The Wildcats descend on Early County in an old-fashioned catfight
Published at 23:09 Sunday, September 4, 2022
From staff reports
BLAKELY, GA – With less than six minutes left in the game, the Schley County Wildcats (SC) held a 17-12 lead over Early County (EC) and the SC defense was able to come up with a goal line stand, denying the Bobcats the end zone on four downs. However, on the Wildcats’ ensuing possession, they fumbled the ball at the four-yard line and the Bobcats recovered the ball. EC defender Charles Williams scored the first goal. The two-point conversion fell short, but that kick was enough to give EC a 19-17 victory over the Wildcats on Friday, September 2 at Early County High School in Blakely, GA.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Wildcats broke the deadlock first
when quarterback Jay Kanazawa threw a 14-yard pass to him
Kendall Sims with 3:50 to play before halftime. Extra points from
Miguel Yangzhou-Rueda was good and the Wildcats had a 7-0 lead.
The Bobcats had an answer, however, as Williams scored first
his two 53-yard punts come off scrimmage. Extra points from
Mason Warfield was good and the score was tied 7-7 with 11:43 to go
play in the third quarter.
The Wildcats were able to regain the lead with 8:09 left in the third
when Yanez-Rueda nailed a 30-yard field goal, but the Bobcats countered
punted with 11:15 to go in the game when Jeremiah Hutchins scored one
15 yard rush. Warfield’s extra point attempt failed, but
EC had the upper hand.
However, it didn’t take long for the Wildcats to respond. It didn’t take
much more than a minute for SC to orchestrate a drive that ended with
a nine-yard pass from Kanazawa to Luke Forehand. PAT from
Yanez-Rueda was good and the Wildcats led 17-13 with 10:16 to go.
the contest.
As this was an “old-fashioned cat fight,” the Bobcats were
ready to strike back and they were able to mount a drive that went
all the way down near the SC goal line, but the Wildcats were able to
pull off a gutsy goal-line stand, denying the Bobcats an end
area in all four descents. With less than six minutes to play,
all SC had to do was move the ball and run the clock.
However, SC punted the ball to their own four-yard line and the Bobcats
were able to recover to give themselves a second chance to get
the bullet. They were able to do so after Williams scored the second
rushing touchdown of the night from nine yards out with 5:36 to play.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they weren’t able to do it
the score came from behind and they lost to the Bobcats 19-17.
Kanazawa was 19 for 33 passing for 190 yards, two touchdowns and one
interception, while running back Malachi Banks led the Wildcats in
ground game with 20 yards on nine carries.
SC wide receiver JaLewis Solomon led the Wildcats’ receiving corps
with eight catches for 95 yards and Luke Forehand and Kendall
Sims each had a touchdown reception.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kabreon Aldridge and Carson
Westbrook led the Wildcats in faceoffs with 10 and Luke forehand had
nine tackles on the night, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
The Wildcats (1-1) will try to bounce back from the setback against EC
when they host Bleckley County on Friday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m
