Daily photo by Jonathan Palmer Decatur defenders Robert Key, left, and Dewan Troupe (40) close in on Gardendale’s Roscoe Ragland during first-half action of the Red Raiders’ 20-3 win in Ogle Stadium on Friday night.

Balance weapons have Decatur rolling

Whether credit goes to Decatur High’s offense or defense for Friday’s convincing 20-3 win over Gardendale in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs, it matters little to the Red Raiders.

They are still winning, and that is what counts.

In fact, the balanced effort and progression on both sides of the ball have been a theme all season. They are the reason for Decatur’s success in building a 10-game win streak.

“Early in practice this year, the defense was really handing us our hats — just wearing us out,” said Decatur head coach Jere Adcock, who is also the quarterbacks coach.

“Things have gotten progressively better.”

Decatur’s offensive totals have stair-stepped upward all season. After averaging 25.8 points in their first five games, the Red Raiders averaged 34.6 in the second half of the regular season.

Meanwhile, Decatur’s defense has been shrinking the opposition’s output. The Red Raiders gave up 17.6 points a game through the fifth week of the season, before posting their first shutout en route to an allowance of just 11.4 in the second half. Decatur has not allowed any team more than 14 points since a 24-23 win over Russellville on Oct. 12, and Friday’s effort was much the same.

Decatur defense gave up only a field goal to Gardendale, which averaged 28.6 points a game in the regular season and posted 28 and 31 points the previous two weeks.

The Red Raiders’ offense, led by sophomore quarterback Ben Neill, picked apart the Gardendale defense, putting up two touchdowns and a pair of field goals on a Rockets unit that had surrendered 15.8 points a game this season, including two shutouts.

Still, junior running back Chris Coffey, who scored both touchdowns for Decatur on runs of 17 and 3 yards, said it was a good night, but “I didn’t think it was the best. I can always do more.”

Senior defensive end Dewan Troupe spoke for the defense Friday night, saying, “I think we did all right — not the best, but all right.”

Adcock had to smile as he listened in. It’s the kind of attitude that has kept the Red Raiders winning each week.

“You see your teammates playing well and you kind of say, ‘Hey, now I’ve got a little more room to work with right here,’ ” Adcock said. “That’s been of major importance for us.”

Decatur (10-1) will host Benjamin Russell (9-2) on Friday in the second round.

Hartselle proves itself in heartbreaker: Cast as the underdog and facing area rival Cullman for the second time this season, the Hartselle Tigers lost a tight one Friday night.

Playing in the first round of the 5A playoffs, Hartselle forced Cullman to rally in the final minutes as the Bearcats won 42-41.

Up at halftime and leading by as much as 14 points in the fourth quarter, Hartselle played undefeated Cullman closer than any team has all season. Despite the defeat, Hartselle proved head coach Bob Godsey’s call that his team was not the same squad as it was midseason.

Hartselle more than doubled its point total from the first meeting with the Bearcats on Sept. 28, when the Tigers lost 45-20.

Senior Montrell Murphy bolstered the Tigers’ output with a season-high four touchdowns and 122 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Hartselle seniors finished their careers with 21 wins since their sophomore season, posting wins over all of their major rivals — Decatur, Austin, Athens and Cullman — during their time as varsity players.

East Limestone stays strong: East Limestone shook off nagging injuries that have hampered the Indians late in the season for its usual outstanding offensive performance in a 38-22 win at Tarrant to advance in the 4A playoffs.

After sitting out a loss to West Morgan in the last regular-season game of the year, senior quarterback Chad Dewitt rushed for a 26-yard touchdown before throwing a 65-yard touchdown strike to Sam Chaney for a 14-0 lead and East Limestone never trailed in the contest.

Jonathan Pinque, Raece Flynt and Blake Long each rushed for a touchdown, adding to the Indians’ advantage.

The Indians (8-3) had to hit the road in the first round after dropping region games to North Jackson and Madison County in the regular season, but are now rewarded with a home game Friday, hosting Deshler (9-2) in the second round.

Speake wins big to advance: The Speake Bobcats were on the winning end of a string of blowouts in the first round of the 1A playoffs. Speake’s 56-6 win over Donoho ranked among the highest margins of victory in 1A.

Sweetwater beat Providence Christian 68-7, while Wadley beat J.U. Blacksher 54-0 and Maplesville beat Fruitdale 73-21.

Speake (10-1) will travel to Sulligent (10-1) on Friday in the second round.

Tanner avenges postseason loss: The Tanner Rattlers avenged last year’s season-ending loss to Lineville with a 20-7 road win on Friday night in the opening round of the 2A playoffs.

Lineville ended Tanner’s season in the second round last year 26-7 as Lineville marched to the semifinals.

Tanner (7-4) will host undefeated Fyffe (11-0) in the second round.