Knights Lose to Fort Payne 40 - 28

Arab Quarterback Heith Pope scores touch down in the third quarter against Fort Payne                                                                  Photos by Dwight Hayes

October 23, 2006
"We respect you," Fort Payne coach Paul Ellis told the Arabian Knight team Friday night as both teams met at center field immediately after the game.  Ellis told the Arab team that he gained some of that respect after watching the Knights play against Etowah the previous week but had gained even more respect during their game.

Despite the final twelve point spread,  Arab was able to post impressive statistics against the undefeated number five rated team in the state.  Only a late fourth quarter interception, which stopped a potential go ahead drive, allowed Fort Payne to put the game out of reach.

Arab won the toss and elected to receive. With 9:13 left in the first quarter, Arab's Heith Pope scored the evening's first touchdown from the 10 on a drive that started on Arab's own 29 and covered 71 yards in 8 plays that took 2:47 off the clock. The PAT was good and Arab led 7 - 0 over Fort Payne.

With 7:34 left in the first quarter, Fort Payne answers with a 4 play 69 yard drive that took 1:39 off the clock. The PAT was good and the game was tied 7 all.

With 6:50 left in the second quarter, Fort Payne drives 82 yards from their own 18 running 7 plays in 1:24. The PAT was good and Fort Payne leads 14 - 7 over the Knights.

With 1:16 left in the second quarter, Fort Payne pulls the double pass play and scores on a 60 yard pass play. It's done in 1 play and takes just 11 seconds off the clock. The PAT is good and Fort Payne leads Arab 21 - 7.

With 1:05 left in the second quarter, Matt Daniels goes in from the 8 yard line on a 5 play 61 yard drive that started on the Arab 39 and took 55 seconds off the clock. The PAT is good and it's Fort Payne 21 and Arab 14.

With 7:02 left in the third quarter, Fort Payne scores on a 71 yard 10 play drive that took 4:58 off the clock. The drive started on their 29 yard line. The PAT is good and Fort Payne leads the Knights 28 to 14.

With 2:48 left in the third quarter Arab's Jon King went in from the 14 on a drive that started on Arab's 29 yard line that covered 71 yards in 7 plays that took 2:48 off the clock. The PAT was good and the score is now Fort Payne 28 Arab 21.

With 11:10 left in the fourth quarter, Fort Payne scores on a 10 play 63 yard drive that took 5:04 off the clock. The PAT was no good and the score is Fort Payne 34 and Arab 21.

With 8:49 left in the fourth quarter, Heith Pope goes in from the 9 on a 8 play 61 yard drive that started on Arab's 39 yard line. The drive took 2:21 off the clock and the PAT was good. It's now Fort Payne 34 and Arab 28.

With 2:30 left in the game, Fort Payne scores after an interception on the Arab 3 yard line. They used 3 plays to get in and then went for two.
The conversion attempt was no good and the final score was Fort Payne 40 and Arab 28.

Arab who falls to a 5 - 3 record with the loss to Fort Payne faces Butler at home this Friday.  After the Butler game Arab will be on the road to Brewer High School for the final game of the season.

Click here to view a photo journal of the game....

Game statistics provided by Citizen Bill Rutherford of WAFN - 92.7.  Citizen Bill invites you to join him on Sunday nights at 7:00 for the "Remember Then Show" when he brings back the music that time forgot from the 50's and 60's on Fun 92.7.  You can also listen via the web at http://www.fun927.com/