Running back Shane Lofton scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to lead the Pine Hills Wildcats to a stunning 21-14 upset win over Tri-County in the first round of the Academy Class A playoffs.

This was the first-ever playoff game for the Wildcats, who got there as a wild-card team.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Wildcats scored twice in the second quarter on a two-yard run by Chad Covey and a 30-yard fumble recovery return by David Wallace. Stephen Causey added both extra points.

Covey had 11 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown and had eight tackles on defense.

Tri-County scored on a touchdown run and added the two-point conversion to trail 14-8 at halftime.

&uot;It was a hard-fought game,&uot; Wildcats head football coach Tony Johnson said. &uot;It was a defensive battle between two great teams.&uot;

Tri-County scored on another touchdown run in the third quarter to tie the score at 14. After that, the Wildcat defense would keep the opponents scoreless the rest of the game.

&uot;The defense stepped up when it needed to tonight,&uot; Johnson said.

Lofton’s touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved to be game-winner. He had 13 carries for 52 yards and two catches for 20 yards.

Chris Guidry had 11 carries for 53 yards. Jason Wallace and John Anders each had 11 tackles for the Wildcats.

Pine Hills improved to 9-2 on the year. Tri-County finished the season at 9-2.