By: Nick Hall
The Fort Payne Wildcats hosted the 5A, No. 3 Etowah Blue Devils Friday night and played the Blue Devils closer than any team has this season. However, it wasn’t enough in the end as the Wildcats fell 21-14.
Fort Payne’s defense came out swinging, forcing a three-and-out on Etowah’s opening drive. The Wildcats’ offense took over, and it appeared their first drive would stall as well. Jordan Bain had other plans. Facing third-and-9, Bain hit Carter Pinholster across the middle for a 60-yard touchdown strike to put the Wildcats on the scoreboard first. Alex McPherson’s PAT was good, and Fort Payne had the early 7-0 advantage.
On the Blue Devils next possession, the Wildcats were flagged for roughing the passer on a long completion, and the ensuing 15-yard penalty set Etowah up deep in Fort Payne territory. It took the Blue Devils just two more plays to score when DeRickey Wright waltzed into the end zone from 8-yards out. Fort Payne’s Levee Hall blocked the PAT, maintaining the Wildcats lead at 7-6 with 6:29 to go in the first quarter.
A few minutes later, the Wildcats’ defense came up with a big play when Nalen Dubose made a perfectly timed hit on a Blue Devils’ receiver, jarring the ball loose. Hall grabbed the interception, but Fort Payne couldn’t take advantage of the turnover and was forced to punt. Etowah then put together a 57-yard drive that ended at the Wildcats’ 27 when Zach Ridgeway sacked the Blue Devils’ quarterback on fourth-and-long.
On Fort Payne’s next possession, Wright picked off a Bain pass and went 39 yards for a Blue Devil touchdown. Etowah went for two to try and make up for the unsuccessful PAT earlier and they converted to take a 14-7 lead with 7:20 left in the first half. Both teams battled back and forth for the rest of the half but were unable to add points before the break.
In the second half, it was the Blue Devils’ defense’s turn to open with a three-and-out. The offense continued the momentum by putting together an 8-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in an 18-yard scoring run by Trenton Davis. The PAT was good, and the Blue Devils extended their lead to 21-7.
After giving up another interception and coming up with another defensive stop, the Wildcats were able to cut into the Blue Devils’ lead when Bain hit Matthew Shaddix for a touchdown on a 44-yard flea flicker. McPherson’s PAT was good and the Blue Devils’ lead was cut to 21-14 with less than a minute to play in the third quarter. The Wildcats had several opportunities to tie the game in the fourth quarter, including a Pinholster punt return for a touchdown that was negated by a holding penalty. Fort Payne was able to drive back into Etowah territory but couldn’t find the end zone, ending the contest at 21-14. Fort Payne (2-3, 2-0) is back in 6A Region 8 action this week as they host Lee Huntsville (2-3, 1-1).