FROM STAFF REPORTS
BOAZ — Gardendale’s Camanee Goodwin disappeared into the line, swallowed by a resilient Boaz defense that would not let him across the goal. And with a fever pitch crowd watching on its feet at L.F. Corley Field, the Pirates collected a thrilling 28-27 overtime win in the first round of the playoffs Friday.
Boaz improved to 9-2 on the year, while Gardendale ended the season at 5-6.
An emotional Coach Luke Pruitt broke down in recounting how his team overcame a daunting 21-0 deficit with barely five minutes left in the first half.
“Our players didn’t quit, he said, his voice breaking. “Our kids kept playing. They competed their tails off and I’m proud of them. We’ve been here. We were down 11 points last week in the fourth quarter with seven minutes to go. We went into halftime, our coaches made some great adjustments, they kept playing, and that’s the deal.”
The Pirates took more than a quarter and a half to get going offensively, and the visiting Rockets took advantage. Riding the legs of runningback Markell Tyson, Gardendale scored on its second possession when quarterback Ridge Wiggins found Trae Crumb for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Logan Stewart’s PAT gave them a 7-0 lead. After forcing a three-and-out possession from Boaz, Gardendale drove 80 yards on 10 plays, as Tyson ran it in from six yards. The extra point made it 14-0.
On its next possession, Boaz attempted a fake punt that ended in an incomplete pass, and Gardendale had the ball again at the Boaz 45.
It took them nine plays this time to score, once again relying on Tyson, who gained 44 yards on six carries. Wiggins took the quarterback sneak in for Gardendale’s third touchdown, and it looked grim for the Pirates with 5:05 left in the second quarter.
The Pirates finally got something going with a hurry-up offense that quickly moved down the field in eight plays, featuring runs by Dayton Porter. With 2:20 left in the first half, Porter went around right end 15 yards for the Pirates’ first touchdown. Andrew Pena added the PAT, and Boaz had cut the lead to 21-7 just before the half. Eli Busha picked off a pass at the Boaz 36 on Gardendale’s next possession, but the Pirates were unable to do anything with the ball before halftime.
In the second half, the Pirate defense was much more stingy. After Cooper Horton picked off a pass at the Boaz 27, the Pirates needed six plays to find the endzone again. Beau Bennett lofted a 54-yard touchdown pass to Porter, and with Pena’s kick, Boaz had drawn within 7, 21-14, with 5:29 left in the third quarter.
Boaz looked to tie up the game when it drove from its own three down to the Gardendale 18, but Pena’s kick was no good with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Pirate defense held Gardendale when it went for it on fourth down at its own 46. From there, it took Boaz five plays to score, with Porter running it in from four yards out. Pena’s PAT tied the game at 21 with 4:57 left.
Gardendale looked to ice the game with its next possession, once again relying on Tyson. Starting at their own 42, Tyson took the Rockets down the field on five runs totaling 46 yards. From the Boaz 20, Stewart attempted a field goal to break the tie, but Troy Dutton came off the edge to block the kick with 2:08 left in the game.
The Pirates failed to do anything with the ball before the end of the regulation.
In overtime, the Pirates needed only two plays to score, as backup quarterback Sage Bennett scampered in from five yards.
“Sage made a play, and we worked that like it was,” Pruitt said.
Pena’s kick made it 28-21. Gardendale scored in two plays, as Gooden ran it in from six yards out.
Then Boaz called timeout once the Rockets came to the line to attempt a 2-point play.
“They went for two, we knew they were going to,” Pruitt said. “We wanted to get them lined up, and called timeout to get our personnel like it was.”
Gooden took the snap in the shotgun and ran to his right. At the one, he was met by at least three defenders before he reached the goalline. After a moment, he fell backward, sealing the win.
Boaz freshman Troy Dutton blocks a field goal attempt by Gardendale. BENTLEY GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY l For The Leader
