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

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the Etowah Blue Devils 35-21 on Friday Night. 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Etowah Blue Devils pushed through the Fort Payne defense to take the 7-0 lead with 8:07 remaining in the second quarter. After an interception by Will Abbott, Hunter Love punched it in from 7-yards out to tie the game 7-7 with 1:56 remaining in the first half.

With 9:40 left in the third quarter, Hunter Love galloped his way down the field with a 18-yard touchdown, to give the Wildcats the 14-7 lead. The Blue devils scored from  6-yards out to tie the game 14-14 with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter. JD Blalock scored on a quarterback keeper,  to give the Wildcats back the lead 21-14 with 1:13 left in the third. Etowah answered back with a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game 21-21 with :15 left in the third.

In the fourth quarter, Balock connected with Sawyer Burt for the 34-yard touchdown,  to make the score 28-21 with 10:06 left in the game. Blalock scored again on a quarterback keeper, from 8-yards out, to make the final  score 35-21.

“It was a great team win and we are very proud of all of our players and coaches. Etowah has a great team with many explosive players”, stated Fort Payne Head Coach Chris Elmore. “We did not play well on offense in the first half but we respond by scoring on all 4 possession of the second half.”

The Fort Payne Wildcats will travel to Scottsboro to battle for the Top Cat Trophy on Friday.