ATHENS – Athens defensive lineman Karlos Jones was aware of the daunting offensive statistics Fort Payne had put up this season. The No. 2-ranked Wildcats entered Friday’s second round playoff matchup averaging 39.5 points per game, Jones said he didn’t think they had seen a defense like the Golden Eagles have.

Athens limited Fort Payne to 190 yards of total offense as the Golden Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs with a 41-7 win.

“We knew what they have done this season on offense,” said Jones, who had two sacks in the game. “Our game plan was to come out and play smash mouth football. We knew if came out, hit them in the mouth and put pressure on the quarterback, then good things would happen.”

The constant pressure Athens put on Fort Payne’s offense paid off, as the Wildcats had eight turnovers – five fumbles and three interceptions in the game.

“We knew our defense was capable of making things happen,” senior defensive lineman Alfred McCullough said. “We knew we had to get to their quarterback and make him make mistakes. Getting that many turnovers was huge.”

McCullough was quick to note it wasn’t only Athens defensive front causing Fort Payne’s offense to make mistakes.

“Our linebackers and secondary really stepped up tonight,” he said. “Jeff Leonard, Robert Brown and the rest of our linebackers just kept making things happen.”

The Golden Eagles set the tone early. After Fort Payne lost a fumble during its first offensive series, Rob Ezell hit Jacquez Pride on a 46-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Matt Jackson made the extra point to give the Golden Eagles a 7-0 lead.

Antonio Long intercepted quarterback Slade Smith on the Wildcats’ 46-yard line early in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles capitalized when Pride dove into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing series, Fort Payne lost a fumble on its own 20-yard line. Jones extended Athens lead to 21-0 when he punched the ball into the end zone from two yards out.

“This time of year, you need your big play guys to step up and make big plays,” Athens coach Allen Creasy said. “Our guys stepped up tonight.”

After a couple of penalties and big plays from Athens’ defense, Fort Payne found itself in a 4th and 40 situation on the Wildcats’ 1-yard line early in the third quarter. The Wildcats punted the ball to the 46-yard line. After Ezell completed three passes, he scored on an 18-yard run. Jackson missed the extra point, giving Athens a 27-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles got on the board again when Jeremy Stinnett – who intercepted two passes – recovered a Ferrell Williams fumble in the end zone. Ezell scored another touchdown on a 4-yard run.

Fort Payne scored its lone touchdown on a 46-yard pass from Smith to Nick Johnson. The Wildcats were held to 60 yards rushing and 130 passing yards.

“We knew what Fort Payne was capable of doing offensively,” Creasy said. “We looked at it as a challenge. We’ve played against some good offenses this season, so we knew our defense was pretty good. Our defense bowed their necks tonight and made some big plays.”

Athens travels to Hartselle next week for the Class 5A quarterfinals. The Golden Eagles lost to the Tigers 35-31 earlier in the season.