Bobcats Pump Oilers

The game in Oiler Stadium last Friday was a classic HD versus WH rivalry. The first half ended in a 0 - 0 tie, and both teams were frustrated that they had not fared better. When HD shut down the Oilers on downs in the opening second-half possession, the needed spark appeared. That spark was sophomore quarterback Levi Wallace.

He had spent most of the first half on the sideline as Dawson Victorian had played QB. With Wallace under center, the Bobcat offense took control of the game. He tossed the ball to Victorian, who scampered over the right side and down the sidelines 43 yards for the first TD. One play, One TD. With the 2 point PAT by Victorian, it was 8 - 0.

The Oilers’ offense was ineffectual on the following possession, and the ‘Cats scrimmaged from the Oiler 45. Again, Wallace pitched to Victorian, who used the hole opened on the right side and scooted 45 yards to paydirt. With his PAT, it was 16 - 0. No doubt that momentum had set up shop with the Bobcats.

The first quarter had been an exchange of possessions by both teams giving the ball up on downs.

It wasn’t until 10:36 in the second quarter that West Hardin managed to punt the ball. HD and WH spent the remainder of the second quarter continuing to exchange possession via fumbles and downs.

When Victorian scored his second TD at the 7:23 mark of the third quarter, the Oilers scrimmaged from their 30 and punted after failing to make the first down. HD took the ball at their 35 and commandingly drove it to the end zone. On a sweep to the left, Victorian cut back and weaved his way the last 31 yards for his third TD. The PAT failed, and it was 22 - 0.

The Oiler offense scrimmaged from the 45 on the kickoff after an HD penalty, but again were ineffective handing possession to HD four plays later at the Oiler 43. Senior running back Jeremiah Loften had the ball stripped at the 42, giving possession back to the Oilers.

As proof of good fortunes, though, Loften redeemed his error by snatching a WH pass at the 25. HD was back in business.

Loften took a hand-off three minutes later and jetted through the hole on the left side for a 41- yard score. Victorian was successful on the PAT, and it was 30 - 0 with 8 minutes left to play.

West Hardin completed their only successful drive of the game on the next possession to make it 30 - 6. HD then ran out the clock.

HD’s offense covered 344 yards on 48 plays, averaging 7.2 yards per play. Most of that was on the ground. Loften had the only complete pass of the night when he reached Victorian on a 21 yarder. Victorian led the ground attack with his 249-yard effort on 27 carries and 3 TDs. Loften covered 77 yards on 9 carries and 1 TD. Cayden Anders chipped in 20 yards in the evening.

Iaac Garcia led the ‘Cats with 8 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss. Loften had 5 tackles, 2 assists and the interception. Conner Drake was a formidable presence with 2 tackles, an assist, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 disruptions. Victorian scored 5 tackles, 2 assists, and 1 ‘big hit.’ The Oilers had lined up to punt on a 4th and 10; however, Victorian and company sniffed the fake.

He came up from his punt receiving position to hit the receiver just as the ball arrived. Fans throughout the stadium heard that ‘pop.’ Damien Guzman had 2 tackles, 2 assists, and 2 tackles for a loss.

Junior Nian Beck had 5 tackles and 2 assists, while Anders had 4 tackles. Senior Terrance Haskins got in on the act with 2 tackles, an assist, and 2 tackles for a loss. Collin Alverson had 2 tackles and a couple assists. Slade Ford, Gavin Gay, and John Ypma each had tackles.

Tomorrow the Bobcats host Houston Kipp Academy at 7:30. The game will be broadcast on HDLiveradio.net.