Hartselle downs Huntsille in jamboree
A.J. Owens runs for a touchdown against Huntsville Friday night. | Brent Maze
Despite not scoring in the first half, Hartselle defeated Huntsville 14-7 in its jamboree game Friday night at J.P. Cain Stadium.
The first teams for both teams played in the first half while backups saw extended playing time in the second half.
Head coach Bob Godsey said his team improved from their scrimmage at the end of the second week to Friday’s jamboree game, but he also felt like his team still needs to improve before the season opener at Athens.
“I feel like we left a lot of plays out there on offense, defense and special teams,” Godsey said.” “We had a chance to score right there at the end of the half, but we botched a field goal twice, but I didn’t see anything that we can’t correct out there,”
Godsey also said he same improvement in starting quarterback Deacon Aldridge through the first half. Although he had just 33 yards passing, the junior quarterback led his team gave his team a chance to score at the end of the first half.
“I thought he really improved through the first half,” Godsey said. “He gave us a chance late in the half.”
While the starters were in the game, neither team had much offense. Late in the first quarter, Huntsville took advantage of good field position and drove 59 yards and in 10 plays to score a touchdown.
Hartselle’s only scoring threat came with less than a minute to go. The Tigers drove 41 yards to the 14-yard line in 36 seconds to set up a last-second field goal.
However, the 30-yard attempt was missed. The Tigers caught a break when Huntsville was flagged for roughing the kicker, but the 24-yard kick was blocked.
The half ended with Huntsville leading 7-0.
When the starters were in, Hartselle limited Huntsville to just 92 yards of offense. Godsey was pleased with that performance.
“They were just out there too many plays,” Godsey said.
In the second half, Hartselle’s backups outplayed Huntsville’s backups. The Tigers opened the second half with an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped off by A.J. Owens’ 10-yard touchdown run.
On the next drive, it took the Tigers just one play to take the lead. Third-string quarterback Tyler Phillips scored a touchdown on a 44-yard keeper. Tate Mathis tacked on both second half extra point kicks.
