Sparkman pounds Gadsden City to start road swing

GADSDEN – The rebound continues.

Sparkman, edged in its season-opener by the team ranked No. 5 in Class 6A, gave up a touchdown to Gadsden City on the Titans’ first play from scrimmage but dominated the rest of the way to take a 42-14 win.

The Senators (2-1 overall, 1-0 in region), who lost to Spain Park in Week 0 and defeated Austin 38-21 the following week, won the first of what will be four straight road games in the 6A, Region 4 season opener for both teams.

Gadsden City fell 1-2, 0-1.

“We don’t take (region wins) for granted,” Sparkman head coach Ronnie Watson said. “Especially in this region, you know, how everything always comes down. So, we’ll enjoy this one through (Saturday) and come together on Sunday and get ready for Hazel Green.”

Sparkman visits Hazel Green (0-3, 0-1) this week in another region clash, followed by games at Huntsville and Mae Jemison.

Titans quarterback and Auburn commitment Sam Sollie threw a touchdown pass to start the game, one Sparkman head coach Ronnie Watson said “should’ve been a one-yard gain’’ but went the distance because of missed tackles.

Sparkman took over from there, scoring on six of its first seven possessions and finished the game averaging 7.4 yards per play on 39 rushes for 309 yards and five TDs and 11-of-15 passing for 93 yards with one TD. Two of the incompletions were thrown away.

The offensive state sheet:

* Senior Waylon Marbury–14 carries for 90 yards and three TDs

* Senior Braylon Lawson–12 carries for 80 yards and two TDs

* Senior Josh Naylon–3of-4 passing for 40 yards, six targets as a WR and five catches for 51 yards, six rushes for 114 yards and a TD

* Sophomore Daniel Maxtion–8-of-11 passing for 53 yards

Meanwhile, Sollie finished 14-of-22 for 178 yards, threw his first interception of the season and added another TD pass in the second half. He faced enormous pressure as the Senators recorded 18 hurries. The Titans rushed for just 39 yards.

“The whole defensive staff put a great gameplan together,’’ Watson said. “Coach (Ethan) Casselberry, Coach (Dylan) Livingston did a great job throughout the week planning what we needed to go over and just made sure that our DBs played within themselves.’’

The defensive stat sheet:

* Sophomore Karsen White–nine tackles with a sack

* Senior Braylon Caudle–caused fumble

* Senior Jair Haynes–fumble recovery

* Junior Israel Orr–an interception

Now comes Hazel Green, which employs a variety of looks and plays up to three quarterbacks including 8th-grader Saban Tipton.

“You’ve got to be ready for the trick play,” Watson said. “They’re big and physical up front.”