Cornersville Bulldogs Tame WCHS Wildcats, 35-22

The Wayne County High School Wildcats rushed for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns Friday night as they hosted the Cornersville Bulldogs. The 'Cats' gave up 3 interceptions, a fumble, and got a punt blocked as they lost to the Bulldogs, 35 – 22. The Wildcats now have a 3 – 5 record on the year and 1 – 2 in region action. They have the week off this Friday before traveling to McKenzie on the 24th for another region contest. The regular season will end at Collinwood on Halloween night, the 31st.

The game began with Cornersville getting the ball at their own 34. They went 7 plays, 66 yards, scoring on a 26-yard pass play. The PAT was good, and the 'Cats trailed 7 – 0 less than 4 minutes into the contest. The Wildcats took the ball and marched down to the Bulldog 10 before fumbling it back. This time the 'Cats held, forcing a punt. They moved the ball out to their own 48 but were forced to punt. The punt was blocked, giving the 'Dogs the ball at the Wildcat 8. Despite four penalties, Cornersville scored on a 3-yard run. With the PAT, the score was now 14 – 0, with 8:46 left before half.

The Wildcats put together a 60-yard drive on their next series with Case Butler scoring on a 14-yard run. Kacee Hunt made the PAT to cut the margin to 14 – 7. Cornersville answered, running 2 plays, scoring on a 4-yard run, set up by a 68-yard pass play. Again, the kick was good to make it 21 - 7. The 'Cats threw an interception on their first play of the next possession at their own 30. They held the ‘Dogs and got the ball back on a punt, but could not move and turned it over on downs as the first half clock ran down.

In the second half, the 'Cats gained only 2 yards and were forced to punt on their first series. The Bulldogs took the ball at their 28 and scored 5 plays later on a 54 run. The Bulldog kicker converted his 4th PAT and the score was 28 – 7, four and a half minutes into the 3rd. The Wildcats took the ball at their 40 and went on a 10- play, 60-yard drive, over the next 5 minutes. Case Butler found the end zone on a 1-yard run, and Kacee Hunt converted the PAT to make it 28 – 14. Cornersville answered in 3 plays, connecting on a 75-yard pass for a touchdown. With the PAT, the score was now 35 – 14.

The Wildcatst threw their second interception on the next possession, giving the ball up at their own 3. Cornersville experienced a bad snap and covered the ball in the end zone for a safety to make the score 35 – 16. The 'Cats scored again on a 2-yard run, with Case Butler going in from 2 yards out. The conversion failed, making it 35 – 22. The 'Cats got the ball back again but threw their 3rd interception of the night on the first play. Cornersville ran the clock out to take the win, 35 – 22.

Avery Vaughn rushed for 150 yards on 22 carries to lead the 'Cats. Case Butler had 93 yards on 14 carries with 3 touchdowns and was 4 of 10 passing for 44 yards and 3 interceptions. Daylan VanFleet had one carry for 1 yard and 2 receptions for 14 yards. Brayson Harris caught 2 passes for 30 yards.

The Wildcat defense gave up 181 yards passing and 2 touchdowns as the Bulldogs were 12 of 15 in the air. They rushed for 189 yards on 28 attempts. Davey Ullman led the 'Cats' defense with 9 tackles, 2 tackles for losses, and 7 assists. Brayson Harris had 4 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and an assist. Case Butler had a tackle, a tackle for a loss, and 5 assists. Daylan VanFleet had 4 tackles and an assist, and Cayden Castleman had a tackle, 2 tackles for losses, and an assist. Landen Smotherman and Jaxon Bryant each had 2 tackles and an assist. Kolby Ray had a tackle and 2 assists. Peyton Griggs, Daniel Pike, and Roby Brown each had 2 tackles. Wyatt Morris had a tackle and a tackle for a loss. Knox Bunch, Raymond Overby, and Avery Vaughn each had a tackle. Mason Moore, Keyton Green, Briar Hampton, and Braylen Martin each had an assisted tackle.

Travel and support the 'Cats as the season winds down. “WORK HARD WILDCATS!”---Submitted by Susan Gallian