Lauren Estes-Velez

Special to the Enquirer

HUNTSVILLE- Falkville ventured to R.A. Hubbard High School on Friday night for their start to finish nail bitter of the season, and came out 5-0.

With a close final of 19-6, up until the final seconds of the game, the score remained 13-6. Falkville’s Trustin Pylate picked off the Chief’s last hope hail mary and returned it for a touchdown to see the victory for the Blue Devils.

The first half was not a matter of scoring, but that of defensive measures. Both teams fought for two quarters with big stops to keep the opening half a low scoring game.

The lone score in first half rested with the Blue Devils in the first quarter with just 17 seconds left to play. Following a three-play drive and working with a short field after a three-and-out by the Blue Devils, FHS scored behind the hands of Fred Walls on a 13-yard carry for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful.

The halftime score was Falkville leading 6-0 over R.A. Hubbard.

At the 7:48 point of the third quarter, the Chief’s Demetris Bean ran the ball seven yards for a touchdown to make their make offensively. Their two-point conversion failed and the game was tied 6-6.

A series of penalties put the Chief’s in a tough spot and Falkville took over on offense. After a couple of miscues, the right pass connected and Aaron Dove found Christian Angulo on a 24-yard pass for a touchdown. Marcus Klocek’s PAT was good and Falkville had the lead again 13-6 with 2:07 to play in the third quarter.

The battle of fumbles, defensive stops and penalties continued up until the final seconds of the game. A key sack by Austin Fowler with 27 seconds to play put R.A. Hubbard in a tough spot to find success at the end. With under 10 seconds to play, a final pass was thrown by the Chief’s in a last hope to find the endzone – but it was grabbed up by Falkville’s Trustin Pylate and returned for a pick six to seal the win.

Falkville quarterback Aaron Dove finished 12/21 passing with one touchdown and one interception for 186 yards.

The leading rusher for Falkville’s offense was Fred Walls with 18 carries for 93 yards.

Christian Angulo led in receiving yards with 5 grabs for 94 yards, while Mikell Philyaw had four catches for 70 yards and Noah Holmes had two receptions for 20 yards.

Jacob Holladay led in tackling with four solo, while Devin Johnson, Carlos Esquivel, James Garner and Luke Fitzgerald each had three.

Falkville (5-0) will take on Priceville in Burl Vest stadium next Friday night at 7 p.m.