The Wildcats cruised to a 46-8 victory in their Week Four matchup against district opponent Lewis County. It was an impressive display of the offensive capabilities of the team. While the game did get physical on both sides, it didn’t seem to affect the Wildcats overall performance.
Junior running back Coen Fuller provided the first Wildcat score with a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was Fuller’s second special teams touchdown of the season.
The Wildcats’ passing offense had been dormant to start off the season. Head Coach Brian Burgemeir and Offensive Coordinator Kyle Pettit have built the team’s offense around their rushing attack. Coming into the game, the Wildcats had only one completion with zero passing touchdowns in their first three games. That changed when junior quarterback Gary Baker connected with senior tight end Garrett Grogan on a pass up the seam for a 36-yard receiving touchdown. Junior running back Oak Fields rushed in the two-point conversion making it a 14-0 ballgame.
Sophomore quarterback Ethan Verst tossed his first touchdown of the season to Fields as the clock waned on the first half. The Lions struck back with a quarterback rushing touchdown right before the end of the half to bring the game to 20-8.
In the second half, the Wildcats blew the game wide open. Fields added a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as well as rushing in the two-point conversion to bring the score to 28-8.
The Wildcats found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter. Fields punched in his third touchdown of the night with a 4-yard scurry. Fuller added the two-point conversion bringing the score to 36-8. Freshman defender Bret Morgan impacted the game by forcing a safety when the Lions were backed up inside their own five yard line following a booming Parker Schry kickoff. Junior running back Jordan Pearson put the nail in the coffin with a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Fields converted the two-point try. With 8:39 left in the fourth quarter, the running clock officially began.
It was Fields’ night offensively as he led the team with 110 rushing yards, two touchdowns and three conversions on 12 attempts. Senior fullback Caleb Rogers had 53 yards on seven carries for the second-most yards of total offense on the team.
On defense, the Wildcats were led by Pearson who had four tackles at linebacker. Verst had the second-most with three tackles. Both Grogan and senior defensive tackle Mason Snapp recovered fumbles for the Wildcats.
The biggest caveat from this blowout matchup? Penalties. The zebras were tossing the yellow flag like nobody’s business. Both teams combined for a total of 23 penalties which added up to 218 yards. Many of those penalties were personal fouls flagged after the play.
The Wildcats move to 1-1 in their district and can qualify for the 3A playoffs with a victory over district opponent Powell County this week. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Field.
Wildcat Football goes lion hunting
Image
Body