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Running back Malachi Roland crashes into a defender in the home game against Crandall in earlier action. The sophomore had 42 rush yards on nine carries against the top-ranked Ennis Lions. Fellow running back JJ Hall had the same amount. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
Drop to 0-5
ENNIS - The Sulphur Springs Wildcats traveled to Ennis Friday to take on the No. 9 ranked Lions. The Wildcats went into the game looking to pick up their first win of the season, and snap Ennis’ four-game winning streak.
Sulphur Springs got off to a slow start, allowing Ennis to build a huge lead for themselves in the opening quarter. Thanks to a safety and three touchdowns, the Lions entered the second quarter leading 23-0. Keeping their momentum going, the Lions added another three touchdowns in the second quarter to push their lead to 44-0 at the end of the first half.
Sulphur Springs was able to slow Ennis down a ton in the second half, as they held them to just a field goal in the third quarter. After not being able to find much offense for themselves, their offense came to life in the final frame.
Junior wide receiver CJJ Williams found the end zone first for the Wildcats, running in a short fouryard run to get Sulphur Springs on the board. Later in the quarter senior Weston Fields caught his only pass of the day, a 56-yard bomb in which he found the end zone as well, bringing the final score to 47-14.
Junior quarterback Matthew Mitchell ended the day with 120 passing yards, completing 12 of his 17 attempts. He also had a pair of touchdowns and one interception.
The leading rushers for the Wildcats were senior JJ Hall and sophomore Malachi Roland, who each finished the day with 42 yards. Hall did so on 10 carries, while Roland did so with just nine.
Fields and Williams were the two leading receivers for Sulphur Springs. Not only did each of them have touchdowns, but Fields led with 56 yards, while Williams was next with 30 yards.
Defensively it was junior Riley Hammons who once again led the team in tackles with seven. Junior David Campbell tied Hammons’ with seven tackles, one of which was the lone tackle for loss in the game.
Senior safety Korderrion Turner and junior Nick Cantillo were next with six tackles each, while Colt Sillman and Brayden Morris each had five tackles. Sillman also had a pair of pass deflections as well as one fumble recovery.
The loss drops Sulphur Springs’ record to 0-5 to open the year, and 0-2 in district play. The Wildcats have a bye this week and will have the chance to regroup for the second half of the season.
Their next game is Friday, Oct. 8 when they host Royse City. As of press time Tuesday Rosye City is 5-0 and entered Week 5 ranked just outside the top-25. Kickoff for that game is set for 7:30 p.m.