By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

Fort Payne 38-Southside 14

Not only is Fort Payne perfect in the region, they also have some impressive record breakers this season.  Desmon Turner broke the Fort Payne record books for the most touchdowns scored in a season, 37 to be exact.  He also tied for the most rushing touchdowns, which was 20.  Evan McPherson was a record setter, with the most extra points made in one season.   Coach Paul Ellis could not be prouder of his team and their achievements, “Our players set a goal to win the region championship and they put in all the time, hard work, effort to fulfill that dream.  Our region was tough from top to bottom this year so it is definitely an honor to represent Region 7 as the number one seed in the playoffs.

Fort Payne started the game off against Southside with a bang, scoring on their first two possessions.  Desmon Turner scored on a 7-yard dash and on a 37-yard gallop into the endzone.

In the second quarter, Trea Prater made an interception and Triston Shaw ran it in with a 65-yard charge into the endzone.

It took Southside three quarters to put points on the board.  They scored with a 19-yard run.

In the fourth, Wanya King scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Ellis.  Desmon Turner scored his second touchdown of the night with 5:16 left in the game.  Final Fort Payne 38, Southside 14.  The Fort Payne Wildcats held Alaric Williams to only 61 yards.  Williams is a Auburn University commitment.  Coach Ellis had this this to say  about his team containment of Williams, “We kept Alaric Williams in check for most of the night and that is tough to do.” He also had this to say about beating the defending Region Champions, “I am so proud of our football team for coming out and playing so well against a good football team.  We played really well on both sides of the football.  I thought we played fast and physical on both sides of the ball.”

Fort Payne will travel to Anniston this week for their last regular season game. When asked about this week’s game,  Ellis had this to say “ Anniston is a team that has gotten better each this season and are peaking right now at the end of the year, They are a formidable opponent that has a lot of speed and athleticism.  We look for a tough game and believe that this game will definitely help us prepare for the playoffs.”