CULLMAN – Revenge was very satisfying for the Cullman Bearcats Friday night. At this time a year ago, the Bearcats fell to Arab 21-14, losing on opening night for the first time since 2004.
No team has ever defeated a Mark Britton led ball club at Cullman for two consecutive years. The Bearcats made sure of that by destroying the Arabian Knights 56-7.
Cullman played very well in the first half, taking advantage of opportunities and making less miscues than the opponent. Three touchdowns were produced in the opening half with the 'Cats hanging on to a 21-7 lead at the break.
Field position gave Cullman a chance to score. Forcing Arab to punt out of its end zone, the 'Cats took possession inside midfield and took a 6-0 lead on a one-yard run by Ethan McMinn with 4:29 to play in the first.
Then the defense did its job against Arab quarterback Daulton Hyatt. Defensive back Logan Shugarts stepped in front of the receiver and rambled 40 yards to the end zone and a 13-0 lead with the extra point from Issac Rodriguez.
Arab had its finest moment of the night, an 80-yard drive to get on the board. Hyatt completed a 73-yard pass on third and long from his six to get the Knights out of trouble.
Hyatt threw a TD from five yards and the conversion closed the score to 13-7 after the first.
The scoring stalled for both sides until Cullman took over from its 44 with 4:26 left in the second. The drive consumed 3:43 as McMinn took it in from the four and Rodriguez tacked on the conversion for a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Dawson Drake, who ran through the Arab defense all night, had his first TD of the season on an 8-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
This followed McMinn's third TD with Cullman now in control by the score of 35-7.
Drake's score was the first of four TDs in the final period for Cullman.
Josh Skinner got one on an 8-yard run with 6:45 remaining. Rodriguez followed with the kick to extend the lead to 42-7.
The last two TDs were provided by Logan Styles on a 30-yard run with 5:23 left following a fumble by Hyatt and the return of an interception from the Arab five with less than 3:00 to play.
This was the most points Cullman has scored against Arab while Britton has been at his alma mater. The 'Cats are 5-1 vs. Arab under Britton and now 40-17-2 all time.
The last time Arab won in Cullman was 14-13 in 1992.
Cullman will look to go 2-0 when Etowah comes to Woodard Stadium Friday.
