Courtesy of al.com
Kyriq McDonald blocked a punt and returned it 22 yards for a
touchdown and Will Grochowski kicked two field goals as Class 7A No. 3-ranked
James Clemens defeated Gadsden City, 13-7, in an important Region 8 game last
Friday (Oct. 9) in Madison.
The Jets (6-1, 4-1) limited the Titans (4-4, 3-2) to 123
total yards as rain, heavy at times, fell throughout the game. Gadsden City
entered the contest averaging 41.8 points but managed only 22 yards in the
second half.
“When you have two very high-scoring offenses rack up a
total of 20 points, you know the conditions were miserable for both teams,”
said Gadsden City head coach Matt Scott. “To be honest, I would like to think that should have been
an advantage for us. Their quarterback was not as effective as normal because
of the conditions, so that should have been to our advantage. We had a lot of
opportunities.”
James Clemens started four first-half drives inside Gadsden
City’s 43 – including one on the Titans 5 – but trailed 7-3 at halftime.
Grochowski kicked a 34-yard field goal with 10 minutes to go in the second
quarter, but Gadsden City gained the lead just before halftime on a 63-yard
touchdown pass from Ahmad DeRamus to Jaylon Williams.
James Clemens moved inside the Titans 20 on three other
possessions in the first half but failed to convert due to an interception, a
missed field goal and a failed fake field goal.
McDonald raced through to block a Gadsden City punt and fell
on ball in the end zone for James Clemens’ only touchdown with 8:13 to go in
the third quarter. Grochowski later added a 24-yard field goal for a 13-7 Jets’
lead.
Gadsden City’s hopes ended when DeRamus’ pass into the end
zone was intercepted with 17 seconds remaining in the game.
Gadsden City continues region play on Friday (Oct. 16) at
Hazel Green.