Pell City’s senior night did not go the way they would have like, as a dream of an upset of the defending 6A state champions came crashing down early.  The Yellow Jackets knocked off their rivals from Pell City 59 – 19.

This was the 54th meeting between these two rivals, with Pell City trailing in the all time series 18 – 35 – 1.  Oxford started the game at the Pell City 27.  Facing 3rd and 7, Yellow Jackets quarterback Higgins broke free for a 21 yard gain to the Panther 49.  The Panthers defense held as Harrison Fausnaugh knocked away a pass on 4th and 6.  Pell City got the ball on downs, but fumbled the football back to Oxford on the very next play.  Oxford took over at the Panther 20 yard line and it did not take them long to score.  The Yellow Jackets punched it in from 1 yard out to go up 7 – 0

Oxford stopped the Panthers in three plays on their next drive and got the football back, this time at their own 38 yard line.  Pell City had the Jackets stopped, but a pass interference penalty kept the Oxford drive alive.  The Jackets scored with a 26 yard pass and let 14 – 0 after the first quarter.  

The scoring onslaught for the Yellow Jackets took place in the second quarter.  They scored with a 17 yard touchdown pass, a 52 yard run, a 96 yard interception return for a touchdown and a 7 yard touchdown run right before halftime.  Oxford had a commanding 41 – 0 lead at halftime.  

The Jackets picked right back up where they left off in the second half.  They scored with an 18 yard touchdown pass.  Carson Walker broke free with his speed to block the extra point, but Oxford increased it’s lead to 47 – 0.  

Pell City fumbled the ball away and gave Oxford great field position at the Pell City 38 yard line.  It took plays, but the Yellow Jackets cashed in for 26 yards out to go up 53 – 0.

Pell City finally put together a drive late in the third that was capped off with a Quenton Hicks 6 yard touchdown.  Oxford led 53 – 6 after three quarters.  

Oxford finished their scoring to start the fourth quarter with a one yard touchdown.  Walker blocked the extra point once again but Pell City trailed 59 – 6.

Pell City put up some points in the fourth, Marquise Bedford scored from 3 yards out and Kaleb Gross caught an 18 touchdown pass.  Saylor Richards, female kicker for the Panthers converted the extra points.  Karson Walker and Harrison Fausnaugh each had extra point blocks on the night, but this round of this I20 rivalry went to the Panthers 59 – 19.

Pell City drops to 1 – 3(0-2).  They will travel to Calera tomorrow night for their next game, while Oxford will take on Gadsden City.