Mabank’s failed on side kick attempt gave the Cats starting field position at Mabank’s 45. But the Sulphur Springs offense failed to move the ball and turned the ball over on downs.
Mabank methodically moved the ball on the ground finally scoring on a short three yard run. The two point conversion was halted by the Cats defense to hold the score to 6-0.
On Sulphur Springs’ second possession Jaylen Thompson went to work picking up the Cats’ first down of the night with back to back hard runs. After a short pass to Drake White, the Cats went back to Thompson for another first down. A screen pass from Braxton Wall to Ervine Iverson moved the chains one more time. On the next play Keshaun John 26 picked 25 yards breaking wide around the right side. Wall scored on a quarterback keeper from the 3 yard line to tie the games. Christobol Torres was good on the extra point to put the JV out front 7-6.
The Panthers quickly got deep into Wildcats’ territory before the the Cats’ defense forced a fumble and recovery by 99. The Sulphur Springs offense took over on the 20. A couple short passes to Iverson have the Cats back to back first downs. After a five yard run by John, Wall went back to Iverson for another first down. Unfortunately Wall’s throw was an interception deep in the Panther’s end with 15 seconds left in the first half ending the Cats’ chance of adding to their lead before the half.
The opening kickoff of the second half Mabank returned the kick 75 yards for a touchdown. The Cats’ defense stopped the 2 point conversion again to hold the score to 12-7.
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Wall completed a first down pass to Iverson. Then Thompson carried two Panther defensers for another first down. Keeping on the ground then Cats picked up back to back first downs on carries by Thompson and John. Thompson punched the ball in from the five yard line. Torres was good on his second extra point attempt putting the Wildcats back out in front 14-12.
The Cats took the ball back on a fumble cause by Jakiron Thmpson and Luke Womack recovery by Barrett Thesing.
Sulphur Springs went back to work after a Mabank turnover going back to Thompson on the ground who gained two first downs. After a short gain by John and a Mabank penalty, Wall scrambled for 11 yards and a key first down. The Wildcats’ drive stalled forcing a 4th and long. The Wildcats coaches went in to the bag of tricks, Wall rolled hard to his left then threw back across the field to Thomson who took the ball across the goal line for a crucial score. Torres stayed perfect on the night making the score 21-12.
Mabank picked up a two first downs on the ground before completing a 40 yard touchdown pass. The Panthers were good on their two point conversion with a swing pass.
Ty Holt made a key recovery for the Cats on a Mabank on side kick attempt. White picked up a key first down on a 15 yard pass from Wall. Thompson barreled through the line to gain six yards, forcing Mabank to burn its first time out. On second down Thompson added another three yards and stayed in bound. The Panthers had to use their second timeout to stop the clock. On third and short Wall picked up a first down on a two yard keeper. Thompson drug several Panther defenders for 18 yards. Two more Thompson carries burned up the remaining clock sealing the wildcat win 21-20.
Submitted by: Allison Libby-Thesing
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Written By
Tyler Lennon
Tyler Lennon is the sports editor for Front Porch News and Chad’s Media. Previously with the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, Lennon has now covered sports in Hopkins County for four years. He also covers the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers and has media credentials for both the Rangers and the Mavericks.
On top of his writing, Lennon is also the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Chad’s Media. He has been the lead broadcaster for Sulphur Springs football, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and more.
He is also the host of the sports talkshow Down & Out on Chad’s Media, along side Korey Hankins and Ryan Humphries. You can follow Down & Out on all social medias @Downandout903
