Trojans outmuscle Titans in season opener

The Muscle Shoals Trojans got off to a good start in the 2025 football season with a 24-6 win over Gadsden City at J.F. Moore stadium on Aug. 21.

This year’s matchup was the exact opposite of the 2024 meeting of the two teams, which saw MSHS fall 33-28 in a close, contested season opener.

This time, the Trojan defense allowed just one score late in the fourth quarter. The Titans struggled to get first downs and even cross midfield throughout the contest.

“They are a good team, but we put in enough work this week to be better than them,” said senior offensive lineman Will Dixon in a post-game interview by the Muscle Shoals radio crew.

Senior Ezra Fowler notched the first score of the new season for Muscle Shoals when he capped a 10-play, 58-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Jorge Garcia put the point after between the uprights, and the Trojans led 7-0 with 5:49 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Titans’ next possession was cut short early when Devin Smith made an interception at the Gadsden City 31-yard line.

“We practiced on it all week, and when I saw it coming, I attacked it,” Smith said after the game.

Though the Trojans had excellent field possession, it took a conversion on fourth and 1 to keep the drive going.

Muscle Shoals faced another fourth down at the 3-yard line after a bad snap the play before and were set to go for it, but an offside penalty made head coach Scott Basden elect for the field goal instead.

Garcia once again sailed the ball through the uprights for a 25-yard field goal, and the Trojans led 10-0.

MSHS would score once more before halftime when Fowler muscled in the ball from 6-yards out to cap a 7-play, 78-yard drive that was aided by a big pass from senior quarterback Kade Clemmons to senior receiver Jemarion Draper.

“I want to give credit to my teammates,” Fowler said after the game. “I couldn’t score without them blocking for me.”

After a scoreless third quarter, the Trojan defense came within inches of forcing a safety early in the fourth, but the Titan ball carrier was ruled to have just broken the goal line with the ball.

Gadsden City was forced to punt from its own end zone, and despite putting up a good kick, Muscle Shoals capitalized on the field position.

Clemmons would connect with junior receiver Davian Reynolds for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap an 8-play, 52-yard drive with just under six minutes left to play.

The Titans finally managed to get on the board and spoil the shutout attempt with a passing touchdown just 2:23 before the final whistle.

Gadsden City elected to kick the ball deep instead of attempting an onside kick, and Muscle Shoals needed only one first down and victory formation to seal the victory.

Le’shone Tapscott and Reynolds were workhorses in the backfield for Muscle Shoals in the contest.

Tapscott had 85 yards on 18 carries, and Reynolds had 69 yards on 19 carries and a receiving touchdown.

The Trojans, now 1-0, will cross the Tennessee River for the annual rivalry game against Florence at Braly Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Muscle Shoals won the contest 31-13 last season and leads the series 9-4 all-time.