Blake Slayton falls forward for a touchdown against East Limestone. | Brent Maze

The No. 9 Hartselle Tigers throttled the East Limestone Indians 47-7 Friday night at J.P. Cain Stadium on homecoming.

The Tigers scored early and often, taking a 19-0 lead thanks to a pair of efficient drives to open the game. After Jaylan Jackson intercepted a pass on the Indians’ first possession, Blake Slayton scored his first touchdown of the night, taking an option pitch from Deacon Aldridge 19 yards for a touchdown just two and half minutes into the game.

Masio Stover got in on the action with an 11-yard touchdown of his own to give Hartselle a 13-0 lead after a Jack Waterman extra point. The play was set up by a long punt return by Garrett Fowler, who received a huge block from Tyler Phillips to spring the return.

Thomas Fleischman, wearing the No. 25 in honor of his father, scored his first career touchdown on a 54-yard fumble return, making it 19-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Aldridge then threw his only touchdown of the night to Zane Hamlett, his third touchdown of the season, on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Waterman’s extra point extended the lead to 26-0.

Sidney Steele turns the corner to score a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter. | Brent Maze

Sidney Steele, who was also honoring his father by wearing the No. 82, then added a 10-yard touchdown to make it 33-0 at halftime.

D’Andre Mack wrapped up the scoring on touchdown runs of 56 and 48 to become the leading rusher of the night. He finished with 125 yards on seven carries.