA playoffs.
Both teams struggled to finish drives early, with Hillcrest turning the ball over on downs at Saraland’s 37-yard line on its opening possession. Saraland followed with a drive inside Hillcrest’s 25-yard line but missed a field goal, keeping the game scoreless with 4:51 remaining in the first quarter…