The Falkville Blue Devils traveled to North Sand Mountain looking to win their second region championship in the past three years.  

The 2A No. 8-ranked Blue Devils saw their undefeated season and a chance for a region championship end, however, as they were defeated 12-7 by the 2A No. 9 Bison. 

Falkville (8-1, 5-1) will host Cleveland (7-2, 5-2) in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs Nov. 6. The Blue Devils have reached the second round of the playoffs the past two years, falling to Pickens County at home both years. 

The game was a defensive struggle between the region’s top two defensive teams. Falkville was held to 172 total yards, giving up 255 yards. 

North Sand Mountain broke open a scoreless game with a touchdown pass late in the first quarter to give the Bison a 6-0 lead. 

The Blue Devils found themselves with their backs to the wall in the second quarter as the Bison drove down inside the 10-yard line three different times. Falkville’s defense rose to the challenge on two occasions as they intercepted passes in the endzone. The Bison scored on their third try with a 9-yard touchdown pass right before halftime to extend their lead to 12-0. 

Falkville would finally get on the scoreboard when Christian Angulo scored on a short run early in the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils started their drive with 7:26 left in the third quarter, and the score cut the Bison lead to 12-7.  

Late in the fourth quarter, Falkville recovered a North Sand Mountain fumble at midfield. The Blue Devils drove the ball to the 30-yard line and found themselves in a fourth-and-three situation. The Bison came up with the game’s biggest defensive play, stopping Angulo just inches from the line.  

Angulo finished with 157 yards rushing and a score on 28 carries with a long of 47 yards. He also had two interceptions.  

Caden Burnett also had two interceptions, including one in the endzone that ended a Bison scoring chance. 

Falkville will close out the regular season with a trip to Winston County (6-3) this week.