By Marla Jones
Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
SYLVANIA, Ala.-- The Saks Wildcats defeated the Sylvania Rams, 42-32 in their season opener on Friday night.
The Rams received the ball to start the game. The Wildcats made an interception and scored on a pick 6. The two-point conversion failed but gave the Wildcats the early 6-0 lead with 10:57 remaining in the first quarter. On their next possession, the Wildcats connected on a 42-yard pass to set up the 2-yard scamper into the endzone. The Wildcats successfully went for two to take the 14-0 lead with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter. The Rams made a long 65-yard run before fumbling the ball on Saks' 2-yard line. Saks recovered the ball and threw a pass for 88 yards for the touchdown on third down and 8. The extra point attempt was not good, making the score 20-0. With 1:30 remaining in the first, Sylvania put their first points on the board with a 60-yard stampede down the field by Zac Anderson. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 20-6 going into the second quarter.
The Rams scored with 7:29 remaining in the second quarter on an 81-yard touchdown pass to Sawyer Hughes. The two-point conversion failed, bringing the score to 20-12. The Wildcats scored on a 45-yard pass set up on the Ram 5-yard line. The next play was right up the middle for the touchdown. The Wildcats successfully went for 2 up the middle. At halftime, the Wildcats had the 28-12 advantage.
With 5:23 remaining in the third quarter, the Rams scored on a 70-yard right up the middle run. The two-point conversion was good, narrowing the Wildcat lead to 28-20. The Rams scored again with 2:11 remaining in the third, on a 26-yard bubble screen by Roman McKeenan. The two-point conversion attempt was stopped by the Wildcats but brought the Rams within two points with a score of 28-26. McKeehan suffered the tragic loss of his mother earlier in the week and dedicated his touchdown to the memory of his mom, Martha Plumlee. With 1:23 remaining in the third quarter, Saks scored on a 54-yard touchdown around the right side. The 2-point conversion was good, making the score Saks 36, Rams 26.
The Wildcats scored their final points of the night on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 7:58 remaining in the game. The 2-point conversion failed, making the score 42-26. The Rams scored on a 70-yard middle screen pass by Styles Hughes. The two-point conversion failed, making the final score of the night Sake 42, Sylvania 32.
The Sylvania Rams will travel to take on the Sardis Lions on Friday night.
