Gardendale downs 7A Florence 27-14

Gardendale, AL – The Gardendale Rockets held the 7A Florence Falcons to 163 yards of total offense to close out their regular season with a 27-14 win Thursday night at Driver Stadium.

The Gardendale rushing attack overwhelmed the Falcons rolling up 320 yards on the night.  Standout running back L.T. Sanders turned in another impressive performance carrying the ball 32 times for 161 yards and a score while quarterback Tyler Nelson ran for 152 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown on the ground. 

Click here to check out the full Thursday night Alabama high school football scoreboard.  

Sanders lit up the Driver Stadium scoreboard with just under three minutes remaining in the first period, slashing into the endzone from inside the Falcon five yard line.  In the second quarter, Logan Fitzgerald hauled in a 22 yard touchdown toss to put the Rockets up 14-7 at the half. 

After the break, Jacorey Craig returned the opening kick 70 yards for a score extending the Gardendale lead to 21-7 with just under two quarters to play. 

Nelson put the game on ice on the first play of the fourth quarter bolting for a 70 yard score. 

The Rockets, who closed out the regular season at 7-2, will travel to Region 8 champion Hartselle (10-0) to open the 6A postseason next Friday night.  The road ahead for Florence (5-5) doesn’t get any easier, they will face the powerhouse Thompson Warriors in the first round of the 7A playoffs.