In a crucial Class 6A, Region 6 contest, Gardendale struck last for a, 35-28, win at Walker on Friday night.

The go-ahead blow came from Steven Crowder from four yards out. He capped an eight-play drive by giving the Rockets a 35-28 edge with just over five minutes remaining. Crowder finished the evening with 53 yards rushing and three touchdowns off 14 attempts.

His first score, much like his last, came from four yards out to give the visitors a 7-3 lead in the opening quarter. Crowder later pushed two yards ahead for a 14-13 lead at the 3:40 mark of the second quarter.

Following the win, Gardendale now sits at 5-3 overall with a 2-2 mark in league play. The Rockets host Pinson Valley next Friday for another crucial Region 6 test.

Gardendale also got nice efforts from Omari Burton and Demetrius King, who combined for 143 yards rushing off 26 attempts. Burton went for 73 yards and King added another 70, including a 35-yard touchdown, giving his team a 28-20 advantage midway through the third quarter. The Rockets outran Walker 255 yards to 95.

Quarterback Michael Crowder’s one score of the night went 40 yards to Conner Howell for a 21-20 lead in the third. Howell finished with four receptions for 61 yards and the touchdown. Fellow wideout Kevin Howard pulled in three receptions for 35 yards.

Defensively, Steven Crowder went for 17 stops to go with Andrew Freeman’s 18.