Hayden found out why the Class 5A third-ranked Hartselle Tigers are deserving of their high ranking, as the visitors slammed the Wildcats with a 57-0 shutout Friday.

Hartselle scored on their first possession when running back Blake Slayton scored from 3 yards out. Gavin Marsh added the point after to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Hartselle extended the lead to 10-0 on a 44 yard field goal by Marsh. The Tigers blocked a Hayden punt and returned it 4 yards for a score. Marsh’s point after gave the Tigers a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Hartselle took a 38-0 lead to the locker room at half time on three second quarter touchdowns. Sidney Steele caught a 1-yard pass from quarterback Deacon Aldridge.

 The second score came on a 3-yard run by Slayton and final first half TD came on a 1-yard run by Jaylan Jackson.

The Tigers opened the third quarter scoring on a 10-yard run by Slayton. Hartselle added scores on a 2-yard run by Tyler Phillips and a late score by D’Andre Mack.

Hartselle’s defense helf the Cats to just 42 yards in total offense, the lowest since Coach Steve Kerby took over the program in 2009. The Cats gained 22 yards in the air and just 20 on the ground. The Tigers amassed 336 yards in total.

The loss drops Hayden to 1-2  and 0-2 in the region, while the win improves Hartselle to 3-0, 2-0.

The Wildcats play host to Region 6 foe Curry next week. Hartselle will host Walker next Friday, after the Vikings were beaten by Cullman on Thursday night.