By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
To say that Gadsden City got downright offensive with Sparkman last Friday (Sept. 11) would be a gross understatement.
The host Titans (2-1, 1-0) scored on each of their eight first half possessions while building an insurmountable 52-20 halftime lead on the way to a 66-34 victory in Class 7A, Region 4 action.
GCHS head coach Matt Scott was pleased overall with his team’s effort.
“We will have to see how we executed. I did see good things on our special teams, with all kickoffs going into the end zone. The way our offense is playing, teams have to defend a lot of different players. We do need to keep our defense off of the field more.”
Gadsden City rolled up 510 yards of offense while allowing the Senators (1-1) 314 yards.
Gadsden City scored on its opening possession after returning the opening kickoff to its own 46-yard line. A 34-yard pass from Ahmad DeRamus to Darnell Mooney moved the ball to the 20, and after a 10-yard penalty, Rodney Bozeman ran for three yards.
A 27yard touchdown catch from DeRamus to Darnell Mooney capped the four-play, 54-yard drive. The Titans led 6-0 with 10:23 left in the first quarter after the extra point attempt was wide right.
Sparkman marched down the field and Derrick Patterson ran the ball in from one yard out to pull the Senators ahead 7-6 following the PAT.
DeRamus found Denzel Mooney for a touchdown reception with 6:35 left in the first stanza to put Gadsden City back on top 13-7 after Parker Holland’s extra point.
Gadsden City increased its lead to 16-7 on a 20-yard field goal by Holland with 11:14 to go in the first half. The Titans the produced an 82-yard drive in only two plays to increase their lead. Ahmad DeRamus ran the two-point conversion for a 24-7 Gadsden City lead with 8:26 remaining in the first half.
After Sparkman scored on a 12-yard pass with 5:48 left in the first half, the Titans scored 21 unanswered points for a 45-13 lead. Williams scored on a 3-yard run, DeRamus completed a pass to Darnell Mooney from 20 yards out and Darnell Mooney scored once more on a 56-yard punt return.
Sparkman’s Christopher Parker ran through the Titan defense with 1:01 left for an 82-yard touchdown run, but Rodney Bozeman ran the ball in from 5 yards out with 27 seconds to go in the quarter for the last Titan score of the half, which ended with Gadsden City holding a commanding 52-20 lead.
Bozeman found the end zone for the second time on a 26-yard run in the third quarter, while Jamontez Woods scored on a 14 yard run for the Titans.
Gadsden City rolled up 510 yards of offense while allowing the Senators (1-1) 314 yards. Bozeman led the Gadsden City ground game with 137 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Damon Williams ran seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown.
DeRamus, who did not play in the second half, completed 8-of-10 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a score.
Gadsden City hosts Grissom on Friday (Sept. 11) as the Titans continue region play.