By Erik Harris
GARDENDALE — On July 28, Gardendale head coach Matt Plunkett sat before the media in the shadows of his high school to talk about the upcoming 2014 football season.
The second-year coach, wearing a maroon Polo, could have discussed any player, any team, anything. He chose to highlight one particular opponent — Clay-Chalkville — and challenged the five seniors standing to his left.
A challenge that before Friday night sounded exciting.
“Our definition of success is Week 9 when Clay-Chalkville rolls into town, we’re playing for a region championship,” Plunkett said at Birmingham High School Football Media Days.
Now, three months removed from his statement, Plunkett’s definition of success might need a re-write. After getting everything he asked for, he watched the top-ranked Cougars walk into Driver Stadium and take the Class 6A, Region 6 championship in dominant fashion, 45-20, on Friday night.
Gardendale gave the Class 6A frontrunners a tough two quarters, but Clay-Chalkville (9-0, 6-0) took the second half kickoff and completely took control of the 20-14 game.
A stubborn Cougars defense played not only with great speed, but with great discipline, allowing their hosts zero first downs in the second half. They also recorded two second-half Rocket safeties.
“The last two games we’ve given up seven points in the second half,” said Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood. “I’m so proud of them and the kids have really bought in.”
Offensively, Hood’s plan was simple: run the football. Clay-Chalkville pounded the ball all night behind the big boys, and running back Terrelle West had a big night.
“Our O-line has been really impressive this year and we know that we’re good up front,” West said.
The senior rushed the ball 21 times for 224 yards and two scores. His first touchdown went 97 yards on a toss sweep down the visiting sideline to put Clay-Chalkville up 20-7 with 3:20 remaining in the half.
“I really didn’t do anything, it opened up for me and I just hit the seam,” West said. “My offensive line blocked great.”
The second was a 1-yard plunge to make it 36-14.
Senior Art Smith also put a dent in the Gardendale defense. He finished with 104 yards on 12 carries.
“I’m so proud of that offensive line, they just toughed it up against seven, eight and nine people at times (in the box),” Hood said.
That bullish philosophy opened up some throwing lanes for Tyrell Pigrome. He caught the Rockets playing the run on two occasions; both went for lengthy touchdowns.
Nico Collins blew by the secondary on a 44-yard play-action pass in the second quarter to reclaim the lead 13-7. Pigrome later dropped a beautiful ball into the hands of T.J. Simmons from 31 yards out.
The righty finished 15-of-22 for 221 yards and the two scoring tosses. He added a 44-yard touchdown rush in the fourth, which ended the offensive scoring at 43-14.
Gardendale’s lone second-half score came on a 75-yard kickoff return by Juan Jackson with 9:37 remaining.
Plunkett’s only lead of the night came when Austin Hicks scampered 35 yards for the score to make it 7-6 at the nine-minute mark of the second quarter.
The Rockets ended the half with a 17-yard touchdown scamper from quarterback Zach Cupps to pull to within six.