WCHS Wildcats Down Summertown, Hammack's Jersey Retired

The WCHS Wildcats put together 325 yards of offense Friday night and scored 3 rushing touchdowns to defeat the Summertown Eagles, 21 – 7. The Wildcats fumbled on their first series, but then bounced back to play turnover free and ball control football the rest of the game. They are now 1 – 1 on the young season and will host McNairy Central Friday night.

The game opened with the 'Cats taking the ball at their own 37 yard line. Four plays later, they fumbled it to the Eagles at the Wildcat 35. The Wildcat defense held tough, holding Summertown to only two yards in four plays. The 'Cats took possession and marched 63 yards in 7 plays for the opening score. Avery Vaughn sprinted into the end zone from 19 yards out. The PAT was blocked, making the score 6 – 0 with 4:23 left in the first quarter.

The Wildcat defense forced the Eagles to a 3 play and punt series, getting the ball back at their own 15. Ball control was the name of the game as they covered 85 yards in 22 plays, taking almost 11 minutes off the clock. Case Butler scored from 1 yard away, and Mason Moore carried it in on the conversion to make the score 14 – 0, in favor of the 'Cats. With 2:28 left before the half, Summertown went 63 yards in 3 plays, scoring from 9 yards out at the 1:16 point of the second quarter. They hit the PAT to make the score 14 – 7. The Wildcats moved the ball down to the Eagle 18 but failed to convert the first down and turned it back over to the Eagles right before halftime.

In the second half, Summertown took possession at their own 35 and ran 13 plays before Cayden Castleman forced a fumble and came up with it at the Wildcat 15. Again, the 'Cats mounted a long drive, going 85 yards in 13 plays, taking another 8 minutes off the clock. They scored from 4 yards away, with Case Butler again taking it in. Nathaniel Hernandez hit the PAT to up the lead to 21 – 7. The Wildcat defense stopped the Eagles on downs on the next series and got the ball back with five and a half minutes left. They ran out the clock to give the 'Cats the big win. Final score: 21 – 7.

Avery Vaughn again led the Wildcat offense. He rushed for 166 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. Mason Moore had 10 carries for 27 yards, with the conversion run. Case Butler scored 2 touchdowns and had 7 carries for 15 yards. Daylan VanFleet carried the ball 3 times for 19 yards and caught 3 passes for 44 yards. Drew Baugus had 4 carries for 22 yards and was 6 of 11 passing for 75 yards. Caysen Mosley had a reception for 31 yards. Cayden Castleman had one carry for one yard.

The Wildcat defense held Summertown to 157 yards on the ground on 28 carries. The Eagles completed 3 of 7 passes for 26 yards. Case Butler led the 'Cats on defense with 6 solo tackles and a tackle for a loss. Cayden Castleman had 4 tackles with 3 assists and a fumble recovery. Daylan VanFleet had 2 tackles and 3 assists, and Jaxon Bryant had 3 tackles and 2 assists. Briar Hampton had 3 tackles and an assist, while Jacan Floyd had 3 tackles, and Ethan Dinges and Knox Bunch each had 2 tackles and an assist each. Jagger Cruce had 3 assisted tackles. Wyatt Morris had a tackle for a loss. Weston Todd, Mason Moore, and Landen Smotherman each had a tackle, and Kaleb Gross had an assist and a fumble recovery.

Come out Friday night and brave the expected heat to cheer the 'Cats on to another win. “WORK HARD WILDCATS!”---Submitted by Susan Gallian