WCHS Wildcats Fall Hard to McKenzie

The WCHS Wildcats gave up 527 yards of offense to the McKenzie Rebels to fall hard in a mercy rule shortened game Friday. The 'Cats were unable to move the ball and trailed, 46 – 0, at halftime. They lost by the final score of 60 – 0. The Wildcats will try to bounce back this week as they host Collinwood on Friday in a key region game with playoff status on the line. The game will be a “Pink Out” affair, with funds raised by the Waynesboro Quarterback Club and local donations from both Waynesboro and Collinwood to be given to the Ladies in Pink Society.

The opening series saw the 'Cats unable to move the ball and forced to punt. McKenzie got the ball at the 50 after a short punt and went the 50 yards in 4 plays for the opening score. A 21-yard pass play scored the touchdown, and the extra point made the margin 7 – 0 with 8:47 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats failed to move the ball and went 3 plays and punt on the next 5 series, losing 21 yards total in the process. McKenzie scored touchdowns on every possession after the punts, to lead 39 – 0 with 7:44 left in the first half. The Wildcat offense did manage to put together a 69-yard, 11-play drive that ended with a turnover on downs at the Rebel 11 with 3:02 left before the half. McKenzie went the 89 yards in 5 plays for another touchdown, to lead 46 – 0 at the half.

In the second half, the Rebels scored on the opening possession to up the lead to 53 – 0, and then picked off a Wildcat pass to set up their final score of the night. The running clock shortened the game, and they scored on a 77-yard run to make the final score 60 – 0.

Offensive stats show that the 'Cats managed 65 yards rushing and 72 yards passing on the night. Avery Vaughn carried the ball 10 times for 29 yards. Drew Baugus had 4 carries for 5 yards and was 6 of 14 passing for 72 yards with an interception. Case Butler had one carry for -1 yard, and Cayden Castleman ran once for 3 yards. Mason Moore had 5 carries for 14 yards, with T. C Kelley carrying the ball 3 times for 7 yards.

Dacota Solway had 4 carries for 12 yards, and Daylan VanFleet had one carry for -4 yards. VanFleet caught 5 passes for 64 yards, and Caysen Mosley had one catch for 8 yards.

McKenzie scored on 5 pass plays and had 4 rushing touchdowns. The pass plays covered 21, 40, 48, 36, and 17 yards with the rushing touchdowns covering 44, 25, 6, and 77 yards.

They piled up 324 yards passing and 203 yards rushing. The defense was led by Jacan Floyd with 5 tackles and an assist. Preston Skaggs had 4 tackles and 2 assists, with Ethan Dingus tallying 4 tackles and an assist. Avery Vaughn had 2 tackles and 2 assists, and Daylan VanFleet had 3 tackles and an assist. T. C. Kelley had 3 tackles and an assist, and Stan Ullman had 3 assisted tackles. Case Butler had a tackle and a tackle for a loss. Caysen Mosley had 2 tackles, and Brayson Harris had a tackle and an assist. Mason Moore and Bryson Bonee each had a tackle, and Jaxon Bryant, Cayden Castleman, Landen Smotherman, Kaleb Gross, and Gage Mathis each had an assist.

The Wildcats will conclude their regular season schedule Friday night at home against the Collinwood Trojans. This is a big game for the Wildcats. They stand at 3 – 6 on the year. Come out and cheer the 'Cats on as they work toward the playoffs and play to give support to cancer survivors in the “Pink-Out” game. “BOUNCE BACK WILDCATS!”----Submitted by Susan Gallian