Mortimer Jordan forfeits rivalry renewal with Gardendale due to COVID-19

Gardendale, AL – The Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils will forfeit their region contest at Gardendale due to positive COVID-19 results.  The game was set to renew a rivalry between the North Jefferson County squads that had been paused for nine seasons.  The series, which dates back to 1965, was placed back on the schedule when the Blue Devils were elevated from Class 5A to 6A Region 6 prior to the 2020 season. 

The last time the teams meet on the gridiron, in 2011, the Rockets came away with a 42-10 victory.  Gardendale currently holds a 27-7 all-time advantage over their neighbors to the north. 

The forfeit win improves the Rockets to 7-2 on the season, 3-2 in region play, and secures their spot as the third seed in region 6 heading into the post season.  After closing out the regular season next Friday night at 7A Florence (5-3, 4-2), the Rockets will travel to the looser of Friday night’s game between Oxford (7-1, 5-0) and Fort Payne (6-2, 5-0) in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs November 6th.  

Mortimer Jordan closes out 2020 at 1-9 including forfeit losses to Briarwood Christian, Pinson Valley and Gardendale.  The Devils claimed four consecutive 5A region titles from 2016 to 2019 before being elevated to class 6A.