The Florala Wildcats recorded a 28-13 Homecoming victory Friday night against their cross-county rivals, the Pleasant Home Eagles.

The Eagles drew first blood in the game when Brent Carter scored on the opening drive. The Eagles covered 60 yards on the opening drive when Carter scored on a 34-yard run. Scotty McCraney capped off the drive by nailing the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Wildcats didn't sit idly by though as they drove 80 yards down the field for a score.

Corderus Smiley carried the ball six times on the drive, for 76 of the 80 yards. He finished off the drive by running in from 2-yards out to put the score at 7-6. The Wildcats missed the extra point, but didn't let that faze them.

On its next possession, the Wildcats drove the ball 62 yards down the field in the second quarter to put the ball in the end zone once more.

Victor Hobdy was the star of the drive, recording a 46-yard run. Smiley capped off the drive and put the Wildcats on top 12-7. Robbie Evans completed a pass into the end zone to Mark Geohagen for a two-point conversion, giving the Wildcats a 14-7 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Florala scored when Evans ran it in from 16 yards out. Tyler Rasberry added the PAT for a 21-6 lead.

David Hamby scored on a 65-yard run for the Eagles to get Pleasant Home within one score at 21-13 after the extra point was blocked.

Smiley added another touchdown later in the game for a 28-13 cushion after Rasberry converted the PAT.

Smiley ended the game with 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 31 carries. The Wildcats had 381 yards of total offense with all of it coming on the ground.

Florala Head Coach Doug Vickery was more than pleased with the win.

"It was a huge victory for our football program," Vickery said. "We are starting to turn the corner. I'm really proud of these kids and the coaching staff."

- Sports Editor John Wallace

contributed to this story.