Opp’s Hunter Jones kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bobcats a hard-fought 9-6 victory over Alabama Christian Academy in Montgomery on Friday evening.

“We’ve been overdue for a win,” said Opp coach Jack Whigham, whose team picked up its first victory of the 2009 season. “Our defense played another outstanding game, and they’ve been great for us all year long. Our offense was moving the ball, but then we’d shoot ourselves in the foot with bad penalties.”

Opp (1-2, 1-1 in Class 4A, Region 2) trailed 6-0 after three quarters before staging a comeback late.

ACA tried to score an extra touchdown at the end of the third quarter, but Opp’s defense recovered a fumble on its own 3-yard-line with 44 seconds left in the third. The Bobcats then marched 97 yards in 15 plays to score the tying touchdown.

Gavin Free took the ball in from 1 yard out, and the Bobcats’ extra point was blocked with 2:30 left in the game.

During ACA’s ensuing possession, Opp’s Britt Wilson picked off a pass and returned it 10 yards to the Opp 25-yard-line with 1:03 left. The Bobcats marched down to the ACA 17-yard line and downed the ball with 4 seconds to go, before Jones kicked the winning field goal as time expired.

“Before the game, Hunter had made a few from 37 yards or so out, so we thought he could make it,” Whigham said. “Zane Christian made a great snap, Britt Wilson had a strong hold and Hunter put it through with about 15 yards to spare.”

Opp hosts Saint James next Friday.