Gardendale survived an uneven first half, before accelerating past Pelham to the tune of 61-12 in Friday night’s regular-season finale..

The Rockets lost four turnovers and surrendered a successful fake punt in the first half, but somehow managed not to give up any points on the way to a 21-0 halftime advantage.

But in the second half the Rockets held onto the ball and scored touchdowns on six of seven possessions, and were also able to go deep into the bench in order to rest many starters prior to beginning the Class 6A playoffs next week.

In the first half, Gardendale touchdowns came on a 2-yard run by Dequa Houston with 9:32 left in the first quarter, then from Tye Dunklin who scooted 18 yards with 3:06 left in the opening period.

Houston struck once again, this time from five yards out with 8:42 left in the first half.

Pelham’s closest attempt to score came when Jose Jimmenez Lopez was just short on a 49-yard field goal attempt midway through the second period.

In the third quarter, after forcing a quick three-and-out by the Panthers, Gardendale moved quickly to a 28-0 advantage as Houston finished his night with a 10-yard scoring romp. Moments later Michael Crowder joined the touchdown parade as he scored from the 3-yard line.

Pelham then mounted their best drive of the night by moving 80 yards in 13 snaps, capped by quarterback Griff Rivers’ 10-yard run around end for a touchdown. The long drive was kept alive when Lopez ran 21 yards from punt formation for a first down when Gardendale failed to rush anyone.

The final period saw touchdown runs from Omari Burton from one yard away, Douglas Moore from 10 yards, and Jacob Wright from six.

Nick Blackburn scored on a 3-yard touchdown run for the Panthers with 20 seconds left. Pelham then tried a pooch kickoff that was fielded by a front-line Rocket defender, who then pitched the football back to Wright; he turned the corner and ran 60 yards for the final Rocket score with four seconds left.

Gardendale racked up 492 yards of total offense for the evening while allowing 276 yards to the Panthers, most of that occurring in the second half.

Rocket defenders Caleb Cazola, Michael Crowder, Joey Jones, and John Michael Burrow hounded Pelham runners and receivers throughout the game.

Eight different runners carried the football for the Rockets. Houston finished the evening with 134 yards rushing on 17 attempts with three touchdowns. Moore had 81 yards on five rushes with one score.

Blake Zumbado caught two passes for 53 yards and Russell Cox snagged two passes for 43 yards.

Crowder completed 7-of-11 passing attempts for 134 yards, and Doudlas Moore also saw action at quarterback as regular starter Zach Cupps was given the night off to rest up for playoff duties.

The 61 points was the biggest total of the season for the Rockets, and the most since last season’s 73-point effort at Huffman.

Pelham ends their season with a 1-9 record.

The Rockets finish the regular season with an 8-2 overall mark, and are the second seed in the post-season from Region 6. They’ll host Hartselle next week in the first playoff round.