By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter • amy@southerntorch.com (Photo by Amy Thrash)

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats celebrated Senior Night with a 37-22 win over the Cullman Bearcats.

With 8:20 remaining in the first quarter, the Bearcats put the first points on the board of the night, giving them the 7-0 lead. For Fort Payne, Alex McPherson nailed a 27-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 with 2:26 left in the first.

Zach Ridgeway intercepted the Bearcats ball. Jordan Bain connected with Samuel Hotalen on a 18-yard pass to give the Wildcats a 10-7 lead with 10:07 remaining in the second quarter. At the end of the second McPherson made his second field goal of the night to make the score 13-7 at the half.

To start the third quarter, Cullman had no trouble moving the ball and scored on a 34-yard run giving them the 14-13 lead. With 11:06 left in the third, Junior Marques scooped up a fumble and returned it for a 65-yard touchdown to make the score 20-14. With 3:35 to go in the third, McPherson nailed a 41-yard field goal to bring the score to 23-14.

In the fourth with 4:16 remaining on the clock, Bain found Carter Pinholster for a 2-yard touchdown pass, the PAT was good making the score 30-14. The Bearcats answered back with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion making the score 30-22 with 3:11 to go in the game. Fort Payne made their second interception of the night by Nate Crane. Shaddix followed with a score on a 9-yard run to make the score 37-22. Levee Hall made the third interception of the night and the Wildcats kneeled on the ball to give them the 37-22 win over the Bearcats.

“This is a great team win against a tough opponent,” said Head Coach Chris Elmore. “After getting behind early in the third our defense made another big playto regain the lead, and we were able to hold on after that.”

Samuel Hotalen is the Offensive Player of the Week, and Defensive Player of the Week is Austin Travis.

The Fort Payne Wildcats will travel to Birmingham to take on the Carver Rams.