Courtesy of al.com
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
Gadsden City scored with just over two minutes left in the game to beat Class 7A, Region 3 rival Spain Park, 29-26. CJ Miller’s third touchdown of the night with 2:25 left capped the Titans’ rally from a 17-0 halftime deficit.
The Jaguars (1-4 ,0-3) led 26-21 with 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Spain Park got its early lead on an Evan Smallwood 22-yard pass to Pierson Cole, a 40-yard field goal by Braxton Sumpter and a blocked punt recovery by Kelby Roberson, all in the opening quarter.
Miller’s first touchdown for Gadsden City (3-2, 1-2) was a 47-yard run with 8:50 to play in the third period. Luke Waldrop connected with Khamari Smith on a 51-yard touchdown pass play about three minutes later. The Titans took their first lead at 21-17 with 2:10 left in the third on Miller’s 10-yard TD run.
Sumpter made a 30-yard field goal with 10:35 left in the game, however, and Smallwood ran for a 10-yard touchdown to give the home team a five-point edge before Miller got the game-winner on a 5-yard run. Gabriel Brito made all three PATs.
Miller (pictured above) ran 26 times for 243 yards for all but five of the Titans’ yards on the ground. Waldrop completed 6-of-12 for 79 yards, while Smith, Khalil Hughley and Clyde Curry each had two catches. Kelsey Smith led the way defensively with seven tackles, followed by Malik Woods and Devonte Graham with five each.
Gadsden City hosts Oxford on Thursday, October 23, for Alumni Night.