By Cinthia Rico
SCOTTSBORO – The Top Cat Trophy will remain with the Scottsboro Wildcats following their sec
consecutive win over Fort Payne last Friday night at Trammell Stadium.
With a dominating offensive performance, the Scottsboro Wildcats secured new head coach Tyler Vann’s first win of the season.
“This is what we needed to start the season,” Van said. He praised his offense for a strong performance but credited his defense for holding Fort Payne to just one touchdown in the 31-6 win.
“It was really big for me to be a first-year head coach and get this win,” added Vann. “Our guys did a really good job on defense.”
Scottsboro’s senior quarterback Jake Jones headed the offensive effort for the Wildcats, rushing for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries while also completing 8 of 14 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.
In the first half, Jones broke past Fort Payne’s defense for a 51-yard touchdown run.
Senior quarterback Dax Varnadore of Fort Payne connected with senior running back Brannon Oliver late in the quarter to set up Fort Payne for a first and goal from ten yards out. However, Taygan Harris of Scottsboro’s offense forced a fumble that Jayden Gilbert recovered, keeping the score at 7-0 at the half.
The heat turned up in the second half, as Fort Payne’s defense and Scottsboro’s offense continued fighting for dominance. Midway through the third frame, Jones scored from one yard out, and Cole Raeuchle’s fourth PAT furthered Scottsboro’s advance.
Raeuchle’s over-35-yard field goal came about as a result of Quincie Franklin intercepting a Varnadore pass with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Fort Payne avoided a shutout on a fourth down as Carter Tinker broke free for a 2-yard touchdown. The two-point pass conversion failed, cutting the score to 24-6.
Scottsboro answered with Jones connecting with Gilbert for a 22-yard scoring pass, making for a final 31-6 with less than six minutes remaining in regulation.
Scottsboro finished with 316 total yards, 256 rushing, and 60 passing to Fort Payne’s 280 total yards, 253 passing, and 27 rushing. For the Wildcats, Jacobi Edmondson added 58 rushing yards on 13 carries. Cohen Thompson caught three passes for 28 yards, Gilbert caught two for 23, and Antonio Brocks caught two for six yards.
Scottsboro (1-0) travels to longtime rival North Jackson (1-0) tonight at R.D. Hicks Stadium for the Battle of the Valley.
