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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

COLUMBIANA – While it happened a couple of days later than they originally planned, the Shelby County Wildcats broke a losing skid thanks to some changes on the field.

Those changes worked to perfection as Shelby County defeated the Cornerstone Schools of Alabama Eagles 11-0 on Thursday, March 6 at Papa McCombs Stadium in Columbiana.

The Wildcats had lost both of their last two games against varsity opponents coming into the match as they fell to Indian Springs at home and Helena on the road by identical 11-1 score lines.

That left Shelby County and first-year coach Matt Martindale looking for answers and changes after facing a pair of difficult tests.

The coaching staff fielded a new lineup in their next game against Cornerstone, which was postponed from an original date of Tuesday, March 4 due to stormy weather, and the lineup accomplished its goal of getting the ball down the field more quickly in the attack.

As a result, the Wildcats fired 11 goals past the Eagles defense in just 40 minutes of game action. The frequent scoring chances left Cornerstone with little room to respond, and Shelby County’s defense walked away with a clean sheet in the process.

Due to the mercy rule, the 11 goals ended the game at the halftime mark and got Shelby County its second win of the season.

Remy Martinez led the way for the offense, finishing with a hat trick as he earned three goals and an assist. Sam Poe and TJ Minton also had multiple goals in the win as they each finished with two goals and an assist.

Caleb Endfinger and Marshall Stone finished the match with a goal and an assist each while Owen Kennamer and Conor Belcher rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece. Issac Camacho and Angel Dominguez also earned an assist each in the win.

The Wildcats are now 2-3 on the season with the win. They will look to take that momentum right into a Friday, March 7 area matchup with the Northside Rams. The girls will play at 5:30 p.m. before the boys kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Papa McCombc Stadium.

Shelby County will then have a few days to rest before a short trip to Montevallo for an area clash with the Bulldogs. The girls will start at 5 p.m. before a 7 p.m. girls game at Theron Fisher Stadium.