Fast start sends Huskies past Spain Park
HOOVER — Friday night couldn’t have started better for the Hewitt-Trussville High School football team.
And it couldn’t have started worse for Spain Park.
The Jags committed three first-quarter turnovers that led to three Huskies’ touchdowns and a 24-point deficit. Hewitt-Trussville never gave Spain Park a chance to recover from the early errors and cruised to a 45-13 victory at Jaguar Stadium in the Class 7A, Region 3 opener for both teams.
“I think that was probably the difference in the game, that first quarter,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd said. “We were able to jump on them and we were able to run the football pretty effectively...turnovers were huge.”
After Hewitt kicker Ethan Wilson converted a 25-yard field goal on his team’s opening possession, the Huskies reached the end zone the next four times they had the ball.
Quarterback Cade Ott Carruth connected with Omari Kelly for a 60-yard strike, Armoni Goodwin scored on runs of 33 yards and 1 yard, and Carruth barreled into the end zone from 6 yards.
Carruth’s passing score came one play after defensive back Connor Thomas intercepted Spain Park quarterback Bennett Meredith, while Goodwin’s long rush came one play after a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Justice Finkley.
Finkley recovered his second fumble to set up Carruth’s scoring run at the end of the first quarter.
“I thought our defense just played really, really well tonight, and I thought we played super physical,” Floyd said.
Hewitt-Trussville led 31-0 at halftime and added a pair of 23-yard rushing touchdowns from Sean Jackson in the second half. Spain Park scored on a 57-yard pass from Meredith to Cooper Kelley and a 4-yard scamper from Zamir Farris.
The Huskies totaled 475 yards of offense to the Jags’ 291. Goodwin rushed nine times for 135 yards, while Jackson rushed six times for 118 yards. Carruth completed 4-of-8 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Kelly led the receiving corps with five catches for 107 yards.
Spain Park’s Meredith completed 18-of-33 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Kelley recorded three receptions for 90 yards, while Justin Pegues ran 19 times for 68 yards.
Both teams will stay in the region next week. Hewitt-Trussville (3-0, 1-0 in Region 3) will play at Tuscaloosa County, and Spain Park (2-1, 0-1) will play at Thompson.
Floyd said he’s been impressed with his team’s strong start to the season but understands there’s a long way to go.
“I think this group has a shot to do something special, but man, this region’s so tough.”
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