By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Since both Park Crossing and Gadsden City high schools had put up some impressive totals in their previous games – the Thunderbirds steamrolling Russell County, 65-6 and the Titans smashing Grissom, 60-19 – things were expected to heat up even more when the teams met up this past Friday (Sept. 23) at GCHS.
Malik Cunningham ran for two touchdowns and threw for one to lead Class 6A No. 8 Park Crossing (5-1) to a 28-14 victory over the Titans (1-5).
Park Crossing ground out 372 yards of total offense with its hurry up style of play.
“Park Crossing is a really good team,” Gadsden City head coach Matt Scott said following the game. “There is no room for error against a team with that much talent, and we needed to play a clean game against them to win. We have to bounce back and prepare for next week.”
Miles Broadnax had a rushing touchdown to go with Cunningham’s TD runs to help Park Crossing build a 21-7 lead at halftime. Cunningham rushed for 105 yards and passed for 129 more.
Damon Williams scored Gadsden’s lone first half touchdown on a 4-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.
In the third quarter, Cunningham found Gregory McConico for a 6-yard touchdown pass. GCHS quarterback Ryan Sparks had a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.
Gadsden City hosts Buckhorn in a Class 7A, Region 4 game this Friday (Sept. 30).
