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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Carter Lehman (22) brings down Pelham's Darius Copeland (1) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Tyler Do-Bui (14) celebrates with Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) after George scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cameron Atkinson (7) eyes a loose ball before recovering the fumble during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain head coach Cris Bell meets with the offense during a final timeout of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) carries the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Mark Johnson (4) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) runs the ball toward the end zone during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Judah Tait (33) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain marching band performs during halftime of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Zach Taylor (24) runs the ball on the kickoff return during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) carries the ball toward the end zone as Pelham’s Fabian Calderon (27) moves in to block during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain cheerleaders rally fans during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Hogan Morton (20) kicks the extra point during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Judah Tait (33) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Braxton O’Brien (97) and the defensive line face off against the Pelham offensive line during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) calls the play during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Judah Tait (33) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Hogan Morton (20) kicks the extra point during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Carter Lehman (22) brings down Pelham's Darius Copeland (1) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
A rainbow arches over the Eagles football stadium at the start of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Jimmy Harris (13) tackles Pelham's Darius Copeland (1) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Hogan Morton (20) kicks the ball for the kickoff return during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain Eagles take the field at the start of a game against Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain student section and marching band erupt following a touchdown by Noah Young in the first quarter of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Mark Johnson (4) runs the ball during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Hogan Morton (20) kicks the extra point during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) scores for the Eagles in the fourth quarter of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain and Pelham face-off on the line of scrimmage during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) scores the first touchdown in a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) brings the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Dean Null (39) stops Pelham's William Lankford (10) on the run during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Cade George (10) jumps out of a tackle by Pelham’s Fabian Calderon (27) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain marching band performs during halftime of a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Mark Johnson (4) runs through a group of Pelham defenders during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Andrew Lee (96) and Oak Mountain’s Braxton O’Brien (97) bring down Pelham running back Gabe Gamble (34) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
The Oak Mountain cheerleaders rally behind the Eagles during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) pitches the ball to Oak Mountain’s Mark Johnson (4) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (9) runs through a group of Pelham defenders during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Dean Null (39) stops Pelham's William Lankford (10) on the run during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Hogan Morton (20) kicks the extra point during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Oak Mountain’s Chase Schwender (43) tackles Pelham's William Lankford (10) during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pelham at Oak Mtn Football
Pelham's Dylan Peterson (20) runs the ball as Oak Mountain’s Braxton O’Brien (97) moves in to make the block during a game between Oak Mountain and Pelham on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Heardmont Park. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 28-21. Photo by Erin Nelson.
BIRMINGHAM -- Oak Mountain High School coach Cris Bell was already looking toward overtime.
“At one point it seemed neither team was going to stop the other,” the Eagles’ coach said. “If it had gone to overtime, somebody was going to win it by going for two, either making it or stopping it.”
Instead, Bell’s defense made the plays in the final stanza to salt away a 28-21 Oak Mountain victory over Pelham on Friday night at Heardmont Park.
Neither team could escape the other as each displayed a ground-and-pound running attack and enough big plays to fill a treasure chest. But Oak Mountain defensive lineman Jacob Katona made the two stops that the home team needed.
With Pelham’s Gabe Gamble struggling for extra yardage in the red zone, Katona stripped the ball and recovered the fumble to start the Eagles on a drive that would end with Cade George’s run around left end, which he capped off with a leap into the end zone.
Later, with the Panthers again driving down the field, Katona came up big again, getting a mitt on the ball to knock it away from Panthers’ quarterback William Lankford.
“He’s pretty tough, he’s real quick,” the senior said of Lankford. “I came up and I saw him come up in the pocket and that’s when I got him.”
Cam Atkinson made the recovery that let Oak Mountain run out the clock for the victory.
“At the end of the day,” Katona said, “I thought we needed to make a play for our team so we could win the game.”
It was just the second win for Bell over Pelham since he’s been the head man at Oak Mountain, with his first victory coming just a season ago.
The back and forth nature of the game had the Eagles running on fumes.
“Our kids were tired so we took the Scripture from Gideon where you’ve got to fight weary,” Bell said. “Those last two drives defensively, that’s all we were telling them. Fight weary. Fight weary. Fortunately, we had a couple of guys come up and make plays that were huge.”
Pelham coach Tom Causey said both teams played to the last whistle.
“It was a really good high school football game,” he said. “I’m really proud of our guys. We’ll bounce back. We’ve got high character kids. They’ll bounce back next week. I have no doubt.”
Oak Mountain improved to 2-0 while Pelham fell to 1-1.
Click here to view and purchase photos from the game.
