Hayden’s first-eve trip to Hartselle wasn’t a happy one, as the Tigerstook advantage of their home field to beat the Wildcats 48-0.

Senior running back Malcolm Fossett of the Tigers took the opening kickoff 101 yards for the first score.

After an onside kick attempt by the Tigers, Hayden would get as close as the 36 before turning the ball over on downs.

Fossett would get his second touchdown of the night on a 9-yard run to cap the 64-yard drive.

Hayden’s Ethan Hayes recovered a Hartselle fumble on a Hayden punt at the 47. The Wildcats would return the favor when the Tigers intercepted a Cats pass and returned it to the 21.

Quarterback William Lang hit Sidney Steele-Pointer for 20 yuards and a touchdown with 1:23 in the first quarter.

Diaster hit again on Hayden’s next possession when Jackson Reeves picked up a Wildcat fumble and raced 65 yards for the score as the first quarter ended.

Hayden’s Seth Gardner pinned the Tigers at the 15 on their next possession. but the Tigers’ Lang hit Chance Pentlow for six yards and a score, Lang’s second on the night.

Hartselle would put more points on the board when Christopher Slayton ran in from one yard out.

Hartselle would add a touchdown late in the game when Jamison Aldredge ran in from 24 yards. The point after was blocked by Hayden’s Gage Hunt.

The Tigers gained 33 189 yards on the ground, while holding Hayden to just 33. The teams were virtually even in passing.

Cody Ward was 9-for-23 inpassing for the night, with one interception.

The win improves sixth-ranked Hartselle to 3-0, 2-0 in class 5A region 6 play. The loss, the second in a row to a top ten team, drops Hayden to 1-2, 0-2 in region play.

Next week the Cats travel to Curry to take on the Jackets, who lost to A.P. Brewer.