By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham High School head coach Brett Burnett has a much better feel for his team after seeing them line up against someone other than themselves for the first time this season on Aug. 23.

“We have an idea where we’re at now, and we’ve got an idea of what we’ve got to do to get better,” Burnett said after his team downed the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats 10-7 in the pre-season jamboree. “I like the way we came out and fought. We were scrappy on defense. (Tuscaloosa County) is a good program, and I’m proud of our kids.”

Offensively, the two teams finished nearly identically, with Pelham posting 275 total yards to the Wildcats’ 265. 236 of Pelham’s yards came on the ground, compared to Tuscaloosa County’s 208 rushing yards.

The Panthers’ rushing leaders were Holden Robertson, who racked up 64 yards on seven carries. Robertson was followed closely by Seth Kelosky, who finished with 63 yards on 12 carries.

After the Wildcats missed a 38-yard field goal attempt on their first possession, Pelham placekicker Austin Bowen split the uprights on a 32-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

Pelham’s 3-0 advantage held until the half.

On Tuscaloosa County’s opening possession of the third quarter, a Wildcat running back broke free for an 80-yard run, but fumbled the ball at Pelham’s 1-yard line. The ball rolled through the back of the endzone, giving Pelham the ball at its own 20-yard line.

In the fourth quarter, Pelham’s Drew Curtis recovered a Wildcat fumble on the Pelham 9 yard line. The ensuing Pelham drive ended in a 57-yard Holden Robertson touchdown run and a Bowen PAT.

Tuscaloosa County scored on its ensuing possession, but Pelham was able to run the clock out to seal the victory.