By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



The Hayden Wildcats return to region play this week after coming close to breaking through with their first win of the season.

The Wildcats led Brewer, 7-6 at the half, only to fall, 14-7, as they couldn’t muster another scoring drive after the half.

This Friday, the Wildcats host one of the hottest teams in the state in the Cullman Bearcats.

Cullman enters the game with a 5-0 record and a No. 8-ranking in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A poll.

Cullman whipped archrival Hartselle last week, 45-20.

The Bearcats feature quarterback Tyler Caldwell, who has thrown for more than a 1,000 yards this season and running back Michael Timmons, who missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Timmons averaged over 100 yards a game in the Bearcats first four games before missing last week’s non-region matchup.

The Wildcats feature one of the leading tacklers in the North Jefferson area as Owen Hargett has 53 tackles in Hayden’s first five games.

Bothers Jason and Gary Warden with 15 and 13 catches, and both rank in the top three for pass receptions in the North Jefferson area.