GADSDEN, Alabama -- Turning two first half turnovers into points, Gadsden City goes on and defeats Oak Mountain 45-28 in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs at Titans Stadium. Gadsden City ran as twice amount of plays as Oak Mountain in the first half that translated into a 17-0 lead that the Eagles could not overcome.

Gadsden City (10-2) used their power running game then used the passing game to keep the pressure on the Eagles defense all night long. "We competed real well in this game against a very good football team," said Titans head coach Matt Scott. "We missed some opportunities early that didn't come back and hurt us. I like our teams mental focus regardless the way a game plays out being either good or bad. We have done a good job of staying even keel. Our defense did a great job against their offense even though we knew that they would score some points."

The game looked like is was going to be a defensive struggle because both defenses shut down the offences for most part. The only chance for a team to score in the first quarter was when Gadsden City moved the ball to the Eagles 5-yard line but was stopped on a fourth down play.

Gadsden City opened the scoring in the second quarter scoring 17 unanswered points. The first touchdown was on a Ahmad DeRamus pass to Denzel Mooney in the back of the end zone. The play was supposed to be a field goal attempt, but with DeRamus as the holder, the lefty QB received the snap and fired a lazar to Mooney for the touchdown.

Oak Mountain took over the ball after the touchdown but fumbled on the drive and Dytereous Underwood recovered it for the Titans in Eagles territory. A few plays later with 2:43 left in the half, a David Webb 32-yard field goal gave Gadsden City a 10-0 lead.

It looked like Oak Mountain was going to run out the half, but another Eagles turnover with 1:59 left in the second quarter was a huge get for the Titans. Linebacker Jarvis McKee pounced on the ball and deep inside Oak Mountain territory and the Titans were on the move. With only :06 seconds left in the half, DeRamus threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mooney. There second touchdown connection of the first half. "They came out much better prepared than we were to start the game," said Eagles head coach Chris Bell. "This senior class had a remarkable season. Not many people believed in them when the season started."

In the second half with 6:31 left in the third quarter, DeRamus hit Gabe Ford with a 49-yard touchdown pass. It was DeRamus third TD pass in the game. With the Titans touchdown, Gadsden City lead 24-0. For the game, DeRamus completed 6-of-10 passing for 146 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Oak Mountain scored with 4:29 left in the third, when Harold Shader scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. A Warren Shader to Evan Benison 38-yard pass play setup the Eagles first touchdown of the game. With the Eagles forcing a Titans punt, Oak Mountain drove again and with 11:55 left in the game, Shader scored again on a 2-yard touchdown run his second of the game. With the TD, Oak Mountain cut the lead to 10 points at 24-14.

A Damon Williams long kickoff return down to the Eagles 34-yard line setup the Titans offense. With Williams getting the pitch left from DeRamus, the sophomore running back tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Mooney. With the score, the Titans go up 31-14 early in the fourth quarter.

With 7:56 left in the game, Oak Mountain came right back and scored on a 6-yard touchdown run by Daniel Salchert. But a couple plays later, Gadsden City answers back on a Ford 57-yard touchdown run. With 3:31 left in the game, Ford scored again on a 11-yard touchdown run. "We showed toughness, leadership and came through some adversity," said Titans RB Ford. "I'm so proud of our football team. Over the years, we have come out of the playoffs with first and second round losses and so we wanted to move on in the playoffs."

Oak Mountain scored late in the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by Salchert. Both teams scored four touchdowns apiece in the second half. Ford rushed for 150 yards on 15 carries & 2 TD's along with 73 yards on 3 catches & TD for the Titans. Warren Shader completed 12-of-23 passing for 165 yards with 85 yards on 12 carries for the Eagles.

For Gadsden City, the Titans will travel to the Hoover Met and play the Hoover Bucs for a semi-final matchup next Friday night.