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Dominic Dechant (32) for Lucas Lovejoy runs into a wall of Sulphur Springs junior varsity defenders (dark uniforms) during Thursday home sub-varsity football play at Gerald Prim Stadium. The visiting Leopards rallied late to win 29-20, while the Sulphur Springs ninth grade won their game, 42-14, at Lucas. Photo by Don Wallace
Sulphur Springs | Football
Sulphur Springs teams split Thursday night sub-varsity games played on two different turf gridirons.
The Wildcat ninth grade team won 42-14 on the road at Lucas Lovejoy, while the Sulphur Springs junior varsity lost at home, 29-20.
In the junior varsity contest, fans at Gerald Prim Stadium got their money’s worth in a game thriller that was finally decided in the fourth quarter.
The visiting Leopards rallied late to score the final 10 points of the contest.
Leopard quarterback Austin Gonzalez was the hero for the visitors, throwing four touchdown passes. Gonzalez went to work early and guided a scoring drive.
The Leopards capped the drive when Gonzalez threw a 22-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Drew Turner. The try for an extra point failed, but with 5:30 to go in the first frame, the visitors drew first blood, taking a 6-0 lead.
As action shifted to the second quarter, the Wildcat defense came up, stopping a Leopard’s drive on the Wildcats’ 5-yard line.
The hometown team got their offense in high gear driving 95 yards in 12 plays. Big plays on the drive were six straight runs by Brenden Fink for 71 yards and four first downs. Jesse Bailey ran wide twice for short gains.
Running back Justin Richards moved directly behind the center and took snaps from a hybrid formation. Richards ran for 11 yards, and then capped the scoring drive with a 2-yard scoring run.
Josh Tavera tackled on the point after kick, and with 3:46 left in the first half, the Wildcats edged ahead 7-6.
Gonzalez came back and, on fourth and goal, threw another scoring pass to Turner. The try for a kick failed, but the Leopards had regained the lead at 12-7.
The Wildcats rallied back to regain the lead before the half.
Sam Wilks scored on 5-yard run in the second frame. The touchdown was set up by a 44-yard completion from quarterback Matthew Sherman to Weston Fields.
Following the Tavera point after boot, the Wildcats took a 14-12, which they took to the locker room at the half.
The teams got tough on defense in the third frame.
The only touchdown in the third period came on a 5-yard scoring pass from Gonzalez to Taiden Connor. Action moved to the final quarter with the visitors holding a 19-14 advantage.
Teams traded defensive stands before the Wildcats got the ball back after a short punt by the Leopards.
Sulphur Springs got a perfect pass from Sherman to Weston Fields for a 40-yard scoring connection to go up 20-19 with 4:32 remaining.
Penalties were called on the following 2-point conversion by the Wildcats. The flags negated the play and forced the home team to kick off from the 12-yard line as they gave the ball back to the Leopards.
Gonzalez came back with a late scoring toss to Adam Pool and a 2-point conversion pass to Turner, as the Leopards went up 27-20.
A late safety with 1:45 remaining by Lucas Lovejoy sealed the 29-20 win for the visitors.
Coaches said Wyatt Smithson, Sam Wilks, Langston Bridges and Bryton Ruhter played well on defense.
On the road Thursday, the Wildcats had a stellar outing taking a one-sided win in ninth grade competition.
Sulphur Springs took at 41-14 win over Lucas Lovejoy.
“On offense, Matt Mitchell accounted for four touchdowns last night. Landon Fields and C.J. Williams both had good games. On defense, the line of Shaun Dial, Gavia Gerald, Nick Cantillo amongst others, shut down the running game and played really well. Brayden Morris and Logan Caton also played good games on the defensive side of the ball,” said Jason Meskimen, freshmen football coach.