Kaufman’s kickoff went out of bounds giving the Cats the starting position at their own 37 yard line. The Cats came out with screen pass to Gage Gideon for a short gain. Jaylen Thompson picked up four yards. The Wildcats moved the chains with a 12 yard completion to Colten Privitt. Jaylen Thompson’s next carry went for a gain of 11, picking up another Sulphur Springs first down. After two short runs by Thomson, Gideon snagged a deflected pass to pick up seven. The Cats were not able to convert 4th and short, turning the ball over on downs.
The Kaufman Lions picked up two quick first downs on the ground. Nice tackles by Luke Wolmack and Barrett Thesing stalled the Lions drive. The Cats defense held strong on forth and five, taking the ball back on downs.
Kyshwan John gained 15 on the ground on the the Cats first play of their second drive. Staying with the hot hand, John gained six more with a a carry up the middle. After an incompletion on second down, Braxton Wall threw a interception giving Kaufman the Ball back at their own 30 yard line.
The Lions gained 35 yards on outside run. The Cats defense stiffened and forced another forth down and short, unfortunately were not able stop the Lions running game. Two plates later Kaufman punched the ball in for the first touchdown of the night. The Cats denied the two point conversion attempt to make the score 6-0 Kaufman.
Sulphur Springs started their next drive at their own 35. Not being able to gain any momentum and the Cats were forced to punt after a quick three and out.
The Wildcat’s defense put some pressure on Kaufman. Pushing the Lions back to a 3rd and 38 after a sack by Jakarion Thompson and Womack. The Wildcats fumbled the punt return handing the ball back to Kaufman. The Lions made Sulphur Springs pay scoring on a sweep to the left from 30 yards out. The two point conversion was stopped for a second time. 12-0 Kaufman mid way through the 2nd quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff the Cats fumbled the ball again giving Kaufman a short field for the second consecutive possession. The Cats forced another fourth down, but a offside penalty helped Kaufman move the chains. A huge play on first down by Thompson pushed the Lions back seven yards. On third down the Lions completed a 37 yard pass to score their third touchdown of the first half. This time the two point conversion was successful to give the Lions an comanding 20-0 lead before half time.
Sulphur Springs failed on an onside kick attempt to give Kaufman excellent starting position at midfield. The Cats’ defense came out of the locker room pumped up. Tackles by Levi Barnes and Thesing forced the Lions to turn the ball over on downs.
Thompson picked up five yards on first down. After two incompletions the Wildcats picked up a first on a Kaufman offside penalty. Taking advantage of the Lions miscue the Wildcats move the chains again on a tough 14 yard run by John. Wall completed a nice pass to Ervine Iverson taking the ball down to the one yard line. On the next three plays the Wildcats failed to gain positive yardage setting up forth and goal from the five yard line. Pass play to Gideon was broken up in the end zone, giving the ball back to Kaufman.
Kaufman moved the ball methodically down the the field. Exclusively on the ground. The Lions punched the ball in from the one to take a commanding 27-0 lead on the JV Wildcats.
The next possession the Cats started with a quick pass to Privitt for five yards. The next play was a deep go route to Iverson but was just out of his reach. Thompson gained 12 yards to move the ball into Lion territory. Feeling a little momentum, Wall completed a 21 yard slant route to Privitt. On first down Wall’s completed a short swing pass to Iverson for two yards. John ran for five yards on second down. A critical forth down completion to Drake White took the ball down to Kaufman’s six yard line. On second down Wall completed a picture perfect corner route to Iverson for the Cats’ first score of the night. Sulphur Springs converted the two point play on another Wall to Iverson connection to reducing the Kaufman lead to 27-8.
Submitted by: Allison Libby-Thesing
Written By
Christian Dicus
Christian Dicus is a Sulphur Springs, Texas native. She currently works as the Director of Operations and Content Strategist for Chad's Media LLC. As well as a photographer and contributing writer for Front Porch News.
