By Marla Jones, Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
Fort Payne 38-Scottsboro 21
Fort Payne made the trip to Scottsboro for the game that has been a bitter rivalry for many years. Grandfathers could tell stories to their grandchildren about when they played against Scottsboro. It was the eighty-first meeting of the teams. Fort Payne did not disappoint their fans and brought the Top Cat trophy home to Fort Payne for the second year in a row.
Coach Paul Ellis, “Our team is very excited to get the win. It was a hard fought contest in tough weather conditions. Scottsboro played great and it was very close into the fourth quarter.” The game started slow and it was almost the end of the first quarter before either team scored. Fort Payne struck first with a 42-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.
With 9:24 left in the second quarter, Desmon Turner got his wheels going and never looked back. He scored on a 5-yard run to put Fort Payne in the lead 10-0. Scottsboro answered back with a 45-yard stampede into the endzone. Not to be outdone, Fort Payne answered back with not one but two touchdowns before going into the half. Turner made a 12-yard gallop in for the score. It was back and forth when Scottsboro returned a 97-yard kickoff to the end zone, making the score 17-14. With 30 seconds left in the half, Tyler Berry scored on a 7-yard dash into the endzone. The Fort Payne fans were nervous during half time but not for long. Fort Payne came back with a vengeance and it was all Fort Payne during the second half.
The rain may actually have helped Fort Payne. They forced three turnovers, an interception and Scottsboro had two fumbles. Turner came in like a wrecking ball after the half and scored two more touchdowns, sealing the win and giving Fort Payne the Southern Torch Team of the Week. Final Fort Payne 38, Scottsboro 21.
Coach Paul Ellis could not be any happier with his team, “I was extremely proud of our young men for finishing the game strong. We are proud to stay undefeated in the region at this point because it is so competitive and the take the Top Cat Trophy back to Fort Payne.”
The win against Scottsboro insures the Fort Payne Wildcats at least second place in the Class 6A Region 7 play. Southside plays Scottsboro and depending on the outcome of that game, We could be seeing a repeat match up of the region title game from last year.
Fort Payne will play Gardendale at home, Friday night.
