Razareo Conwell scores four touchdowns as Montevallo shuts out Tarrant for Langer’s first win

Published 12:03 am Friday, August 23, 2024

By Andrew Simonson

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By STEPHEN DAWKINS | Special to the Reporter

MONTEVALLO – A big day from senior running back Razareo Conwell helped the Montevallo Bulldogs to a 32-0 win over the Tarrant Wildcats on Thursday, Aug. 22, in the debut for head coach Garrett Langer.

Conwell rushed 13 times for 218 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs built a 26-0 halftime lead and were never threatened.

Conwell got the hosts on the board first with 6:55 on the clock in the opening quarter on a 4-yard run. Arturo Alvarenga added the point after.

Minutes later, Conwell struck again, this time on a 52-yard run to make it 13-0.

A 9-yard run by Conwell shortly into the second quarter made it 20-0 after Alvarenga’s extra point.

With 5:10 left to play in the first half, Montevallo quarterback Jordan Ward added another touchdown through the air, with Dee Cutts on the receiving end.

Ward connected on four of seven passes for 52 yards and Cutts finished with 49 receiving yards on two receptions.

Conwell concluded the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:14 to go in the third quarter.

Brannon Hudson led the MHS defense with nine tackles In a shutout effort, while Caleb Meriweather added seven tackles. K’Erius Cockrum and Demarious Gentry each had a sack and caused a fumble.

Conwell and others racked up the statistics, but Langer said the team’s offensive line set the tone in the game.

“I’m really proud of our offensive line. They played really well tonight,” Langer said. “We saw it last week in our jamboree with Calera, and then tonight we were able to control the ball and really run it at will.”

Though there was plenty to feel good about, Langer said the Dogs must clean up pre-snap penalties, missed tackles and other miscues in order to maintain the momentum from the season-opening win.

“It was a great night, but there’s a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

Langer was named head coach for the Bulldogs on April 17 following four years on the staff of former coach Blake Boren.

Langer led a Montevallo defense that improved each year, going from 35.5 points allowed per game before his arrival in 2019 to 17.4 points per game allowed in 2023.

The staff led by Boren went 26-17 with two Class 4A playoff appearances, and Montevallo is off to a good start under Langer, winning its season opener for the second consecutive year.

“I’m trying to allow myself to enjoy it,” Langer said. “My mind is already trying to move ahead to the next game, but I’m at least going to give myself the drive home to enjoy it. It’s a pretty cool feeling. I’m really just happy for our guys. They’ve worked really hard. And our staff; I’ve got a great coaching staff. Without them, tonight would not have been possible.”

This year marks a new challenge for the Bulldogs in another way: the move up in classifications to 5A.

After a visit to Sylacauga on Friday, Aug. 30, MHS will begin Class 5A, Region 3 play with a visit from Northside on Friday, Sept. 6.

More Montevallo High Sports

Montevallo seeks next step in Kevin Smith’s second year, jump to 5A

Area athletes named to volleyball All-State teams, Pelham’s Perry Robinson named 6A Coach of the Year

Montevallo preps for year one in 5A under new coach Byron Gaskin

Vincent beats Montevallo for first 5A victory in 23 years

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