By Erik Harris
MADISON – The opening round of the state playoffs begin this week for teams across Alabama, and Hewitt-Trussville will get the Class 7A postseason underway with a Thursday evening trip to Madison.
Hewitt-Trussville junior Grayson Cash looks for running room against Clay-Chalkville last week in Cougar Stadium. Photo by Ron Burkett
No. 3 James Clemins is a more than capable opponent. The Jets have won eight in a row since dropping a 27-24 contest to previous No. 1 Bob Jones on Sept. 4. That contest served as the eventual scale tipper, awarding the Patriots the top seed coming out of Region 4 and placing James Clemins (9-1) No. 2 in the final region standings.
Hewitt-Trussville (6-4) finished behind Spain Park and Hoover in the final Region 3 standings. The Huskies hope to change their fortunes as they enter Thursday night’s contest on a two-game loosing skid.
“Playoffs is one game at a time,” said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd after last Friday’s game. “We’ll have to come back, obviously learn from this, but move on and get ready for next week.”
Thursday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. in Madison City Stadium.
Sophomore quarterback Davis Burgin has seen the darkest corners of Alabama prep football defenses since his unexpected debut at Hoover on Oct. 23. He was tossed into duty following an injury to senior Zac Thomas, and has been faced with the following three opponents to start his young career: Class 7A No. 5 Hoover, Class 6A No. 1 Clay-Chalkville and Class 7A No. 3 James Clemens.
“We’ve played (good) teams all year, but obviously the last couple of weeks has been pretty good teams, and so (Cash) played well tonight. We’ve just got to go back and try to get better for next week,” said Floyd
The Jets will field, perhaps, a stauncher defensive unit than Burgin’s first two opponents. They marched through the regular season allowing a modest 9.1 points per game. Their last five challengers have combined for 27 points, and they have surrendered more than a touchdown only three times all season.
This wont be the first rugged defense Hewitt-Trussville has seen. Burgin and the offense put 35 on Clay-Chalkville last time out, and are sure to continue demonstrating their able rushing attack.
Ole Miss pledge Jarrion Street carried the ball 26 times against the Cougars for 171 yards and two scores. He got help from Grayson Cash, who has begun taking direct snaps from the shotgun.
Cash tucked it up 11 times last week for 113 yard, including a 79-yard touchdown dash in the opening quarter. They will need to continue Cashing in if they want to pull the road upset and survive to see the second round.
With a win, Hewitt-Trussville would face the winner of Hazel Green at possible No. 1 Spain Park.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.
