Selma falls short in fourth-quarter thriller against Sipsey Valley
Published 1:22 am Saturday, October 25, 2025
In a tight game that went down to the final quarter, the Selma Saints fell by three points to Sipsey Valley on Friday, Oct. 24. (For the Times-Journal/Nichlos Cutrell)
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By NICHLOS CUTRELL | Special to the Selma Times-Journal
SELMA – In a Friday night battle that came down to the wire, the Saints and the Bears traded blows in one of the most electrifying games of the season. Despite multiple lead changes and standout performances on both sides, Selma fell just short in a 41-38 loss after a furious fourth-quarter rally by Sipsey Valley.
The game was a back-and forth slugfest from the opening kickoff. After a defensive stand that forced an early turnover, Selma struck first with just under three minutes left in the first quarter when quarterback Kristan Moore powered through the line for a 16-yard touchdown. The two-point try came up short, leaving the Saints ahead 6-0.
Sipsey Valley responded before the end of the first quarter, punching in a two-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Bennett with just 21 seconds left on the clock. The bears converted the two-point attempt to take an 8-6 lead heading into the second quarter.
Selma regained control early in the second when Samarion Woods dashed 16 yards to the end zone, putting the Saints back on top 12-8. But the Bears answered yet again. Quarterback Kingston Trull found Trent Cole on a crisp 14-yard strike, followed by a successful field goal to make it 15-12.
The Saints refused to back down. With 1:52 left before halftime, Moore muscled in his second touchdown of the night from four yards out to give Selma an 18-15 lead. Moments later, the Saints defense came up big when the Saints snagged an interception with under a minute left in the half, keeping the momentum on Selma’s side as both teams headed to the locker room.
The third quarter started with fireworks. After recovering a Sipsey Valley fumble, Selma capitalized when Woods connected with Moore for a 50-yard touchdown bomb. The Saints converted the two-point pass to stretch the lead to 26-15, their largest advantage of the game.
But the Bears clawed back quickly when they sprinted 20 yards for a touchdown with four minutes left in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 26-23 after a successful two-point conversion.
Selma opened the fourth quarter on a strong note when Robert Lytle barreled in for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 32-23. Yet the lead was far from safe. Sipsey Valley answered just 22 seconds later on a 14-yard rush by Bennett cutting it to 32-29 after a missed conversion.
The Saints continued to fight, with Woods finding the end zone again on an 11-yard run at the 4:47 mark, pushing Selma ahead 38-29. But in the closing minutes, the Bears mounted an incredible comeback.
Sipsey Valley cut the lead to three again with a late touchdown with 3:05 left in the game, but with a missed field goal, the Saints stayed ahead. Then, after recovering an onside kick, the Bears struck once more when they broke through the defense for a 17-yard touchdown with 1:45 to play, giving Sipsey Valley a 41-38 edge.
Selma’s offense had one last shot but couldn’t find the magic for a comeback with a turnover with less than a minute left in the game.
The loss drops Selma to a tough defeat in what may go down as one of their most competitive games of the season. Both teams combined for nearly a dozen touchdowns, with each possession feeling like a momentum swing.
It was a game defined by grit, execution and heart, the kind that leaves fans breathless until the final whistle. Though the Saints came up short on the scoreboard, their offensive firepower and resilience proved they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Selma (now 2-7) will look to bounce back next week as they travel to Keith for an in-county game to close off the season, while Sipsey Valley (now 6-4) will have a break as playoffs are approaching.
