Gadsden City edges Spartans in low-scoring affair
The Mountain Brook High School football team (8-3, 5-2 Class 7A, Region 3) fell short against Gadsden City (6-5, 5-2 Region 4) in the first round of the Class 7A state playoffs Friday night in Spartan Stadium. The Titans edged their way to a 15-7 victory, advancing to the second round.
Gadsden City started off strong behind running back Damon Williams, who led the charge. Jonathan Kilgo converted two of three field goal opportunities, all during the Titans’ first three possessions, to give the Titans a 6-0 edge late in the first quarter.
The Spartan offense struggled early due to changes in the Gadsden City defense, according to head coach Chris Yeager.
“They made about three or four personnel changes on defense, which was really ingenious,” Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager said. “Their kids were playing hard and confident. We caught them at a heck of a time.”
Mountain Brook did not have an answer until Harold Joiner broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter. Joiner finished the night with 17 carries for 149 yards and that touchdown.
Just when the Spartans seemed to have the momentum heading into the fourth quarter, Williams pushed his way into the end zone from four yards out with 6:55 remaining in the game to put the Titans back on top. They opted for a 2-point conversion but failed to convert, leaving the score at 12-6.
The Spartans made their final charge late in the game but Gadsden City defensive back Joseph Tillis picked off a pass and Kilgo secured the win with a 46-yard field goal with 2:38 left to play.
For the Titans, Williams did most of the damage on the ground. Gadsden City ran the ball 46 times for 201 yards. Kilgo was 3-for-4 on the night on field goals.
Joiner led the Spartans on offense and Will Wetzler paced the unit on defense. Wetzler capped off his career as a Spartan with 11 tackles in the contest.
The Spartans finished 8-3 overall, the program’s best finish since the 2012 season.
“This group of seniors defined a team,” Yeager said. “These guys made a proclamation that they were a team. I’ve never coached a group that was closer to each other and more dialed in to each other. Maybe the best group I’ve coached chemistry-wise.”