The Fort Payne Wildcats made the long trip to Pete Rich Stadium and left with a convincing 41-20 win over the Pell City Panthers Friday night.

It was the eleventh meeting between these two schools with Fort Payne holding a 7-3 edge in the series. Fort Payne jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a 20-yard field goal after the first quarter.

The Wildcats started the second quarter first and 10 at the Pell City 14-yard line. The drive came down to 4th and 1 at the 3-yard line, and the Wildcats cashed in from there. With the extra point Fort Payne was up 10-0 with 11:01 left in the half.

Pell City answered with a 12 play 80 yard drive topped off with David Keith scoring from a yard out. The extra point was good and Pell City cut into the Wildcat lead 10-7.

The Wildcats followed up with a 27-yard touchdown and an interception that set them up at the Pell City 36-yard line. The Wildcats punched it in for the score taking a 24-7 lead at halftime.

Pell City held Fort Payne to a 40-yard field goal from kicker Alex McPherson to start the second half and quickly marched down the field for a 12 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, but Pell City cut the lead to 27-13.

Fort Payne answered with a 65-yard touchdown pass of their own at the end of the third quarter to put them up 34-13.

A Panthers’ bobbled snap on a punt gave Fort Payne good field position at the Pell City 6 yard line. It took three plays, but the Wildcats scored a touchdown and they were in the driver’s seat up 41 – 13.

Pell City added a late touchdown to make the final score 41-20 Fort Payne.

Pell City will host Scottsboro tomorrow night to close out region 7 play in class 6A. This will only be the 5th ever meeting between these two schools with Scottsboro holding a 3-1 overall against Pell City. The Panthers will finish their season at home next Friday night for Homecoming against Mae Jemison. Kickoff of tomorrow nights game will be at 7 p.m. at Pete Rich Stadium.