Gardendale’s Connoe Reed opened the game in style with this return of the opening kickoff for 68 yards. That dash set up a touchdown by Jordan Howard, as the Rockets slammed Carver.

Sometimes there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned whuppin’ to do a team some good.

Especially if they are administering the whuppin’.

That was Gardendale’s role Friday night, as they cruised to an easy 47-16 win at Carver, their second victory in succession.

The Rockets (2-1, 2-0 region) were simply too big, too numerous, too fast, and much better disciplined than the Rams. For the first time in this young season, the team excelled in all aspects of the game: offense, defense and (particularly) special teams.

“We’re not good enough to take anybody lightly,” Gardendale coach Chris Fancher said. “But this was the most complete game we’ve played all year, especially in the first half. It was a good wim, and we needed it.”

The Rockets wasted no time, taking the opening kickoff down to the Rams 20-yard line thanks to a 68-yard return by Connor Reed.

Running back Jordan Howard took over from there, with three straight rushes (plus one nullified by a penalty) that were finished off by a one-yard charge up the middle for the touchdown, with just over two minutes played.

The Rockets scored again on a 15-yard keeper by quarterback Will Thompson five minutes later, after Howard and Christian Rogers pounded the ball downfield with impunity.

The Rockets’s defense then kicked into gear, when outside linebacker Trent Englan scooped up a Carver fumble — one of five by the Rams for the night — and ran 30 yards for a touchdown.

The defensive unit struck again early in the second quarter, when Brandon DeBurce picked off a Harold Franklin pass on the Rockets’ goal line, squelching Carver’s first real threat of the game. DeBurce returned the pick 23 yards, staring a drive that ended when Howard scored untouched on a 30-yard romp.

The Rockets pooched the ensuing kickoff, and in a bit of confusion by both sides, came up with the ball.

On the very next play, Reed found Leroy Stover on a misdirection halfback pass that was good for a 25-yard touchdown.

It was all Rockets from that point, as much of the second and third teams saw siginificant playing time. Freshman runrunning back Juan Jackson got a piece of the action in the fourth quarter, when he ran on four straight plays and finished with a 49-yard twisting dash through the Rams secondary for Gardendale’s final score.

Lots of playing time to go around and lots of effort by defense and special teams meant some odd stats for the offense, but Howard topped the rushing leaders with 125 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.

DeBruce was the leading tackler with nine tackles plus the interception. Brian Parker also picked off a Carver pass late and ran it back for an apparent touchdown, only to be brought back on a penalty.

Gardendale (2-1, 2-0) goes to Minor next week, and Fancher made it clear that playtime is over.

“We’re done with the pre-season now. Everything starts all over next Monday.”