Final drive comes short for Spartans in battle of top-10 teams

Three turnovers were too much for Mountain Brook to overcome, as the Spartans came up short in their season opener at Tuscaloosa County by a score of 13 to 6.

In one of the biggest games in Alabama, the defensive struggle pitted the No. 6 Spartans against the No. 7 Tuscaloosa County Wildcats.

The match lived up to its billing, with the Spartans mounting a final drive from its own 20-yard-line to the Wildcats’ 26 in the last two minutes.  When the Spartans were unable to score the winning touchdown, Tuscaloosa County ran out the clock with their final possession.

Defense and special teams were the difference in the game for Tuscaloosa County.  The game winning touchdown was set up by a blocked punt, and the Wildcats forced three Spartan fumbles.  

The play of the game for Mountain Brook was an interception return by Buddy Pell to the Wildcats’ 2-yard-line. Gene Bromberg followed with the Spartans only touchdown of the evening. A missed PAT left the score at 0-6. On the next drive Tuscaloosa answered; putting seven points on the board just before the half.

In the third quarter, the Wildcats scored on a 25-yard pass following a blocked  punt. The PAT was missed, resulting in a 13-6 Wildcat lead going in to the fourth quarter, where neither offense could produce a score.

The Spartans  now look to sharpen their game in their region opener this week against Shades Valley, Friday, 7p.m., at Spartan Stadium.