Sulphur Springs won the toss and elected to receive the kickoff, but unfortunately the Wildcats fumbled the kick giving Paris the ball at the Sulphur Springs 27 yard line. Paris was able to make Sulphur Springs pay using the ground game score on a six play 27 yard drive. The extra point was got to Paris a quick 7-0 score.
After the Paris’ kickoff went out of bounds, the Cats offense picked a quick five on run by Kyshawn John. On the next play the Cats used a well designed screen pass to Ervine Iverson to pick up yards. Going back to John on the ground the Cats picked up another first. They struggled to pick up positive yards on next three plays, but on forth and long Sulphur Springs went back to Iverson on another excellently executed screen pass to move the chains. Braxton Wall scored on a quarterback keeper from the three yard line. Christobol Torres added the extra points tie the game 7-7.
Paris broke a 55 yard run first play of their second drive to score a surprising touchdown. The extra point was good to put Paris back in front 14-7.
After a nice return by Colton Privitt, John gained eight yards on a strong run off tackle to the to left. Wall added seven yards and a first down on Quarterback draw. Wall hit Jakiron Thompson on an slant. Thompson broke one tackle and took the ball the remaining 24 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good. The Cats closed the gap 14-13.
The Cats defense was able to force a 4th and short but Paris was able to pick up the necessary yards to move the chains. On the last play of the first quarter Paris gained 15 yards on the ground. The Cats slowed Paris’ quick ground game but were unable to force a forth down. Sulphur Springs forced a Paris fumble on 2nd and goal but unfortunately the Cats were not able to corral the loose ball. On 3rd and goal from the two yard line, Paris scored on a dive play. The extra point was tipped by Luke Wolmack and was no good. Midway through the second quarter the score was 20-13 Paris.
On the ensuing kickoff Iverson broke loose carrying the ball down the Paris five yard line. A holding penalty cost the Cats 10 yards on a first down. John gain five yards on a second down. Incompletion on 3rd down forced 4th down and goal from the five. A throw back to Drake White was broken up, turning the ball over to Paris.
The Cats defense held and forced a three and out. A nice punt by Paris and Sulphur Springs penalty gave the Wildcats the ball at their own 25. Two long runs by John have the Cats their third touchdown of the first half. The conversion was no good and the Cats were not able the get the snap and hold down on the extra point attempt.
Paris started their next drive at their own 36 yard line. A face mask penalty gave Paris a free first down at Sulphur Springs’ 48. Paris picked up another first down on the ground. Sulphur Springs forced a fumble as the first half ended.
The Cats executed an onside kick to perfection and took possession when Privitt came out of the pile with the ball. A long run by John was negated by an holding penalty putting the Cats long yardage situation for the remainder of the drive.
Paris took possession at midfield. cats defense forced Paris to turn the ball over on downs holding strong on 4th and 2.
A pass to Privitt across the middle picked up eght yards. On a Quarterback draw move the chains for nine more yards. Back to back incomplete passes put the Cats on 3rd and 10. John gained seven yards on third down then he gained four more on a counter play to pick up the first down. Wall took the ball around the left end with solid blocking from his receivers to gain 16 yards. Tough running by Jaylen Thompson who took the ball to the Paris one yard line. Not to be denied Thompson punched ball in on the next play. The two point conversion was no good. The Cats took their first lead of the night at 25-20.
Paris took over at their own 40. Three runs gave Paris a first down at the Sulphur Springs 48. The Cats were not able to hold on 3rd and four, and Paris move the chains again. Sulphur Springs defense stiffened and forced a fourth and one. This time the Cats held Paris to no gain. Giving the ball back to the Wildcats at their own 12 yard line.
A nifty scramble by Wall picked up and much needed first down and breathing room. The drive stalled out after that and were forced to punt. A strong punt by Wall pushed Paris back to a starting position at their own 24 yard line.
Strong pressure by Wolmack and Malachi Clayton forced an incompletion. The Wildcats forced a fumble on third down but were not able to recover. Paris attempted a fake punt on 4th down but the Wildcats sniffed out the play and stopped the Paris ball carrier well short of the line of gain. They took over on downs at the Paris 24 yard line.
Jaylen Thomson drove though the middle for 15 yards giving the Cats first and goal from the nine. A holding penalty pushed Sulphur Springs back 10 yards. John took the ball back to the nine. Wall carried the ball to the two on Quarterback draw then took it for a touchdown on the next play. The extra point was good. Putting the game out of reach 32-20 Sulphur Springs.
Submitted by : Allison Libby-Thesing
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