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

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the Pell City Panthers 28-13 in their season opener.

With 8:52 left in the first quarter,  Pell City were the first to put points on the board taking the  7-0 lead. The Fort Payne Wildcats answered back to tie the game 7-7 with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter.  The Wildcats defense forced a 3-and-out. Fort Paynes Hunter Love dashed down the field for a 25-yard touchdown making the sore 14-7.

To start the second quarter, Pell City scored their second touchdown of the night. The PAT was no good bringing the score to 14-13. The Wildcats had no trouble moving the ball down the field. Matthew Shaddix carried the ball to the 3-yard line, but a holding penalty was called against Fort Payne. Alex McPherson nailed a 36-yard field goal to put the Wildcats up 17-13 with 6:20 left in the second quarter. After a safety the Fort Payne Wildcats got 2 points making the score 19-13, with 4:37 left in the half. After another holding call against the Wildcats, McPherson nailed a 49-yard field to put the Wildcats at a 22-13 lead at the half.

In the third, with 7:30 left, Shaddix ran in a 3-yard touchdown.  A bad snap made the Wildcats miss the extra point making the score 28-13. 

After a back and forth between both the teams, the Fort Payne Wildcats took their revenge  over the Pell City Panthers 28-13. 

“I thought our coaches did a great job all spring,summer, and fall preparing our players” said Head Coach Chris Elmore. “ Our players did a great job of being coachable and trying to execute what was asked of them. It was a great team win.” 

The Fort Payne Wildcats will host the Scottsboro Wildcats this Friday for the Top Cat Trophy.

Join The Southern Torch 983 Wild County Gang for a Tailgate party 4-6 at the Fort Payne Stadium.