Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter

Fort Payne started their season off against New Hope in non-region play.

If there was any question how Fort Payne would fare after the loss of several key players, they quickly reassured all doubt.

New Hope had a 79-yard drive to the Wildcats 1-yard line.  Fort Payne forced the fourth down and kept them from the end zone.

Fort Paynes, Tyler Berry added the first touchdown with less than 5 seconds remaining in the first.

During the second quarter, Desmon Turner scored a touchdown, making the Wildcat led to 14-0.

New Hope scored their only points during the third quarter with a 48-yard TD from Jonate Cotton. Desmon Turner answered back with his Wildcat touchdown.

The fourth quarter was all Fort Payne,  The Wildcats pounced on New Hope with 21 unanswered points,  Desmon Turner with a 2-yard TD, Will Anderson with a pick six and last but not least, a 10-yard scoring run from Nick Ridgeway.

Final Score, Fort Payne wins 42-7.