By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter • amy@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE Ala. — In the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoffs, the Gardendale Rockets defeated the Fort Payne Wildcats 52-24. 

Gardendale won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. With 10:51 left in the first quarter, the Rockets scored on a 52-yard touchdown pass to give them the early 7-0 lead. 

In the second quarter Alex McPherson nailed a 41-yard field goal making the score 7-3 with 8:25 remaining in the first half. Gardendale hit a 36-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-3 with 4:54 left in the second quarter. Gardendale went on to score two more touchdowns to make the score 24-3 at half time.

J.D. Blalock connected with Sawyer Burt for the touchdown making the score 24-10 with 11:26 remaining in the third quarter. Gardendale answered back with a 15-yard touchdown to make the score 31-10 with 4:01 left in the third. Blalock scored from 2-yards out to make the score 31-17 with .10 left to play in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Gardendale scored three more touchdowns to make the score 52-17 with 6:57 left in the game. Blalock scored with a 29-yard touchdown run to make the final score 52-24.

“We are very proud of our players for a great season under unusual circumstances," said Head Coach Chris Elmore.