Year 1 is in the books for Chad Eads as the head football coach in Gardendale.

His Rockets capped off their season on Friday nigh in Driver Stadium, falling by a count of 14-0 to tenth-ranked Homewood in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

“There’s something to build on here,” said Eads after the game. “I want these kids to love being on this team, and I think that’s how you win in high school football: having kids that love each other and will do anything to help each other be successful and that’s what we’re working toward.”

There appears to be a lot to build on defensively, as the Rockets (6-6) pitched a second-half shutout, allowing Homewood a total of 164 offensive yards on the night. In six second-half possessions, the Patriots (10-2) punted five times, including three different three-and-out drives.

However, it was a short-field that helped the visitors early on. Homewood took advantage of some beautiful real estate in the first half, punching in two short touchdown drives for a 14-0 advantage.

Quarterback Larkin Williams started it off with a 1-yard sneak into the end zone, punctuating a drive which was aided by two third down conversions.

On the ensuing drive, Homewood stuffed a fake punt attempt at the Gardendale 35, and Larkin feathered a beautiful 35-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Williams on the next snap. Homewood led 14-0 with 7:28 remaining in the second quarter.

That would be enough for a Patriots win.

Gardendale’s best scoring opportunity came at the start of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Goose Crowder commandeered an 11-play drive down inside the Homewood 5, but a Crawford Doyle interception turned him down in the end zone.

That’s as close as the Rockets would get to the scoreboard.

Crowder provided most of the offensive life, going 24 of 35 through the air for 190 yards. He found senior Owen Cupps nine times for 78 yards. Junior Bailey Parsons caught five passes for 33 yards and senior Colt Belcher pulled down four receptions for 20 yards.

Homewood will host No. 1 Pinson Valley next week in the quarterfinals.