ADAMSVILLE, Alabama -- Tyler Nelson rushed for three touchdowns to lead #7 Gardendale to a 34-14 win over Minor in a Class 6A, Region 5 game at Minor Stadium on Friday night. Nelson made three explosive runs for scores, and the Rocket's defense grounded the Tiger's passing game for much of the game as Gardendale came away with the significant region win.
Nelson was the most dynamic offensive player on the field, showing Friday night. "On offense, I would like to see us drive the ball, but when you have a guy like Tyler Nelson who can take a bad play and watch him turn it into a touchdown, that is something special," said Rockets head coach Chad Eads. "As an offensive line coach, I would like to see a methodical drive, but I appreciate him as he is our best player, the most athletic guy, a very hard worker, and shows up every Friday night."
Gardendale (5-2, 4-0) scored first in the game. With 6:46 left in the first quarter, Nelson took the ball up the middle and scored on a 60-yard touchdown run. Nelson had another gear as he busted through the line and had little contact coming up the middle for the score. Lineman Aiden Bulloch and tight end Maddox Padgett opened the massive hole for Nelson to score on the play. "All 11 guys help me score," said Rockets QB Nelson. "This is a huge win for us on the road. We can now play for a region championship that hasn't happened in a long time here at Gardendale."
Minor (4-3, 2-2) responded right before halftime as wide receiver Darrian Jackson made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch from quarterback Kareem Keye that set up the Tiger's first score. Running back Javarrie Allen broke off a 9-yard run down to the one-yard line. With only 1:23 left in the second quarter, Keye scored on a fourth down play up the middle for a Tigers touchdown. The extra point was missed, and Gardendale still led 7-6 late in the first half.
Gardendale wasn't finished scoring as they drove down the field, and as time expired in the first half, Kye Norris kicked a 34-yard field goal, and the Rockets took a 10-6 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Gardendale struck first. Nelson looked to break it up the middle, but it was bottled up; he broke the run outside and scored on a 22-yard touchdown run. The Rockets led 17-6 midway through the third quarter with the score. With 3:49 left in the third quarter, Nelson scored for his third time on a 21-yard touchdown run, and the Rockets led 24-6 late in the third quarter.
With 11:26 left in the fourth quarter, Keye to Jackson scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass play for the Tigers. Kelton Owens runs in the two-point conversion, and Minor cut the Rocket's lead to 24-14 early in the fourth quarter. The Rockets, though, respond right back for a score. With 7:28 left in the game, Bryan Gilmore scored on a 7-yard touchdown run, and Gardendale led 31-14 late in the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, running back Kedrick Storey broke off a big run deep into Tiger's territory. With 3:31 left in the game, Norris kicked a 24-yard field goal as the Rockets led 34-14 late.
Keye had a big game against Mortimer Jordan last week, but the Tiger's offense only connected a couple of times on long passes. "I saw some fight; when we play discipline ball, we are pretty good on defense," said Tigers head coach Adrian Abrams. "We need to shore up some things on special teams and will get ready for next week."
Next, Gardendale will host Woodlawn, while Minor will host Parker in a critical region game.
