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

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats took back the TopCat trophy after a 42-7 win over the Scottsboro Wildcats Friday night. 

Fort Payne struck quickly on a pass connection from J.D. Blalock to Matthew Shaddix for a 48- yard touchdown run. Alex McPherson nailed the PAT to give Fort Payne the 7-0 lead with 8:29 to go in the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, Blalock found Shaddix again for a 34-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-0 with 9:07 left in the first half. Hunter Love bulldozed his way down the field with a 62-yard run that put the ball on the 2-yard line. Darwin Camp dashed into the end zone to give the Fort Payne Wildcats a 21-0 lead. With .57 seconds left in the first half Shaddix scored his third touchdown of the night to make the score 28-0.

With 6:56 left in the third quarter, Shaddix scored from 9-yards out to make the score 35-0. The Scottsboro Wildcats scored their only touchdown of the night to make the score 35-7 at the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter with 8:42 remaining in the game, Fort Payne scored their last touchdown of the night for the 42-7 win over the Scottsboro Wildcats. 

“[This is a] great team win against a good Scottsboro team,” said Fort Payne Head Coach Chris Elmore. “[Our] defense played great all night. Our special teams controlled field position the entire game, and our offensive skill players were able to make big plays because of how our offensive line blocked.”

The Wildcats will travel to take on the Albertville Aggies in regional play on Friday night. Join Southern Torch for a tailgate party at the Aggies stadium before the game.

The Scottsboro Wildcats will travel to Ardmore to take on the Tigers.