Zack Steele, For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – Coming off a blowout loss to Thompson last week, there was a question about how Hewitt would bounce back on the road against a very good Vestavia Hills team.
Peyton Floyd and the Huskies would answer with their best performance of the year and a resounding 55-27 win that puts Hewitt Trussville in a comfortable position for a playoff spot. By the time the final horn sounded, Floyd would have a career night, rushing for 257 yards along with 5 touchdowns. Floyd would throw for 170 yards on 18-23 passing and another touchdown. Hewitt racked up 621 yards in total offense.
Hewitt’s defense would force five Rebel turnovers on the night and limit the high-powered Vestavia offense to 3 touchdowns. Riggs Dunn would have two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Vestavia would strike first with a John Paul Head touchdown pass to Keown Richardson. The PAT was good and the Rebels led 7-0.
On Hewitt’s next drive they would be stopped on a 4th and short at their own 41. Vestavia looked to capitalize on the short field, but Riggs Dunn intercepted a pass at the Hewitt 11, ending the threat.
From there Floyd would lead an 89-yard drive, hitting Jaden Loving with a 12-yard touchdown pass. Jacqson Melton would have a key 49-yard run in the drive. The PAT was blocked, snapping a streak of 35 straight for kicker Tripp Ward.
Hewitt would score again early in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Kennedy Mitchell, capping off a 14-play 88-yard drive, the lion’s share coming on the ground.
Vestavia’s next drive would end abruptly when linebacker Parker Floyd would make a circus catch on the sideline intercepting a Head pass that was meant to be thrown out of bounds.
Peyton Floyd would later score on a 25-yard run, and Hewitt led 20-7 after the PAT.
Vestavia punched back with a 96 yard kickoff return by Chase Webb, cutting the lead back to six, and reigniting the home sideline.
Peyton Floyd would put out the fire quickly, however, with an 80-yard touchdown run to stretch the lead back out to 27-13.
Vestavia would manage another drive late in the half, as Head would score on a 4 yard touchdown run with 1:16 to go.
That one minute and 16 seconds would prove more than enough time for the Huskies, as Floyd found paydirt ok again. The Huskies led 34-20 at the half.
Vestavia Hills looked to close the gap to open the 3rd, but Michael Igbinhoginee would step in front of a Vestavia receiver in the end zone for another interception.
From the 20, Floyd would lead another long scoring drive, and get his 4th touchdown of the night.
Head and the Rebels would manage their only touchdown of the second half on their next drive, but Floyd and the Huskies would quickly answer with another 9 play 55 yard drive. Floyd would rip off another 25-yard touchdown run for his fifth and final touchdown run of the night.
Kennedy Mitchell would add the icing with about 5 minutes to go with a 14-yard run. Mitchell finished with 97 yards on 17 carries.
“Our offense did a nice job tonight. I am proud of how our guys responded after last week.” said Hewitt head coach Josh Floyd.
Hewitt improves to 6-2 and 4-1 in the region, taking sole possession of the second place spot. The Huskies host Spain Park next week.