Clay-Chalkville opens new stadium with dominating win over Oxford

High School SportsClay-Chalkville's Nasir Ray breaks free for Clay-Chalkville’s first ever touchdown in the new stadium during the Oxford at Clay-Chalkville high school football game in Pinson, Ala., Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha HuntBy Jeff George | preps@al.comClay-Chalkville officially opened a new football stadium on Friday and they did it with a bang.The No. 1 team in Class 5A lived up to its billing with a dominating 49-14 victory over No. 5 Oxford.The Cougars held the Yellow Jackets to 46 yards total offense, including 27 runs for minus-7 yards while the Clay-Chalkville offense rolled with 577 yards of total offense. “We wanted to prove that we are the best defense in the state,” Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman Colton McIntrye said. “All week our coaches told us that we had to win the battle in the trenches and we did.”1161/116Oxford at Clay-Chalkville high school football game in Pinson, Ala., Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.On Oxford’s second offensive play, McIntrye tackled quarterback Maddox Mims for a 2-yard loss. Maddox went back to the huddle and collapsed. Mims left and wouldn’t return. “The quarterback is usually the focus of the offense,” McIntrye said. “When we were able to get him out of the game, it changed their offense. We hope that he is going to be OK.” McIntrye and fellow defensive lineman Keith Richmond dealt the Oxford running game pain on every play. McIntrye, an Arkansas State commit, recorded 12 tackles with 3 tackles-for-loss and Richmond added 11 tackles and a tackle-for-loss.“Overall, I was proud of the way we played,” Clay-Chalkville coach Stuart Floyd said. “Our defense played a heck of a game and controlled the line of scrimmage.”Offensively, quarterback C.J. Eldridge, who was making only his fifth start, was 16-of-24 for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns. The junior fired touchdown passes of 65, 6, 65, and 26 yards in the Cougars’ new digs. Eldridge added 14 rushes for 103 yards. History making play: Nasir Ray ran 53 yards to score the first touchdown in the new stadiumSpecial teams: Oxford scored twice thanks to special teams plays. Andre Ford returned a kickoff 67 yards for a score. After Zion Jackson recovered a muffed punt by the Cougars, Ethan Pate connected with Ford on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Running by committee: The Cougars ran 34 times for 269 yards and 4 touchdowns. Aaron Robinson had touchdown runs of 6 and 1 yard. Andre Elliott added a 7-yard touchdown run. Ray started the game with a 53 yard touchdown run. Coach Speak: “I am glad to get everything associated with the opening of the stadium behind me. The special team mistakes are on me. Other than those two mistakes on special teams, I thought we played very well.” Clay-Chalkville coach Stuart Floyd. They said it: “We knew Clay-Chalkville was a good team. They made the plays tonight and we never could get it together on offense and Clay had a lot to do with that. We have a long season ahead and several more region games. We need to learn from tonight and move forward.” Oxford coach Sam Adams. Up next: Clay-Chalkville has a bye week and Oxford travels to Mountain Brook.