Carruth accounts for 5 TDs in Huskies win
TRUSSVILLE — His Twitter handle appears to be a play on words from the lyrics to a Nelly song, the one about the roof being on fire.
On Friday night at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium, Hewitt-Trussville High School senior quarterback Cade Carruth sparked that flame.
Carruth completed 21 of his 30 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for 47 yards and two more scores, in Class 7A No. 4 Hewitt-Trussville’s 49-27 win over Class 6A No. 1 Pinson Valley.
“The playbook is pretty wide open with him,” said Huskies head coach Josh Floyd. “He can make every throw. He had a few tough runs that helped us get in the end zone.”
All three touchdown passes came in the first half for Carruth, two to Jordan McCants — a Clay-Chalkville transfer — and one to James Hammonds.
“It was a great feeling tonight coming out here and putting some points on the board,” Carruth said. “We have an absolute stud receiving corps this year. So many guys to get the ball to. O-line did a great job providing time all ball game. Defense did a great job getting to the quarterback and making him scramble around.”
The Huskies (1-0) led 7-6 after the first quarter and raced to a commanding 35-6 halftime lead. Hewitt-Trussville found the end zone on all four of its second-quarter drives. First came a 32-yard toss from Carruth to McCants, then a 41-yard strike from Carruth to Hammonds. After a K.J. Jackson interception, Carruth plowed ahead 6 yards a play later. Carruth found McCants again from 8 yards out to put the Huskies up 35-6 at halftime.
“I loved our first half and really loved the way we finished the first half,” Floyd said.
Pinson Valley (0-1) got back into the game early in the third quarter when Mike Sharpe scored on a 28-yard run and two minutes later B.J. Diakite stripped Carruth and returned the ball 28 yards for a touchdown. That cut the Hewitt lead to 35-20.
“We’ve got to do a better job coming out in the third quarter,” Floyd said. “We just gave up too many big plays. That’s going to cost us.”
Hewitt-Trussville ate up four minutes of clock late in the third, a drive punctuated by a Hammonds 3-yard touchdown run. Pinson Valley quarterback Zach Pyron escaped for a 69-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, followed four minutes later by Carruth’s second rushing touchdown of the night for the Huskies.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Hammonds rushed 18 times for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He caught two passes for 43 yards and a score. McCants grabbed eight passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Recent Auburn commitment Omari Kelly didn’t get in the end zone for the Huskies, but he did catch six passes for 95 yards and rush four times for 38 yards.
“I think we showed what we’re capable of when we’re playing good, solid football,” Floyd said. “I just don’t think we played good, solid football the whole game.”
For Pinson Valley, Pyron, a Baylor commit, finished 8-of-18 for 129 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He rushed for 92 yards and a score. Jaylen Taylor gained 56 yards on eight carries, while Sharpe went for 43 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Jacobi Jackson intercepted a pass for the Indians.
Hewitt-Trussville remains at home next week against Saraland, while Pinson Valley hosts Shades Valley.