What a Night of Football!!!

 

"Wildcats Carve Out Homecoming Victory.....
The Hard Way!!!"

 

 

by: Bobby McDonald

(Some photos submitted by David Stribling, Jr.)

 

 

 

 

If you're a football fan (and even if you aren't) and weren't in Gerald Prim Stadium, on Friday night, you missed a football game! It's one that will be talked about for days, months, and even years! And, if you were one of the fans that left to go home during third quarter.....The Wildcats SHOWED you, to never ever give up on them! And, folks, with both teams looking good in their respective district standings, we could see a "re-match" in the play-offs, later this fall!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, in what has become a traditional early season rivalry, when the Sulphur Springs Wildcats and the Whitehouse Wildcats match-up, it's going to be an emotional game, and then add to that a home crowd, "bursting at the seams," and homecoming, and you've got the full spectrum for an explosion! "We knew it was going to be a high scoring game and a close match-up," allowed Wildcat Head Coach Greg Owens. "And, when these two teams take the field, anything can happen.....And, I think we proved that in Gerald Prim Stadium Friday night! Our guys played with heart and never, ever gave up, showing the poise and discipline that it takes to win football games!"

 

 

 

One might say that the Whitehouse team was plagued with turnovers and penalties, and true they had their own share of them in every departments. "But, our guys were applying the pressure, to make those turnovers, and took advantage of the turnovers and penalties and managed a one-point victory!" continued Owens. "I'm not going to take anything away from Randy McFarlan's team, but our boys came out to play and knew they had to play a top game, in order to win this match-up! I couldn't be more proud of the way things turned out, and how our guys put a mark in the 'W' column!"

 

 

The hometown Wildcats came out early and looked impressive with a drive down the field, that ended with a low field goal attempt by ace kicker Arellano, that failed to go between the uprights. However, it wasn't long before Sulphur Springs was again headed for "pay dirt" and put the first seven points on the scoreboard, with a connection between Quarterback Justin Owens and Dalin Sant and the PAT by Arellano. On the first play following the kickoff, Sulphur Springs' Joe Scott made a spectacular interception and had the Wildcats charging toward the goal line again. This time Sulphur Springs had to settle for a field goal and Alrellano's attempt put three more points on the board. Sulphur Springs led 10-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're still in the first quarter of play and the Whitehouse Wildcats looked like they were finding their game plan and controlling the ball in a drive. However, Sulphur Springs managed to force a fumble and Erick Simmons recovered it, putting the home Wildcats on another scoring drive. This drive ended with three more points from a Arellano field goal and Sulphur Springs led 13-0.

 

 

 

Whitehouse wasn't impeded, and soon returned an impressive drive, where they gained 6 points of their own, but had a failed PAT. And, Sulphur Springs fumble put the Whitehouse team again in good field position to mark-up 7 more points quickly, making it a 13-13 match, late in the second quarter. However, our hometown boys returned with an impressive series of plays, including a great run by Kendrick Daniels, that put them in striking distance of a score again. Kody Chester managed to charge ahead from four yards out and add six more points to our side of the board. Arellano's PAT was good, and the Sulphur Springs Wildcats took a 20-13 lead. It would end the half-with the same score, as the Wildcats went to the locker room at halftime. However, the Cats had a penalty that brought loud "boos" from the Whitehouse side thwarted a last minute drive by the Whitehouse Wildcats from possibly tying the score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the "fireworks" from the other side, that ensued just before halftime, both teams came back "fired-up" and ready to go at it again! And, all you can say is that the third quarter of action was led by Whitehouse. They managed the successful duo of Quarterback Taylor and receiver Metoyer, that our Wildcats were unable to stop. Repeatedly fans saw this duo score three times and make an impression, that many in the Sulphur Springs crowd, decided was going to win the game for Whitehouse. "We had the 'Mojo' during the first quarter, but Whitehouse has definitely got it back now!" commented one devoted Sulphur Springs fan, during the third period. However during this third period, Whitehouse decided to "go for two points" on their first scoring drive of the quarter, and the Wildcats thwarted their plans, making them settle for only six points on the try. This play would "come back to haunt them later!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sulphur Springs Wildcats found themselves looking at the third quarter ending with a 32-20 deficit, but regrouped and began an impressive scoring drive, landing them near the goal line. Owens connected with Irvin Anderson for six more points and a successful PAT by Arellano, had the quarter ending with a 32-27 score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth quarter began with what looked like a great drive by the Sulphur Springs Wildcats as they marched down the field and Owens made an impressive toss into the end zone. However, a holding call brought the ball back and Owen's next pass was "picked-off" by Whitehouse.  Whitehouse captured the momentum on the play and successfully scored leaving the hometown team down by twelve, 39-27.

 

 

 

But, don't give up on the Wildcats yet! They marched back with 5:41 left on the clock and Owens connected with Cody Clayton for six more points and a successful PAT. The score was 39-33.

With an explosive offense in Whitehouse a failed on-side kick by our Wildcats, failed to work and Whitehouse had the ball on their own 49 yard line 1st and 10. A series of penalties by Whitehouse and a "game turning" recovered fumble by Timmons, things were looking up for Sulphur Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owens connected with Daniels for an impressive run that put the Wildcats at the 36 yard line, and in position to score. Daniels moved up the middle to the 29 yard line and the next play managed to capture enough for a first down. 3:58 remained on the clock and Owens pulled a "quarterback keep" that carried the ball to the 6 yard line. Whitehouse held and Daniels next play only made it back to the line of scrimmage (3:30 is on the clock and the stands are wild!).  Another, hand-off to Daniels got the ball to the 4 yard line and the clock says 2:41. With third down and 4, Owens once again gives to Daniels and he manages to get across the goal line. The score is 39-39!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With pressure mounting, Arellano's PAT sails between the uprights and the scoreboard reads 40-39, with 2:35 on the clock! With an explosive offense like Whitehouse, folks it wasn't over yet, with plenty of time for them to score. Whitehouse makes it back to the 35 yard line on the return, with 2:26 left on the clock.  But, talk about "Mojo" the Wildcats recover a Whitehouse Taylor fumble, on the 25 yard line when Sean Hoffman captured the loose ball!

The Sulphur Springs Wildcats, with the clock reading 1:25, held on to the ball among a series of Whitehouse time-outs to try to stop the clock, and Owens finally "took the knee" and ended the grinding effort by both teams!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wildcats will travel to Paris, next Friday night. And, may be playing without injured Kody Chester, who received a leg injury in Friday night's match-up.

 

Sulphur Springs Wildcats 40 -

Whitehouse 39!!!

 

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