Wildcats power past Flame to 22-6 victory
High School Sports, Sports, Tharptown Wildcats, Top News Stories FRONT PAGE, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Bart Moss Published 
7:29 pm Monday, August 23, 2021

Wildcats power past Flame to 22-6 victory

After a first half beset by fumbles and penalties, the Tharptown Wildcats found their groove and powered past the Shoals Christian Flame 22-6.

Senior Blake Daily led the power ground game for the Wildcats, scoring all three of their touchdowns in the second half.

Both teams were mistakeprone in the first half. If a football wasn’t on the ground, a yellow flag was.

Shoals Christian was penalized 15 times for 135 yards, 100 of which came in the first half. Tharptown had 15 penalties for 120 yards.

“We played sloppily in the first half,” said Tharptown Coach Kevin Lacey. “That is on me. I take full responsibility.

“I am proud of our players and coaches for making the adjustments we needed and finding a way to win in the second half,” he added. “Great competitors don’t lay down and quit; they adjust and overcome.

Tharptown trailed Shoals Christian 6-0 at halftime after a late touchdown by the Flame.

After a lengthy halftime locker room session, the Wildcats returned like a new team, powered by Daily. Daily ran the ball for 220 yards, most of which were power runs up the middle, and three touchdowns to cap off a secondhalf comeback for the Wildcats.

“Blake is a tough kid,” said Lacey. “He is a bulldog out there. He will lower his shoulder and lay a hit on a defender. He is definitely not afraid of contact. I expect that out of him every game.”

Dawson Higgins got things started for the Wildcats in the third quarter with an interception of a Shoals Christian pass, giving Tharptown the ball in Flame territory. Seven plays later, Daily ran the ball in from seven yards out to tie the game 6-6.

Tharptown once again capitalized on a Shoals Christian fumble when Carron Sears recovered the ball at the 50yard line. Again, Daily punched the ball in a few plays later to give the Wildcats a 14-6 lead.

Daily added another touchdown with 6:26 to go. After a two-point conversion pass from Higgins to Josh Riley, the Wildcats led 22-6.

Adrian Banderas and Riley also had interceptions in the game.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *