Huskies start region play with win over Gadsden City

By Chris Yow
For The Tribune

GADSDEN — Hewitt-Trussville didn’t get off to nearly as fast of a start offensively as it did last week, but the Huskies didn’t need nearly as many points. Clearly, playing with a chip on their shoulder, the Hewitt-Trussville (3-0) defense stood strong for most of the game, and held off a late rally, winning against Gadsden City (0-3) 28-14 in their region opener.

Grayson Cash runs around right end on one of his touchdown carries. Photo by Chris Yow

After pitching a shutout until late in the fourth quarter, Gadsden City put a pair of touchdowns on the board behind two long runs from running back JaMontez Woods, but it was too little, too late.

Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd said he was very proud of his team’s effort, including the defense, which had two goal line stands during the game.

“They had to hear all week about how they gave up 56 points. I’m not really worried about our defense,” he said. “I thought it was the total opposite tonight, as we weren’t doing very well on offense.”

The Husky offense didn’t exactly sputter, but after putting up 78 points last week, the scoring wasn’t nearly as often. After trading punts to open the game, Grayson Cash continued where he left off last week, capping a 10-play, 77-yard touchdown drive with a 14-yard run to take an early 7-0 lead.

Following a quick 3-and-out by Gadsden City, Cash added a second touchdown run with a 22-yard scamper around right end. The drive went 60 yards in six plays. Cash finished his night with 157 yards on 16 carries.

“Grayson just continues to make plays. He’s going to make plays every week,” Husky head coach Josh Floyd said. “I thought our offensive line did a good job getting some push up there.”

The Huskies took a 14-0 lead into the locker room behind Cash and their defense. Hewitt-Trussville used one of those big goal line stands in the first half when Gadsden City took advantage of a 6-yard punt from Cash. The Titans drove inside the five, but big defensive plays and a delay of game penalty forced Gadsden City to throw into the end zone on fourth down. Simon Miskelley was in coverage and kept the receiver from making the touchdown grab.

While the first half end zones belonged to Cash, the second half was all Noah Igbinoghene. The senior wide receiver played a little Wildcat quarterback and scored on a 19-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second half. He then put the dagger into the Titans’ hearts with a 47-yard touchdown catch on fourth down.

Gadsden City did put a couple scores on the board late on the two runs from Woods.

The Huskies now come back home and look to Grissom next week.