By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

WEST BLOCTON — Visiting Montevallo rebounded nicely from a forgettable first half, yet never found a remedy for West Blocton’s rushing attack as the host Tigers trumped the Bulldogs 42-20.

The game’s opening drive proved ominous as back-to-back offside penalties by Montevallo set West Blocton up at midfield before running back Evan Vick broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown. What followed were two quarters’ worth of a Bulldogs offense whose lack of fluidity was facilitated by penalties. Mix in two more rushing scores by the Tigers (a 24-yard run by fullback Noah Wilder and a 58-yard scamper by quarterback Jake Vick), and intermission found West Blocton up 19-0.

“(The) first half definitely hurt us,” said Montevallo head coach Andrew Zow. “We just couldn’t find a way to stop them. You have to just be able to adjust. They hit us early. We didn’t respond well on offense. We have to do better on that. But penalties, guys getting hurt, we got too many guys injured.”

Following the break, Montevallo seemed to find inspiration from a quite undesirable source.

Early in the third period, starting quarterback Zac Oden was taken from the field via ambulance with what appeared to be a possible neck injury. The Bulldogs responded with vigor, rallying for a comeback behind backup signal-called Cortez Williams. Montevallo marched 59 yards on its first drive with Williams at the helm, finally finding the end zone when the Bulldogs’ new quarterback scored on a 5-yard run.

Williams’ night also included a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Da’Jion Young, and running back Undreaz Lilly added a 9-yard rushing score. However, West Blocton’s ground game remained in full swing as Jake Vick posted two more rushing touchdowns and brother Evan added his second scoring run as the Tigers grabbed their first win of the season.

“You can’t start the second half and get focused,” Zow said. “You have to start focusing on Monday. You’re dealing with a bunch of 15-, 16-, 17-year-old kids. They’re going to be up and down. You just have to coach them as hard as you can, keep them as focused as you can. We just have to be more disciplined.”

Offensively for Montevallo, Williams was 3-of-9 passing for 41 yards while Lilly logged 90 yards on seven carries.

Montevallo (0-5, 0-3 in Class 3A Region 4) hosts region rival Midfield Oct. 4.