Story & Photos by Amy Thrash, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the Albertville Aggies in region play on Friday night, 20-13. 

The Aggies were the first to put points on the board with a 4-yard touchdown run with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter, making the score 7-0.

Alex McPherson made a 42-yard field goal to put the Wildcats on the board, bringing the score to 7-3 with 9:30 remaining in the second quarter. With one second left in the first half, McPherson hit a 57-yard field goal to make the score 7-6, going into the half.

Late in the third quarter, a bad snap from Fort payne rolled into the end zone where Albertville recovered it for a touchdown. The PAT was no good. At the end of the third, the Aggies led the Wildcats, 13-6. 

With 11:09 remaining in the fourth, Hunter Love dashed into the end zone. McPherson nailed the PAT to tie the game 13-13. Love barreled his way down the field for another Wildcat touchdown with 5:13 remaining in the game. The extra point attempt  was good to make the final score of the game, 20-13.

“Great effort by our defense all night,” said Head Coach Chris Elmore. “[It was an] awesome game by our kicker Alex McPherson. He was perfect on touchbacks, kicked a personal best 57-yard field goal, and averaged 50 yards per punt and all 3 were downed inside the 20. Our defense and Alex bailed our offense out. We didn’t play well at all on offense and made a lot of mistakes , but our offense responded when we needed them the most with two 4th quarter scoring drives.’

The Fort Payne Wildcats will celebrate their Homecoming as they host the Jemison Jaguars on Friday night.