By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



After meeting Chilton County in a 6A versus 5A match up last week, the Gardendale Rockets return to region play this week when they travel to face the speedy and athletic Thompson Warriors, Friday.

“They’re a real good football team,” Gardendale head coach Chris Fancher said. “They’re very talented. They are by far the most athletic team we’ve faced this year.”

One of the Warriors top players is running back Sideeq Cooper, who has scored four of the Warriors six touchdowns this season.

Cooper gained 241 total yards and scored three times in the Warrior’s 27-20 win over Spain Park two weeks ago.

Last week, the Warriors (2-2 overall, 1-2 region) offense was stymied by Hoover in a 36-0 loss.

The Warriors offense features some spread looks, as well as I-formation and option series.

On defense, the Warriors blitz more than any Rocket opponent to date.

“They blitz a whole lot on defense,” Fancher said. “They try to confuse you with their schemes. They’re a very tough, solid team that’s well-coached.”

Fancher hopes as many Rocket fans will make the 45-minute trip to Shelby County as made the trek to Hoover for the opening game of the year. Fancher called the Rocket’s fan support at Hoover, “simply an incredible crowd.”

“I’d like to challenge the community to continue to support these boys as well as they did at Hoover, because these kids deserve it,” he said. “I hope to see plenty of Gardendale folks there, dressed in maroon and being as loud as possible. I want people all over the state to be able to talk about the Gardendale fan support with envy.”

The Rockets are coming off two straight victories and can even their Region 6 record at 2-2, with a victory over the Warriors.

“We’ve played much better the past two weeks,” Fancher added. “We’ve got so many young guys in the program, but they’re starting to feel that they’re in their element.”