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

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the Southside Panthers 28-27 on Friday Night.

With 3:53 remaining in the first quarter, Alex McPherson nailed a 40-yard field goal to give the Wildcats the 3-0 lead. 

In the second quarter, Southside scored on a pass to take the 7-3 lead with 10:38 left in the first half. McPherson drilled a 45-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-6 with 7:50 remaining in the second quarter. The Panthers punched it in for another touchdown making the score 14-6 with 1:34 left in the first half. J.D. Blalock connected with Hunter Love on a 25-yard pass to make the score 14-13 at the half.

With 2:54 left in the third quarter Love scored giving the Wildcats the 20-14 lead. The Southside Panthers answered back with a touchdown with 14.9 seconds left in the third making the score 21-20.

Blalock scored on a quarterback keeper. Fort Payne went for two.  The  2 point conversion was good, giving the Wildcats the 28-21 lead with 6:59 remaining in the game. Southside scored with .14 left in the game the 2 point conversion was no good making the final score 28-27.

The Fort Payne Wildcats will travel to Pell City to take on the Panthers Friday Night.