By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter • amy@southerntorch.com (Photo by Amy Thrash)
HAZEL GREEN, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats are the Class 6A Region 8 Champions after defeating the Hazel Green Trojans 52-42 on Friday night.
The Trojans put the first points on the board with a 8-yard touchdown run with 4:37 left in the first quarter to make the score 7-0. With 1:39 to go in the first, Jordan Bain found Samuel Hotalen for a 5-yard touchdown and the PAT was good to tie the game 7-7.
Hazel Green had no trouble moving the ball but was backed up with penalties and a sack by Fort Payne’s Will Wright. Carter Pinholster barreled down the field with a 18-yard touchdown run, Alex McPherson PAT was good giving the Wildcats a 14-7 lead with 9:15 remaining in the second quarter.The Trojans answered back with a 64-yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 8:21 to go in the half. Hazel Green forced a three-and-out and scored two more touchdown to broaden their lead to 28-14 with 3:18 left in the second. The Wildcats answered back with a 31-yard touchdown by Bain to make the score 28-14 at the half.
Early in the third Bain made his second touchdown of the night, the PAT by McPherson was good to tie the game 28-28. With 3:25 to go in the third, Nate Crane intercepted a pass and returned it for a 25-yard touchdown making the score 35-28. Hazel Green struck back to tie the game 35-35 with 1:51 remaining in the third.
In the fourth, Bain found Matthew Shaddix for a touchdown giving the wildcats the 42-35 lead with 11:16 remaining in the fourth. The Trojans quickly struck back with a touchdown run to tie the game 42 all. With 5:20 left in the game, Bain connected with Shaddix on a 31-yard pass to put the Wildcats up 49-42. The Wildcats defense forced a three-and-out. McPherson nailed a 35-yard field goal to give the Wildcats the 52-42 win over the Trojans.
“[It was a] great team win, when we were down 28-14 late in the first half, it didn’t look good,” says Head Coach Chris Elmore. “The players showed great resolve and continued to play the best they could. We found a way to make enough plays to win the game and I am very proud of our players and assistant coaches.”
Coach Elmore’s Defensive Player of the Week is Nate Crane, who had 2 interceptions and a touchdown. Alex McPherson is the Offensive Player of the Week. He was 7 for 7 on PAT and had a 35-yard field goal.
The Fort Payne Wildcats will host the Cullman Bearcats tonight.
