Gadsden City (5-1, 3-0) at Huntsville (3-2, 2-1)
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville 31, GCHS 27; Austin 28, Huntsville 16
Last meeting: GCHS 42, Huntsville 41 (2013)
Series record: Gadsden City leads 3-1
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Yes, Gadsden City lost a game to Hewitt-Trussville last week.
Did that setback help, though?
“In a way, you could say that,” said Titan coach Matt Scott. “It can maybe reinforce what we’re preaching to them, that you have to play sound, fundamental football against that type of team, because they’re going to. We can’t out-athlete that kind of team.”
Other than the loss, Scott was happy with Gadsden City’s efforts, especially on offense.
“It was one of our better, maybe our best offensive game of the year,” he said. “As far as moving the ball up and down the field, we did what we needed to do. They never stopped us. We stopped ourselves with turnovers.”
Turnovers, especially interceptions, kept that from translating into points.
Defensively, the Titans played well on first and second downs but were unable to stop the Huskies on third down. Hewitt completed 11-of-14 third down attempts.
“If there’s a lesson to be learned, it’s that we have to play disciplined and fundamental football against that kind of team,” Scott said.
Gadsden City currently holds down the top spot in Class 7A, Region 4, a game ahead of Huntsville, Bob Jones, James Clemens and Buckhorn.
For the Titans last week, Ahmad DeRamus completed 13-of-21 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Rodney Bozeman, Jr., gained 89 yards on nine carries.