By Gary Lloyd
Last week against Mountain Brook was big, but this one is bigger.
Hewitt-Trussville hosts Gardendale at Jack Wood Stadium on Friday in a game that will finalize the four playoff representatives from Class 6A, Region 6.
Win, and the Huskies (2-5, 2-3) still have a chance. Lose, and Hewitt-Trussville will miss the state playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Shades Valley and Vestavia Hills are locks, both with perfect 5-0 region records. Gardendale and Mountain Brook are each 3-2. Gardendale beat Mountain Brook earlier this season, 14-9. Mountain Brook won at Hewitt-Trussville last week, 34-13.
Hewitt-Trussville head coach Hal Riddle said Gardendale is an “excited” team that is playing with a lot of confidence under first-year head coach Matt Plunkett. The Rockets are big up front.
Hewitt-Trussville will need to get off to a quick start Friday, something it has struggled to do during its three-game losing streak. Beating Gardendale and a win next Thursday at Huffman would give the Huskies an outside chance at the playoffs.
“We have to win those two,” Riddle said. “4-3 (in the region) can get you in.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.