Cullman's Ezra Burks runs over an Athens defender during the first quarter of Friday's 20-7 road and region win.

With a strong South wind at its back, Cullman made the most of its opportunities in an opening quarter that proved to be the difference in 20-7 victory at Athens. The Bearcats jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead, thanks to some excellent field position to start the game.

“That was tremendous,” Cullman coach Mark Britton said. “Isaac Rodriguez did a good job kicking into the end zone that opening quarter. Our defense got some stops, and it was real tough for Athens punter to kick into this wind. The wind and field position really played a factor in the first half of that football game, especially the first quarter.”

Cullman’s scoring drives began at the Athens’ 40, 33 and 2 as the Golden Eagles struggled to move the ball in the opening quarter. After Cullman forced a three-and-out to start the game, Justin Patterson opened the scoring on a 1-yard run to make it 7-0.

Two plays later, Zach Glenn picked off Athens quarterback John Bachus and returned it to the 33-yard line. Cullman quarterback Ross Crocker capped a seven-play drive with a 6-yard TD run to give the visitors a two-score lead.

“I thought we came out well in the first half and were able to move the ball and do some good things,” Britton said. “Good adjustments by Athens and coach (Allen) Creasy in the second half. I don’t know how many three-and-outs we had. We had to punt so many times. We just didn’t execute well the second half. Most of that is due to Athens.”

Athens moved the ball to the Cullman 6-yard line on the next drive but failed to come away with any points when a 27-yard field went wide right. Athens dug itself a deeper hole on the ensuing possession when Bachus floated a screen pass, which was picked off by Cullman’s Garret Cornelius and returned 30 yards to the Athens 2.

Despite a valiant goal line effort by the Golden Eagles’ defense, Cullman eventually scored on fourth down when Caden Winn ran off right tackle for a 2-yard score. Rodriguez’s extra point was no good, and Cullman took a 20-0 lead into the break.

Athens finally got on the board midway through the third quarter when Jaylend Davis ran it from three yards. The score swung the momentum in Athens favor, but Cullman held the home team on fourth down the following possession and was able to close out the game.

Athens defense held Cullman to 60 yards in the second half and 191 total yards for the game. Athens tallied 221 total yards for the game. It marked the fourth time this season Athens gained more yards than its opponent but lost by at least two touchdowns.

Ezra Burks led the Bearcats with 23 carries for 67 yards. Bachus completed 16 of 25 pass attempts for 134 yards and two interceptions. Terrance Watkins finished the game at quarterback after Bachus left the game in the fourth quarter due to an injury.

Cullman (5-1, 2-1) hosts arch-rival Hartselle (4-2, 2-1) next week for an ever-important Class 6A, Region 8 clash, while Athens (1-6, 0-4) travels to Florence (2-4, 1-2).