By Will Gaines, Fort Payne Times-Journal

SYLVANIA – Sylvania running back Aiden Parham posted 328 yards rushing on 46 carries with three touchdowns, lifting the Rams to a 23-7 Class 3A, Region 6 football win over Piedmont on Friday in a battle of top 10 teams.

The Rams’ defense was also dominant as the unit held Piedmont to just 134 yards of offense and didn’t give up a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.

But Sylvania (2-0, 1-0) had some miscues early as neither team scored in the first quarter.

The Rams’ defense forced a turnover on downs to start the second quarter, then drove 60 yards for the game’s first score on a two-yard Parham run. Conner Andrade added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

On the next drive, the Rams’ defense came up big again by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Drenon Townsel.

Sylvania again capitalized on the turnover with Parham’s second touchdown of the night – this one a 7-yard run. Andrade’s extra point made it 14-0 with 3:43 to go in the first half.

Andrade then extended the lead to 17-0 in the third quarter with a 37-yard field goal.

Piedmont (0-2, 0-1) tried to get back in the game, but the Bulldogs’ hopes ended when Sylvania’s John Robert Dixon intercepted quarterback Cole Wilson with 9:29 to go in the game.

On the next play, Parham scored on a 67-yard run to seal the win.

Piedmont, which has now lost two games in a row for the first time since 2018, scored its only touchdown on a 15-yard run from Rollie Pinto with 6:36 to go in the game.

Piedmont is at Plainview on Friday. Sylvania is also on the road at Ohatchee.