By Robert Bradford

For The North Jefferson News



The top-10 ranked class 5A Cullman Bearcats defeated the Hayden Wildcats 35-14. The win improves Cullman to 6-0 on the year.

The Bearcats got on the board first on a 14-yard run by Jacob Smith. Williams Barnes added the point after to put Cullman up 7-0.

The Bearcats extended the lead to 14-0 on a 23-yard pass from Randy Caldwell to Kyle Johnson. Barnes’ point-after was good with 6:03 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bearcats put two touchdowns on the board in the second quarter. The first came on a 46-yard pass from Bryan Steele to Johnson.

The last came with 1:05 remaining in the first half when Caldwell hit Drew Forrester.

In the fourth quarter, Hayden’s Jason Warden scored from 19 yards out. Keith Marsh added the point after. Later in the final quarter, Warden ran in from four yards out for his second touchdown of the night. Marsh’s point-after put the score at 35-14.

Hayden’s Jason Warden was the game’s leading rusher with 74 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.

Next week the Wildcats will host Springville for homecoming at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff at 7 p.m.