By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter • amy@southerntorch.com

STEVENSON Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the North Jackson Chiefs 45-13 on Friday.

In the first quarter with 6:30 remaining J.D. Blalock connected with Cam Thomas for a 20-yard pass to give the Wildcats the 7-0 lead. Blalock scored on a quarterback keeper,  to make the  score 14-0 with 3:11 left in the first quarter. The North Jackson Chiefs fumbled the ball and Kaden Dubose ran up the middle for a Wildcat touchdown making the score 21-0 with :59 remaining in the first.

In the second quarter, Alex Akins scored on a big run to give the Wildcats the 28-0 advantage over the Chiefs with 10:01 left in the first half.

In the third quarter with 10:34 remaining,  Akins ran up the middle for a touchdown making the score 35-0.  Balock connected with Sawyer Burt for a touchdown making the score 41-0 with 1:45 remaining in the third quarter. North Jackon scored their first touchdown of the night with :19 remaining in the third to make the score 41-7.

In the fourth quarter Fort Payne fumbled the ball with North Jackson recovering it, for a 95 yard touchdown, making the final score 41-13.

“It was a great team win as we played well on Offense, Defense and special teams,” stated Head Football Coach Chris Elmore. “We were able to play a lot of young players in the 4th quarter and get them some available varsity experience. We are very proud of our team for their performance this season and we look forward to competing in the playoffs." 

The Fort Payne Wildcats will host the Gardendale Rockets  for the first round of the AHSAA State Playoffs on Friday.