Gardendale receiver Reagan Padgett, at right, catches the game-clinching touchdown pass over the outstretched hands of Minor defender Cornell Richardson, in the Rockets' 27-19 comeback win over the Tenacious Tigers.

Webster’s dictionary defines adversity as “a difficult situation or condition.”

Gardendale stared adversity directly in the face on several occasions Friday, before rallying for a hard-fought 27-19 victory over Minor.

Early in the game, the Rockets did not handle adversity well as a punt and a fumble gave the Tenacious Tigers possessions that began in Gardendale territory; they marched on both occasions for two quick touchdowns.

Quarterback Dreq Prichett tossed scoring passes of 20 yards to DeAndre Charleston, on a fourth-and-12 from the Rocket 20, and then for 34 yards to Delonte Evans with 6:13 left in the first quarter.

The Rockets then mounted a four-minute drive that stalled at the Minor 3-yard line. On fourth down, Seth Reburn kicked a 21 yard field goal to narrow the Tiger lead to 13-3.

Adversity reared its head again on the next Tiger drive, which went down to the Rocket 10 yard line. But this time the Gardendale defense rose to the challenge as Joshua Hubbard intercepted Prichett’s pass in the flat, after it bounced off his receiver’s shoulder pad.

Hubbard nearly went the distance for a Rocket touchdown, before being run down after an 88-yard return to the Minor 7. A holding penalty stopped the Rocket offense, though, and Reburn came on again to hit a 24-yard field goal, cutting the Tiger advantage to 13-6 with 8:12 left in the first half.

Later, Rocket quarterback Zach Cupps tossed an interception that set up another Minor touchdown just before halftime. Facing a fourth down and seven from the Rocket 9-yard line with 1:35 left until the break, Prichett found Jaylond Adams all alone on the sideline; Adams then scooted into the end zone. The extra point attempt was no good, but Minor took a 19-6 lead to the locker room.

The Rockets were outgained 213 yards to 59 in the first half and committed two turnovers — and may have been fortunate to only trail by 13 at intermission.

On the Rockets second possession of the second half, they marched 79 yards in 13 plays to paydirt. Peyton Erwin caught a Cupps toss from eight yards away with 4:40 left in the third period.

More adversity then faced the Rockets as the Tigers quickly moved to the Gardendale 25 and threatened to widen their lead. But once again, the Rocket defense got the big play when Jake Stewart snagged an interception and returned it 30 yards to the Rocket 48-yard line.

It took Cupps and the Rocket offense eight plays to take the lead. He rolled left to pass, but finding no one open, Cupps pulled the ball down and tight-roped the sideline or a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter.

Reburn’s point after gave the Rockets their first lead of the night at 20-19.

Moments later, after a short Minor punt put the Rockets in business at the Tiger 37, Cupps found Reagan Padgett in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, over the outstretched hands of Tiger defender Cornell Richardson. That score came with 10:29 to go.

Even with a vocal Gardendale contingent of fans roaring their approval, and momentum definitely in favor of the white-clad warriors, Minor would not go away easily. The Tigers roared down the field again, reaching the Rocket 10-yard line. But with that dreaded adversity bearing down, once again Gardendale responded with a big play to seal the deal as Alex McGinty intercepted Prichett’s pass at the Rocket 5 to end the threat.

Minor would get one more shot inside the Gardendale 20-yard line, but a sack of Pritchett by defender John Michael Burrow set up an incomplete pass by Prichett on fourth and long at the Gardendale 30.

The Rocket offense then held onto the ball for the final 3:22 to secure the win.

The Tigers outgained Gardendale by 378 yards to 247, but most of that was in the first half.

Cupps finished with a 9-of-13 passing performance for 68 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Prichett was 20-of-39 for 254 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions for Minor.

The Gardendale ground game of Dequa Houston, Tye Dunklin, and Cupps combined for 179 yards on 44 rushes.

Adams gained 60 yards on 16 carries plus 72 more yards on seven pass receptions for the Tigers.

Andrew Freeman led the Gardendale defense with eight solo tackles and seven assists. Steven Crowder added nine solos and two assists.

The Rockets move to 4-1 for the season, and return to region play next week at Shades Valley.