Franklin County Times

RED BAY — The Red Bay Tigers knew that a win over the Colbert Heights Wildcats would cement them at second place in Class 2A, Region 8, and the fans who gathered to watch the game despite the cold weather were rewarded with a 41-20 Red Bay victory on Senior Night.

At the end of the first quarter there may have been some doubt as to the outcome of the game, but the Tigers put those fears to bed by halftime.

The first drive for Red Bay was flowing smoothly until senior quarterback Justin Payne was picked off with 9:12 remaining in the first.

The Wildcats were unable to capitalize on the mistake, and a 43-yard run by senior fullback Matt Belue helped to set up the first score of the night, a 13-yard touchdown run by senior running back Steven Wood.

Things went from bad to worse for Colbert Heights, as a snap went over the Wildcats’ punter and was recovered by Red Bay at the Colbert Heights 13-yard line.

The Wildcats prevented Red Bay from scoring despite the short field, and four minutes later Colbert Heights tied the score at 6-6 with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Colbert Heights decided to attempt an onside kick after the score, but two straight offsides pushed them back several yards. The Wildcats kicked an onsides yet again anyway, and the Tigers got possession on the Red Bay 48.

Once again the Tigers could not capitalize on the short field, and Colbert Heights forced a turnover on downs with 8:17 remaining in the half.

The Wildcats had another disastrous punt a few plays later, and Red Bay wound up with the ball at the Colbert Heights 18.

This time Red Bay capitalized on the short field with a  5-yard run and score by Wood.

Three minutes later Wood scored again, this time from 44 yards out.

The Tigers had a chance to score again just before halftime, and a broken pass play led to a 20-yard quarterback run by Payne for a TD.

This put Red Bay up 27-6 at intermission, and that would be enough to make sure the Tigers left the field with the win.

Wood scored once again, his fourth touchdown of the night, on a 46-yard run with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter.

Red Bay’s final score of the night came on a 8-yard run by senior Tra Elliott.

Red Bay (6-3, 6-1) will  travel to Guin to take on Marion County next week.