North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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August 31, 2012

Football: Sylacauga 35, Hayden 21

By Robert Bradford North Jefferson News

HAYDEN — Ian Floyd ran for two touchdowns, and quarterback Hunter Johns threw for two more, as visiting Sylacauga defeated Hayden 35-21 in the season opener for both teams.

The Wildcats forced a punt on Sylcauga's first possession. Hayden's Clay Hogeland, on his 17th birthday, returned the punt 50 yards for the score  midway thru the first quarter.

After another Aggie punt, Hayden made its first mistake of the night when quarterback Corey Ward's pass was intercepted by T.J. Smith and returned 24 yards for the touchdown. That knotted the score at 7-7 with a little over six mintues remaining in the opening quarter.

The Aggies forced a Wildcat punt and scored again on a 3-yard run by Floyd late in the first period.

Hogeland almost broke another punt return for a score but was taken down at the 42-yard line late in the first half. The Wildcats threat was killed when Montel McGhee intercepted a Hayden pass and returned it to the 47.

Still later in the half, Hayden's Johnny Spence intercepted an Aggie pass at the 10 to keep the score at 14-7 at intermission.

The Wildcats opened the second half on offense, but was forced to punt, which was blocked and recovered by the Aggies on the Hayden 18-yard line. On the first play, Johns ran the option to perfection and ran into the end zone almost untouched.

The Wildcats stuck quickly to get back in the game when Ward connected with receiver Luke Wall for 61 yards and a touchdown with 8:53 on the third-quarter clock.

After forcing another Aggie punt, Hayden was in business at the Sylacauga 36, but the Aggie defense stiffened and took over on downs at the 20. Sylacauga would drive the length of the field and score on a 3-yard run by Floyd.

Hayden couldn't muster a first down on their next possession and punted. The Aggies answered by scoring on a 28-yard pass from Johns to Smith  early in the final quarter.

The Wildcats came back to score on their next drive, as Ward hit Presley Niblett for 13 yards and a score with 5:53 remaining in the game.

Hayden had one more scoring threat late in the game but the Aggies’ Qualon Darby intercepted a Ward pass.

Floyd led all rushers with 93 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. Johns had 70 yards on 22 attempts, and 6-for-14 passing with one interception, 57 yards and a touchdown.

Wall had six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats. Ward had 183 yards passing and two touchdowns; he was 13-for-25 with three interceptions.

Hayden will host Springville on Friday night as both teams open region play.

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