TRUSSVILLE, Alabama -- The Oak Mountain Eagles used a balance attack to defeat Hewitt-Trussville 45-38 in a Class 7A, Region 3 game at Jack Wood Stadium. The Eagles used some big plays in the air and on the ground that was the difference in this game.
Oak Mountain (5-1, 3-1) had a whopping 478 yards of offense. The Eagles had 181 in the air and 301 on the ground tonight. "Very proud of our offense tonight, our quarterback continues to do a good job for us," said Eagles head coach Chris Bell. "We took what the defense gave us. They took the run away from us early in the game and we were able this hit a couple passes which is huge. We can't be one dimensional, you have to do both and it was good to see us hit them early. It started to loosen up the defense."
The combination of quarterback Warren Shader and the running of Harold Shader paid off for the Eagles tonight. The two brothers have some friendly conversations about running and throwing the football at night watching film together. "We were complete on running and throwing the football tonight, that was the difference," said Eagles running back Shader. "It's a conversation I have with number three (Warren) at night when we are watching film together in our room. Throw it to me, throw it to anybody."
The big brother Harold knows the key for this offense is to find a little balance but the head coach has the wisdom for the Eagles offense. "The game is slowing down for Warren at quarterback," added Bell. "The big thing that he has to do is take what the defense gives us. If he can be a little patient at times and not be to creative, where going to be ok."
Hewitt-Trussville (3-3, 1-3) opened the scoring Jarett Nelson took the ball on a reverse and found Dalton Meadows behind the defense for a 71-yard touchdown play, the first play of the game for the Huskies offense. Oak Mountain cut the lead on a David Garver 23-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.
After a Huskies fumble, the Eagles took the lead when Harold Shader scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and then the Huskies tied the score at 10-10 when Thomas McGettigan hit a 38-yard field goal to end the first quarter scoring.
Oak Mountain took the lead on a Warren Shader 38-yard touchdown pass to Even Benison. With 7:55 left in the half, Hewitt-Trussville tied the score on a Zac Thomas 5-yard touchdown run.
Oak Mountain took a 31-17 halftime lead, when they scored two touchdowns late in the second quarter. The first one on a Warren Shader hit Reid Golson on a 35-yard touchdown play and then Warren Shader scored on a one-yard touchdown run. "We executed well, we did the little things that made the difference," said Eagles QB Warren Shader. "Were a strong team and I'm standing 100 percent with my team. We just have to keep getting what the defense gives us and keep executing at a high level."
Oak Mountain came out of the locker room and continued with a big offensive play. Running back Daniel Salchert scored on 43-yard touchdown run. With that score, Oak Mountain led 38-17 midway through the third quarter.
Hewitt-Trussville did not give up though down by three touchdowns. With 4:44 left in the third, Thomas hit Grayson Cash on a 4th down play of a 2-yard touchdown play. The Eagles led 38-24.
Oak Mountain scored again with 11:13 in the game, when Harold Shader scored on a 3-yard touchdown. That gave the Eagles a big 45-24 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Hewitt-Trussville scored the last two touchdowns of the game but ran out of time in the end. Jarrion Street went for a 30-yard touchdown run and 1:03 left in the game, Thomas hit a wide open Street on a 6-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to a single touchdown.
For the game for Oak Mountain, Warren Shader completed 10-of-12 passing for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Harold Shader rushed for 137 yards on 26 carries while Salchert had 106 yards on 16 carries.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Thomas completed 17-of-23 passing for 245 yards and rushed for 90 yards on 18 carries in the game.
Up next for the two teams, Oak Mountain will host Mountain Brook while Hewitt-Trussville will travel to Thompson in Region 3 play.
