By RICKY RUSTON/For the Reporter

COLUMBIANA — The rain held off Friday night when the Shelby County Wildcats hosted the Sylacauga Aggies, but the neighbors across the river poured on the offensive production in the second half to claim the 21-7 win.

Prior to the game, much appreciation was shown to a slew of the departing seniors of the Wildcat program including football players, cheerleaders and band members being recognized.

Senior night hit a quick high note when Austin Childers reeled off a speed sweep around right end for a 65-yard scoring dash on the fourth play of the opening quarter.  After the Aldo Jones PAT, the elders of the bunch had the Wildcats out to the 7-0 early lead.

As the half was coming to a close, Addison Couch picked off an Aggie pass with a sizable return into Aggie territory as time expired.

The Wildcat defense suffocated the Aggie offense to a tune of 30 total yards in the first half, but casualties on the injury front and missed (scoring) opportunities were critical.  The Wildcats held the 7-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, both teams marched to a tune of a different beat.  On their first two possessions, the Aggies gassed the Wildcat defense for two scoring drives when Aggie running back, Alex Thomason, scampered from the 25-yard and from the Wildcat 4-yard line.

The Aggies went zone read heavy and nothing fancy, but it was quick and effective.  It changed the tone of the game while taking the lead 14-7 in the third quarter.  For the Wildcats, second half offensive drives were built, but couldn’t get over the hump to gain momentum.

After a Wildcat fumble two plays into the fourth, the Aggies extended the lead 21-7 with an 8-yard scoring run from their signal caller, Jackson Walker.