Eric Firestone’s defense was good on Friday night.

Check that: It was better than good, it was great as Gardendale (4-2, 2-1 Class 6A, Region 6) bounced back from a disappointing loss last week to beat Hazel Green (2-4) 16-0 on homecoming night.

Firestone, in his sixth game as the Rockets’ defensive coordinator, held Hazel Green to 137 yards of offense. The Trojans ran for 84 yards on 30 carries and went 3 for 19 through the air for another 53 yards in the non-region loss.

Friday night’s result represents the first shutout of the Chad Eads era, and the first Maroon and White shutout since Sept. 2, 2016, when Gardendale beat Pell City 36-0 in Driver Stadium.

The offensive numbers weren’t as pretty as they were two years ago, but junior quarterback Goose Crowder did just enough to get the win, despite having two key pieces of his offense (junior tight end Bailey Parsons and senior running back Jacob Wright) on the sideline.

Crowder led two touchdown drives, caping both with long scoring strikes to two different receivers. First, he aired out a 23-yard touchdown to Owen Cupps down the right side to claim a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. That drive was fueled by a 30-yard pitch and catch from Crowder to running back Jay Brooks on third-and-8. Crowder went to Cupps four plays later.

Crowder’s second score went to homecoming king Colt Belcher in the third quarter. He found the senior wide open down the seam on fourth-and-5 for a 30-yard touchdown strike. Crowder finished 17 for 27 for 249 yards passing and two scores. He added another 62 yards rushing.

Cupps caught five of those passes for 45 yards, including the 23-yard touchdown. Chris Boone pulled down three receptions for 76 yards.

Junior kicker Landon Erbrick rounded out the scoring with a 24-yarder midway through the fourth. He also went 1 for 2 on extra point opportunities.

Hazel Green’s best opportunity came in the fourth quarter, when the Trojans came up a little short on a 49-yard field goal attempt. Gardendale ran out the remaining time (a little over 5:00) with a ten-play drive, which included six runs from Jay Brooks, who went for 105 offensive yards in the win.

Junior defensive back Justin Parks grabbed an interception and linebacker Cole Dodson recovered a fumble for the Rockets.

Gardendale visits second-ranked Pinson Valley next Friday.