The Fort Dale Academy Eagles matched pace for pace with the Wilcox Academy Wildcats for three quarters of play, but the Wildcats pulled away late in the fourth to run away with a 40-21 win.

Though the Eagles were a step behind for the duration of the night, quarterback Austin Vickery kept Fort Dale in the contest with his legs just as often as with his arm.

The Eagles’ first score would come with five minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the first half on a nine-yard run from Vickery to cap off a five-play, 57-yard drive.

Vickery would find pay dirt once again on the ground on a breakout 68-yard mad dash to the endzone to cut the lead to seven.

Once again, this time with only 19 seconds remaining in the third, Vickery would score on an 8-yard run to cut into the lead further, heading into the fourth quarter trailing 27-21.

But the fourth quarter was a different matter altogether, as the Eagles struggled to convert on fourth down on a drive that killed their forward momentum as well as their chance to turn the tide.

Vickery led the Eagles with 14 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

In addition, he was 9 for 16 passing with 100 yards gained through the air.

Cody Parker led the Eagles on defense with 16 tackles, and Sawyer Kendrick followed closely behind with 15 tackles of his own.

The Eagles mounted 180 rushing yards total, and 100 yards passing.

Fort Dale Academy look to right the ship Friday at home against the Sparta Academy Warriors.