Battle of the Valley

By Marla Jones

Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala.– The Scottsboro Wildcats and the North Jackson Chiefs have faced each other in the Battle of the Valley, thirty-four times.  Scottsboro defeated North Jackson 16-12 for the third straight time.

The scales were in Scottsboro’s favor with 144 rushing yards compared to North Jackson’s 65 yards.  Scottsboro had 12 first downs to North Jackson’s four.  

North Jackson put the first points on the board with a 96-yard kickoff return by Brady Cunningham.  Scottsboro answered back on an 8-yard touchdown by Gavin McCrary.  The extra point attempt was good, giving the Wildcats the 7-6 advantage. The Wildcats scored a safety to go up 9-7 late in the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, North Jackson regained the lead, when Macklin Guess returned the WIldcat fumble, 55-yards for the touchdown. The Chiefs went into intermission with the 12-9 advantage.

The Scottsboro Wildcats took the lead, late in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard scamper into the endzone by Freshman Jake Jones.  Jones was the relief quarterback for injured Gavin McCrary.  Scottsboro intercepted the ball on North Jackson’s next possession. The Wildcats ran the clock out to claim the 12-9 victory in the Battle of the Valley.