The Tharptown Wildcats got a big win to open the season with a 17-0 shutout over the Shoals Christian Flame.

“This was a big win for our kids,” said Tharptown Coach Kevin Lacey. “I’m proud of every one of them. They have worked hard, been enthusiastic and dialed in. It was a great reward for some hot, grueling practices this August.”

Tharptown got on the board early, taking advantage of a Shoals Christian turnover. Blake Daily recovered a Shoals fumble on the Flame 27-yard line, and the Wildcats converted three plays later when Ruben Alfaro sidearmed a strike over the middle to Nathan Lucas for a 24-yard touchdown pass. 

Yovani Gomez added the point after to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 9:21 to go in the first quarter.

Both teams went scoreless in the second and third quarters. 

Tharptown, however, capped a 10-play, 63-yard drive with a Colton Simmons 2-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Gomez’s PAT gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.

Gomez would add a late 24-yard field goal to give the Wildcats the 17-0 lead heading into an off week.

“It was big to give our guys some confidence heading into our off week,” said Lacey. “We have a grueling region schedule ahead of us, and our guys needed something to hang their hat on, and we got it.”

Tharptown ended the game with 173 yards rushing on 36 carries. 

Junior newcomer Colton Simmons led the Wildcats with 10 carries, 67 yards and a touchdown.