By Bart Moss for the FCT

The Tharptown Wildcats had no answer for the Shoals Christian tandem of Christian Martin and Ray Elliott Friday night. The duo combined for five touchdowns in their 41-13 win over the Wildcats.

The Flame opened up a 14-0 first quarter lead on a 61-yard touchdown run by Martin.

Elliott would pick off a Tharptown pass and return it 54 yards for the Flame’s second score of the game.

Martin knocked off an 85-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give the Flame a 22-0 lead.

Elliot would score again on a 22-yard pass from John Tucker Waddell to give Shoals Christian a 29-0 halftime advantage.

Elliott and Waddell connected again in the third quarter for a 19-yard touchdown pass to run the score to 35-0.

Tharptown got on the board in the fourth quarter on a 37-yard pass from Carson Petree to Dakota Nolen. Luis Macias hit the extra point to make the score 35-7.

Shoals Christian scored again midway through fourth quarter on a 21-yard run to make the score 41-7. The Wildcats added a late score on 21-yard Petree touchdown pass to Mikey Rosson.

“Obviously, we would have liked a better result,” said Tharptown Coach Kevin Lacey. “Our guys played hard and never gave up. We are going to keep doing what we’ve been doing. We are going to keep growing as a team, learning the game of football and getting better each week. If we keep doing that, good things are going to happen.”

Tharptown will travel to Hackleburg Friday night.