Zack Steele, For the Tribune
GADSDEN – The Hewitt Huskies made the trek up Interstate 59 Friday night to the familiar confines of Titan Stadium in Gadsden City for the 18th meeting between the Huskies and Gadsden City High. Fans were treated to an entertaining matchup between two contrasting styles of play.
Ultimately, Hewitt’s quick-strike offense proved too much for Gadsden City’s deliberate, grind-it-out style. The game was intense and often sloppy, with over twenty penalties between the two teams. The game was also “chippy” at times, with both teams flagged for multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and an ejection of a Gadsden City player.
In a game that featured only three punts, both offenses found success in different ways all night.
Gadsden City found success with ball control. Hewitt found success airing it out.
The Titans would strike first with a 93-yard touchdown run by T.J. Worthy on an option play early in the first quarter.
Hewitt would respond quickly with an outstanding pitch and catch from Peyton Floyd to Jacon Serena, who would finish the game with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Gadsden City would march down the field again, but Hewitt’s defense managed to shut down the Titan drive with three straight stops inside their own 10-yard line, forcing the Titans to settle for a field goal.
Hewitt would waste little time on their next possession, as Floyd would hook up with Loving for the first of three scores on the night, this one for 43 yards.
Gadsden City would again drive down the field, only to stall again in the red zone, settling for another field goal with 2:22 left in the half.
Hewitt would work the two-minute drill to perfection, marching 70 yards in just under two minutes. Jacqson Melton would appear to score on a 34-yard pass from Floyd, but officials would rule Melton down just short of the goal line. Floyd would punch it in 1 play later, and Hewitt took a 21-13 lead into halftime.
Hewitt would force a punt on Gadsden City’s first possession of the second half and waste little time as Floyd would hit Donovan Price on a screen pass that netted 35 yards into Titan territory. Price would deal out a little punishment to the Gadsden safety who tried to take him on along the sideline. Floyd would score two plays later on a 7-yard run. Ward’s PAT was good, and Hewitt’s lead stretched to 15 points.
The Titans wouldn’t go away quietly as they mounted another long scoring drive, which would result in another touchdown. The Huskies would hold on to a 28-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.
With 11:26 left in the game, Floyd would “bring back that Loving feeling” as he hit Jett Loving on a swing pass. Loving would juke and jive his way to the end zone for an 18-yard score.
Gadsden would take advantage of a short field after a long kickoff return and score quickly to close within 8 points again of Hewitt as Worthy would cash in from three yards out. The PAT was good, and Hewitt led 35-27 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
About a minute later, Floyd and Loving would connect for a third time on a beautiful pass and catch totaling 52 yards.
Gadsden City would threaten one last time in the 4th quarter, but Hewitt would recover a Titan fumble on the goal line.
Hewitt would close out the game with a 42-27 win.
Floyd was pleased with his team’s offensive output.
“Loving had some big plays, and so did Serena. I thought Peyton made some big throws under pressure.”
Floyd would finish the game, passing 15-23 for 329 yards and 4 TD passes. He would add 63 yards on the ground with two more scores.
Loving had five receptions on the night for a whopping 149 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, sophomore Parker Floyd tallied ten tackles, with 2 for loss. Gavin Williams would add seven tackles and three pass breakups.
Hewitt now turns their attention to region play. They travel to Oak Mountain Friday night.