Oct. 3—HARTSELLE — Hartselle head coach Bert Newton said the real season began for his team this week, and Thursday night the Tigers passed their first test with flying colors.
Hartselle kicked off a crucial four-game region stretch Thursday with a dominating win over rival Cullman 24-0.
“Offensively we took care of business and defensively we just played lights out,” Newton said. “Our guys did everything right, but we have to continue to get better because our next three games are only going to get harder and harder.”
Hartselle opened the game with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by 12-yard touchdown pass from Carter Lee to Jayden Morris.
After a fumble at the goal line cost the Tigers a second touchdown in the second quarter, they kicked it into gear in the second half, scoring touchdowns on a 15-yard run from Jaheim Pruitt and a 50-yard pass from Lee to Cain Falciani. Michael Sumners added a 24-yard field goal.
Hartselle welcomed back Falciani this week after two weeks on the injury list, and the star receiver showed out. The senior finished with eight catches for 121 yards and a score.
“I’ve been waiting three weeks for this. I knew I was coming back for this game,” Falciani said. “I told coach (Newton) I would play this game with a broken arm if I had to.”
Lee was 15-for-25 passing Thursday night for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Jaheim Pruitt rushed 13 times for 63 yards and a score, while Jayden Morris added 12 rushes for 62 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Hartselle’s defense, which came in allowing just five points per game, continued its suffocating play. The Tigers allowed just 132 total yards on the night.
“We prepared well and everybody knew what they were doing,” senior Cole Miles. “You can’t do better than zero.”
Miles had an interception during the game, pushing the defense’s total turnovers to 19 on the year.
“Taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to us is what we’re good at,” Miles said. “I was fortunate he threw the ball right to me. Hopefully some more teams will do the same thing.”
Hartselle (6-0) Will continue region play next week on the road at Athens.
— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2
