Demetrius King went for three touchdowns to lead eighth-ranked Gardendale to a 36-0 home win over Pell City.

King scored the first three touchdowns of the contest (a 27-yard reception from quarterback Michael Crowder, a 5-yard scamper and 57-yard sprint) to secure a 21-0 halftime lead. King ended the game with 109 yards rushing on 11 calls.

In the fourth quarter it was fellow running back Omari Burton that ran in from 4 yards out to increase the lead to 29-0 with 8:09 remaining. Crowder then flung his second touchdown of the night, this one a 69-yarder to freshman Dezalen Worsham to finish things at 36-0.

Defensively, the Rockets (3-0) continued their stingy ways. They forced 11 negative plays, including six quarterback sacks, for 45 yards of negative Pell City offense. Andrew Freeman totaled 13 tackles while Steven Crowder grabbed 12 stops for Gardendale.

The Panthers totaled only 147 yards of offense while the home team went for 360. Gardendale also rolled up 19 first downs to Pell City’s 12.

Class 6A, Region 6 play starts for Gardendale next week. Head coach Matt Plunkett and the Rockets welcome Carver (Birmingham) to Driver Stadium on Friday night.