Staff Reports

WADLEY – Things started well enough for Class 1A, No. 10 Spring Garden in its Region 6 football opener at Wadley on Friday.

The Panthers took the lead with eight minutes to go in the first quarter on Chapel Pope’s 6-yard touchdown run, but that would be the only lead Spring Garden would have.

Wadley reeled off 41 unanswered points to take a 41-7 victory. Combined with last week’s loss to Coosa Christian, Spring Garden has lost two games in a row for the first time since 2017.

Pope finished with 22 yards on four carries and the Panthers’ lone score. He also caught two passes for 60 yards. Connor Bates led Spring Garden’s ground game with 62 yards on seven carries.

Noah Barber was 3-of-9 passing for 70 yards with three interceptions.

On defense, Jacob Welsh posted 10 tackles. Barber added eight stops and Bates finished with seven tackles.

Spring Garden hosts Victory Christian on Friday. Wadley is at Donoho.