Wildcats Come Up Short at Richland, 21-19

The Wayne County High School Wildcats came up a couple of points short of taking a win against the Richland Raiders Friday night. A nearly scoreless first half turned into a 7 – 0 game with the 'Cats on top with six seconds remaining. Two fumbles and two interceptions were unwelcomed highlights on the night for the Wildcats, as they lost 21 – 19. The 'Cats look to bounce back Friday as they host Summertown.

Richland fumbled the ball on their first play from scrimmage, giving the 'Cats the ball at the Raider 37. They lost yardage and were forced to punt. The 'Cats pinned the Raiders back to their own 12 and held on the series, forcing a punt by Richland. The 'Cats failed to field the kick, giving the ball back, but the defense came up big, as Richland turned the ball over on downs at the Wildcat 11. The 'Cats ran 7 plays but were forced to punt again. This time Richland gave the ball up on a fumble, but again the 'Cats were forced to punt after 7 plays. The Raiders marched down the field, down to the Wildcat 20, before again being stopped on downs. The Wildcats put together a six play drive with Mason Moore going 5 yards for their first touchdown of the year. Freshman Nathaniel Hernandez came on to nail the PAT, and the 'Cats led 7 – 0, going into the half.

The second half opened on an exciting note for the Wildcats as Jacan Floyd returned the kick 41 yards to the Raider 37. The 'Cats moved down to the 28 but turned the ball over on downs. Richland was unable to move the ball and forced to punt. The 'Cats got the ball at their own 20 and ran one play, fumbling it away. Four plays later, Richland scored on a one yard run, to tie the contest at 7 all, with 4:39 left in the third. On the first play of the next series for the Wildcats, the 'Cats' pass was picked off. The Raiders turned that mistake into points, going 42 yards in 7 plays, scoring again from the one as they went up 13 – 7.

The Wildcats put together a drive of their own, going 70 yards in 6 plays. A Drew Baugus to Caysen Mosley touchdown pass of 18 yards was set up by a 26 yard run by Avery Vaughn. The PAT was no good, but the 'Cats had tied the game at 13, with 10:20 left to play. Richland answered with a 60 yard, 9 play drive, scoring with 5:11 left. They converted the 2 point conversion to make it 21 – 13. With 5:11 left, the Wildcats took the ball at their own 34 and drove down the field. A pass completion to Daylan VanFleet set the 'Cats up for another Baugus to Mosley touchdown completion. This time it covered 30 yards. The 'Cats failed to convert on the two point attempt, making the score 21 – 19 with 1:30 left. The Wildcats forced a Raider punt, getting the ball back one last time. They were backed up and on the 5th play threw the ball up for grabs which was intercepted to end the game. Final score: Richland 21 – Wildcats 19.

Avery Vaughn rushed 20 times for the Wildcats for 120 yards and had one pass reception for 13 yards. Daylan Van Fleet had 1 carry for 29 yards and 3 receptions for 21 yards. Mason Moore had 3 carries for 11 yards. Case Butler had 3 carries for 9 yards. Weston Todd had one catch for 5 yards. Drew Baugus was 8 of 17 for 98 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He rushed 4 times for 12 yards. Caysen Mosley had 2 receptions for 48 yards with 2 touchdowns.

The Wildcat defense allowed 174 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. Richland was 4 of 12 passing for 70 yards. The defense was led by Briar Hampton, Jacan Floyd, Brayson Harris and Daylan VanFleet with 5 tackles and 2 assists each. Mason Moore had 2 tackles and 5 assists, while Ethan Dinges had 4 tackles and 2 assists. Jaxon Bryant had 3 tackles, 3 assists, and a fumble recovery. Case Butler had 2 tackles, a tackle for a loss, 2 assists, and a fumble recovery. Caden Castleman had 4 tackles. Jagger Cruce had a tackle and 4 assists, with Landen Smotherman registering a tackle and 3 assists. Braylen Martin had a tackle and 2 assists, and Kayden Mitchell had a tackle and a tackle for a loss. Kaleb Gross, Richard Parsons, and Avery Vaughn each had a tackle, and Jayden Creasy and Stan Ullman each had an assist.

Go out and cheer the 'Cats on to a win Friday against the Eagles of Summertown. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

“GO GET 'EM WILDCATS!”----Submitted by Susan Gallian