GARDENDALE, Alabama -- These two high scoring teams didn't disappoint as the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies defeated Gardendale 39-34 at Driver Stadium Friday night in a non-region contest. It took an onside kick recovery with less than three minutes of the game before this game was settled between these two teams. 

Hewitt-Trussville (1-1) scored two huge touchdowns in the fourth quarter that provided the difference in the game. "This is a big time win for us," said Huskies Head coach Josh Floyd. "I wish we could have finished the game off earlier, because we had a chance right before halftime not getting in the end zone. Coming off a loss last week, that was a heart breaker for us. To bounce back, this is a big win for us."

Gardendale scored first when Zach Cupps took the ball around the left end for the first score of the game. With 6:50 left in the first quarter, the Rockets led 7-0. Hewitt-Trussville responded on a Zac Thomas to Noah Igbinoghene with a 40-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with 3:31 left in the first quarter.

The Huskies came right back early in the second quarter on another Thomas to Igbinoghene long pass play. This touchdown play was good for a 72-yard TD play. "We have a track star that is real fast on the outside," said Huskies QB Thomas. "So we knew that he could beat that guy and we just took that matchup. I believe we proved to the people of Alabama what we are capable of." With the second TD for the Huskies, Hewitt-Trussville led 14-7 with 10:34 left in the half.

On the next Gardendale possession, defensive back Seth Keahey picked off a Rockets pass and put the Huskies deep in Gardendale territory. A few plays later, Thomas ran for a 9-yard touchdown run to open the Huskies lead to 21-7 with 8:34 left in the half. The Huskies defense made a huge stop late in the second quarter. On a 4th and goal play from the 5-yard line of Hewitt-Trussville, the Rockets QB Cupps tried a naked boot leg but ran into Nathan Helms to end a big Gardendale drive. Hewitt-Trussville had another chance to score before the half, but was denied by the Gardendale defense and Hewitt-Trussville went into the locker room up 21-7 at halftime. "We had a chance to put this game out of reach, but we didn't do it," added Floyd. "We need to do a better job of putting teams away when we get the chance."

In the second half, Gardendale turned the tide. With 7:25 left in the third quarter, Walvid King rain into the end zone from 9-yards out to cut the Huskies lead to 21-14. The Rockets tied the game with 3:46 left in the third quarter when Cupps scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. A Cupps to Reagan Padgett for a 70-yard completion setup the Rockets touchdown.

With 11:55 left in the game, Parker Colburn hit a huge 30-yard field goal to give the Huskies a 24-21 lead. The big touchdown of the game came when Thomas found Garrison Garner from five yards out to give the Huskies a 32-21 lead with 7:34 in the game. Thomas had a big game against the Rockets defense. The senior quarterback completed 14-of-27 passing for 205 yards passing & three touchdowns. Thomas had 80 rushing yards and picked up several first downs on the ground on third down & short in the first half.

Gardendale made a run with a Cupps to Blake Zumbado on a 29-yard touchdown play to cut the Huskies lead again at 32-27 with only 5:56 left in the game.

Hewitt-Trussville had another impressive drive and Jarrion Street had a 8-yard touchdown run to give the Huskies a little breathing room with 3:14 left in the game. "I thought we did a good job of running the football when we needed to," said Floyd. "I don't think they respected our passing game and we did a good job of hitting some big passing plays and found some balance in our offense." Street finished the game with 214 yards on 26 rushes and one touchdown. With the Huskies touchdown, Hewitt-Trussville led 39-27.

The final touchdown for Gardendale came with 2:30 left in the game, when Cupps to Padgett connected on a 15-yard touchdown pass. " We played a great football team tonight," said Rockets Head coach Matt Plunkett. "I'm proud of our team and look forward to the opportunity that we have next week."

For Gardendale, Cupps completed 13-of-17 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns. The senior QB ran for two touchdowns. Padgett had six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.