PREP FOOTBALL: 2nd-ranked Trojans handle Bearcats 45-0

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Cullman’s Noah Bussman (7) lays a hit on a Trojans receiver during the Bearcats’ loss at Muscle Shoals Thursday night. (Martha Needham for The Cullman Tribune)

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – Thursday night was a tough one for the Cullman Bearcats. The black and gold traveled to Muscle Shoals to take on the second-ranked Trojans and were sent home with a 45-0 loss at J.F. Moore Stadium. Muscle Shoals moved to 8-0 and remains on top of the region after the win and the Bearcats will slide to 3-5 with just one more region opponent left in front of them.

Cullman managed to pick up a couple first downs on its opening possession but was eventually forced to punt. After an explosive play got them deep into Bearcats territory, a Trojans pass was tipped up and intercepted by Cullman’s Griffin Barksdale. The ‘Cats were forced to punt however and a high snap on the play gave Muscle Shoals the ball at the Cullman 8-yard line. After being held on first and second down, the Trojans connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

After another defensive stop, Muscle Shoals got the ball back and threw a 29-yard strike to the back of the end zone that made it a 14-0 game going into the second quarter. The Trojans added two more scores in the second quarter, one coming on a 6-yard touchdown pass midway through the period and a 12-yard scoring run just before the half that made it 28-0 at the break. The Bearcats were held to just 61 yards offense in the first half while Muscle Shoals collected 271.

Cullman saw more of the same in the third quarter, being unable to move the ball consistently on the ground or through the air and with eight minutes to play in the quarter, the Trojans hit a 1-yard shuffle pass on the goal line to go on top 35-0. A 14-yard touchdown pass stretched the lead to 42-0 late in the third quarter and a 41-yard field goal midway through the fourth brought the final score to 45-0.

Running back Jayden Sullins led the way offensively for the Bearcats, finishing with 55 yards on 19 carries. Muscle Shoals posted 395 total yards in the game while Cullman finished with just 97.

The Bearcats will return home next week to face the rival Hartselle Tigers in a showdown for that third spot in region 7.

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