By Stan Veitch/Sports Correspondent
Gadsden City High, ranked No. 8 in Class 7A, got a chance to work out all the kinks last Friday (Sept. 11) against Grissom, resulting in a 51-7 victory.
For the offense, consider that the Titans (3-1, 2-0 in Region 4) amassed the seven touchdowns and one field goal in essentially three quarters – after lightning suspended the game with 1:04 left in the first quarter, the coaches agreed to finish the game with eight-minute quarters. At the time of the delay, Gadsden City already led 21-0.
The Tigers (0-3, 0-2) opened the game with a three-and-out, only to watch the Titans cover 65 yards in only two plays. Rodney Bozeman ran for 12 yards, then Ahmad DeRamus connected with Darnell Mooney for a 53-yard scoring strike.
Gadsden City scored twice more in the first quarter, with the only glitch being the storm delay.
“(During the delay) we talked about fixing mistakes,” Titan coach Matt Scott said. “The guys did a good job of doing exactly what we talked about.”
Gadsden City scored quickly again in the second quarter, with DeRamus hitting Ahmad Bell for a 16-yard touchdown. It was set up by a 44-yard Jaelyn Flemming punt return. The Tigers blocked the extra point attempt.
Playing only the first half, DeRamus was 9-of-11 in passing for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
At halftime, the Titans led 30-0 after Holland connected on a 30-yard field goal with 3:27 remaining.
Even with most of the starters on the sideline, Gadsden City didn’t slow down in the second half, scoring touchdowns on three-of-four possessions.
Some of the highlights – after Bell intercepted the ball at the 41, Flemming made shrift work of it, scoring in two plays (a 6-yard run and a 35-yard scamper). Also, the Titans had a 21-yard field to work with after Dyron Tripp blocked a Tigers punt.
“It was a great opportunity to get some of the backups out there and get them on film,” Scott said. “No matter who the opponent, I am more worried about how we play. I felt good about our mentality tonight. We didn’t get sloppy after the (weather) break.”
Grissom’s lone score came on its last possession, when backup quarterback Robert Pruitt found a crease and ran in from 61 yards away.
Gadsden City travels to No. 4 Bob Jones this week.
“This will be a monster game,” Scott said. “We need our fans to show up and support us. Our kids are real excited about it. It’s easy to overlook a team like Grissom when you’re looking forward to a big game, but our kids focused tonight and did what they needed to do.”