By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — The scoreboard at Cougar Stadium is underlined by a white bar with navy blue letters that read in all caps “2011 UNDEFEATED SEASON (10-0).”
That season was marred by the vacating of the first nine wins due to Clay-Chalkville playing an ineligible player, resulting in a 1-9 official record.
[VIDEO: Post-game interview with Clay-Chalkville Head Coach Jerry Hood]
That line can now be updated by changing the year to 2014. The Class 6A No. 1 Cougars (10-0) routed Hewitt-Trussville (5-5) in the second half, winning a game that went to halftime tied at 21 by a final score of 59-28.
Clay-Chalkville junior quarterback Tyrell Pigrome drops back to pass against Hewitt-Trussville on Thursday.
photo by Ron Burkett
“It feels very good (to be undefeated), all the hard work we did,” said Clay-Chalkville senior safety Torrence Willis.
Junior wide receiver T.J. Simmons said being undefeated feels “amazing.”
“I’ve never been undefeated,” he said.
With the win, Clay-Chalkville breaks the state record for most consecutive games scoring 20 or more points. The Cougars have done so now in 57 straight games dating back to Week 3 of 2010. Hoover did so 56 times between 2001 and 2004.
Clay-Chalkville hasn’t lost to Hewitt-Trussville on the field since 2008. This is the third straight year the Cougars have scored 50 or more points on the Huskies. Simmons said preparing for the crosstown rival isn’t any different than other games.
“It was the same old game,” Simmons said. “It was just business as usual.”
Tied at 21 entering the third quarter, Clay-Chalkville turned on the jets. After a 52-yard kickoff return by Art Smith, Clay-Chalkville junior quarterback Tyrell Pigrome scampered 45 yards for a touchdown just 18 seconds into the second half. After a three-and-out by Hewitt-Trussville, the Cougars scored just two minutes later when Jordan Young hit Pigrome on a reverse pass from 11 yards out.
After another Huskies punt, Pigrome found Nico Collins for a 35-yard TD, giving Clay-Chalkville a 42-21 lead midway through the third. Hewitt-Trussville junior quarterback Zac Thomas was picked off by Nick Battle on the ensuing possession, which he returned to the Hewitt-Trussville 2-yard line. Pigrome plunged forward two plays later to go up 49-21.
“(Clay-Chalkville) has athletes all over the field,” said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd.
Clay-Chalkville scored early in the fourth quarter when senior running back Terrelle West darted 28 yards for a TD. Hewitt-Trussville’s Cyle Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a block in the back penalty. The Huskies punted four plays later.
A Patrick Millican 38-yard field goal was Clay-Chalkville’s final points, and Jarrion Street scored from three yards out for Hewitt-Trussville with 1:46 left to make it a 59-28 game.
The first half was a thing of beauty for fans who enjoy fast-paced, high-scoring contests. Hewitt-Trussville capped a 13-play, 78-yard drive with a touchdown when Thomas hit Moore from nine yards out to put the Huskies up 7-0 four minutes into the game.
Hewitt-Trussville junior running back Jarrion Street breaks free against Clay-Chalkville on Thursday.
photo by Ron Burkett
Clay-Chalkville tied it up three minutes later when Smith burst 55 yards for a TD. Hewitt-Trussville answered on the next drive when Street found the end zone from three yards out. The Cougars tied the game at 14 when West rushed 20 yards with 8:09 left until halftime.
Hewitt-Trussville scored five plays later when Thomas dove for the end zone after rushing the ball 12 yards. Clay-Chalkville tied the game at 21 with 3:33 left until halftime when Pigrome found Simmons for a jump ball in the corner of the end zone from 18 yards out. Hewitt-Trussville’s T.J. McGettigan missed a 40-yard field goal attempt as the first half clock expired.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Thomas was 12-of-29 for 103 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He rushed 15 times for 104 yards and a score. Street rushed 26 times for 135 yards and two scores.
For Clay-Chalkville, Pigrome accounted for five touchdowns — two rushing, two passing and one receiving. He completed 10-of-11 passes for 163 yards, while rushing for 108 yards on 11 carries. West toted the ball 17 times for 167 yards and two TDs.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
