By Phil Gibson
After losing 24-0 at Mountain Brook High School Friday night, Hewitt-Trussville High School fell to 3-4 (2-3 in region play). Their second consecutive loss to a regional opponent makes the Huskies’ next two matchups crucial if they are going to make the playoffs.
The Spartans were simply too good on both sides of the ball, showing why they have yet to be defeated this season. The Huskies only threatened once, when their only trip to the red zone ended in a missed 36-yard field goal attempt.
Defensively, the Huskies were able to get two interceptions, from senior defensive back Bailey Cash and sophomore defensive back Deontay Wilson, but gave up big passing plays for touchdowns twice in the game. Mountain Brook junior quarterback Will Brewster had touchdown strikes from 69 yards and 53 yards in the first half. Junior running back Gene Bromberg added an 8-yard touchdown rush in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
With the loss, Hewitt-Trussville finds itself on the playoff bubble as it sits at a crowded 4th place position in 6A Region 6. The team is joined on the bubble by its next two opponents, Gardendale High School and Huffman High School. Two wins in the next two contests will punch the Huskies’ ticket to the post season.
The Huskies will have to regroup from tonight’s loss quickly, as they face a streaking Gardendale team (4-3, 2-3) next week at home
. After three losses in their first three regional games, the Rockets won 42-30 over Huffman High School last week, and dominated Shades Valley High School 35-15 this week.
If they take care of business with Gardendale, the Huskies will have another test at home against Huffman (3-4, 2-3), who beat Woodlawn High School 29-12 this week.
Hewitt Trussville faces off against Gardendale at Jack Wood Stadium next week at 7 p.m.
There was an emergency situation in the first quarter of the game, as a Hewitt-Trussville spectator and grandfather of a Husky player had to be taken away by an ambulance. It was later confirmed that the man passed away. We are not releasing any further information at this time in order to respect the family’s privacy.
“He’s a great football player, but he’s (also) a great young man,” Husky Head Coach Hal Riddle said of the player who lost his grandfather. “We’ve just got him in our prayers”.