THE STREAK ENDS
“(Decatur) didn’t execute anything out there,” Godsey said. “They scored on busted plays.”
Hartselle doesn’t have much time to correct those mistakes as they will face No. 2 Muscle Shoals, who defeated Dora 39-6 Friday night. The Trojans have only given up nine points – one touchdown and one field goal – this season.
The loss comes despite a great effort from Deacon Aldridge, who finished 22-for-30 for 202 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He also finished with 22 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Sidney Steele had seven receptions for 96 yards while Blake Slayton had 76 yards rushing on 12 carries with 19 yards receiving.
Aldridge’s 1-yard rushing touchdown capped a 15-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 7:50. Hunter Hammack added the extra point to make it 7-0.
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However, that’s when Decatur’s Hayes took the kickoff at his own 18-yard line and raced to the end zone untouched. McKelvy Douthit knotted the game with his extra point.
Hartselle then drove 71 yards on their next drive. Aldridge threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Zane Hamlett to take a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Decatur put together a good drive of its own late in the first half, using a controlled passing game and the wildcat featuring Priceville transfer Harold Blades. Williams capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game at 14-14 with 2:40 left in the second quarter.
Neither team could do much until early in the fourth quarter. Hartselle drove to the Decatur 20-yard line and faced a fourth down. The Tigers elected to try a 37-yard field goal, but the Red Raiders blocked the kick and returned it to the Decatur 39.