Wildcats JV squad grab another win in home opener over Hallsville
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The Sulphur Springs Junior Varsity team had their first home game against, Hallsville Thrusday night. Both teams played well and traded points throughout the night.
JV defense started the game holding the Hallsville Bobcats to negative yards on the first drive. With an errand snap on their punt attempt the Bobcats turned the ball over deep in Sulphur Springs territory. The Wildcats offense made quick work scoring the initial touchdown on the ground by Dedrick Rose-Luke. Cristobol Torres’ extra point attempt was good putting the Wildcats up 7-0, three minutes into the game.
Hallsville had more success against the young Wildcat’s defense on their second drive. A combination of ground game and untimely penalties lead to the Bobcats’ first touchdown. The extra point was good tying the score 7-7.
Not to be deterred the Wildcats scored on the first play of the next drive when Kaden Mitchell connected on a deep post route to Ervine Iverson who took the ball the rest of the way for a 65 yard touchdown. Torres was good on his second point of the night.
Wildcats defense gave up yardage but held strong on fourth and ten at their own yard. Drive ending tackle was made by Levi Barnes.
On the ensuing drive Rose-Luke gained solid yards on the ground as the pairing of Mitchell to Iverson continued their success in the air. Jaylen Thompson has nice pickup on third down the move the sticks one more time. Iverson and Mitchell teamed up again for a 15 yard gain. Thomson converted another first down, keeping the chains moving. With completions to Colton Privet and Iverson, the Wildcats drove the ball inside the Bobcats’ ten. Unfortunately the Wildcats were not able to covert on forth and four and turned the ball over on downs.
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The next drive got a little chippy with multiple unsportsmanlike penalties. Hallsville had a long drive burning up most of the second quarter finally scoring on a quarterback sweep around the right side with 36 seconds left in the half. The extra point was good. Bringing the score to 14-14 at the half.
Rose-Luke started the second half as a dual threat catching a 20 yard pass from Mitchell then breaking a run for 20 yards on the next play. The Mitchell/Iverson combination went back to work picking up a quick eight yards. Christopher Adams hauled in two consecutive passes to pick 15 more yards. Quick swing pass to Rose-Luke gained another Wildcat first down. On the next play Rose-Luke took the ball down the the one, where Mitchell carried the ball in around the left side on the next play. Excellent blocking by the JV line on the opening drive of the second half allowing the team to move the ball with ease in the air and on the ground. Torres was good on the extra point for the third time.
Hallsville came roaring back on the ground with multiple long runs. The final one a 45 yard gain for the score. Extra point was good knotting the game again at 21 all.
Wildcats came out firing on the next drive with Mitchell completing another pass to Adams for 18 yards. Mitchell hit his fifth reciever of night completing a quick pass to Drake White for eight yards. On the crucial thrid and short Mitchell called his own number picking up a tough four yards on the ground for a Wildcat first down at midfield. Rose-Luke gained seven and then Thompson powered through with help of the entire Wildcats line for 12 more. Wyatt Watson made a crucial recovery of a loose ball to maintain Cats possession. Iverson added another first down on a 17 yard catch from Mitchell. Rose-Luke blasted through the line for a fast 12 yards and another first down. The offensive line overpower Hallsville clearing the way for Rose-Luke to take the ball easily from the nine yard line. Extra point attempt was wide-right making the score 27-21 Wildcats.
Wildcats defense came out strong and with tackles for loss by Barrett Thesing and Jakiron Thompson forcing Hallsville into fourth and sixth. The Bobcats elected to go for it. The attempted pass fell incomplete with pressure from the Wildcat’s defensive line.
The Wildcats offense took over on the 20. Choosing to eat up some clock the Cats kept the ball on the ground but were not able to gain much yardage forcing another fourth down. Mitchell’s attempt was intercepted in the endzone giving the Bobcats the ball back on their own 20.
Thompson came up big again sacking the Bobcat quarterback for an eight yard loss. Unfortunately Hallsville was able to fight back on two consecutive completions for a first down. On the next play Barnes sacked the quarterback again for a ten yard loss, forcing a loose ball recovered by Hallsville. An ineligible man down field penalty, nullified a gain by Hallsville. Thompson made the final tackle on a short pass to secure the Sulphur Springs victory 27-21.
Submitted by: Allison Libby-Thesing
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