Wildcats edge out Van Alstyne, 31-28

The Sulphur Springs Wildcats earned a hard fought win Friday night, edging out the Van Alstyne Panthers for a 31-28 win. Though the Panthers nearly stole the game, the Wildcats would pick up a key defensive stop toward the end of the game to preserve the win.

The Wildcats would win the coin toss and elected to receive, starting the game on offense.

The game would begin with two runs from Dee Rose-Luke and a catch by Jaxson Haire. Though their field position improved after a 15-yard catch from Wyatt Watson, Brady Driver would throw an interception immediately after, giving the ball to the Panthers.

The Panthers’ first drive resulted in a three and out, forcing them to punt.

The Widlcats’ next drive began with a 15-yard run from Driver. After a catch from Watson, Rose-Luke improved their field position with a 17-yard run.

Two plays later, the Wildcats scored the first points of the game when Driver rushed for a seven- yard touchdown. Eric Rodriguez added the extra point, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

The Panthers would mount a long drive following the kickoff. They would cap off a 10-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point tied the score at 7-7.

The Wildcats’ ensuing drive was highlighted by an 11-yard catch from Haire and a 15-yard catch from Watson. Unfortunately, on the final play of the first quarter, the Wildcats would lose a fumble, giving the ball back to the Panthers.

As the second quarter began, the Panthers would initially gain a first down. However, three consecutive incompletions would force to them to punt.

The Wildcats’ next drive featured a heavy dose of Rose-Luke and Watson. They would ultimately cap off a seven-play drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Driver to Chris Adams. Rodriguez added the extra point, as the Wildcats pulled ahead 14-7.

The Panthers appeared to be on the move on their next drive following a long catch. However, the Wildcats would get the ball back when Braxton Wall recovered a fumble.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats weren’t able to take advantage of the takeaway, and they were forced to punt.

After the Panthers returned the punt to the seven- yard line, they would score on a seven-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point tied the score at 14-14.

The Wildcats next drive began with a penalty and two incompletions. When things couldn’t get worse, Driver threw another interception, giving the ball back to the Panthers.

Three plays later, the Panthers scored again on a six-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point gave the Panthers a 21-14 lead.

The Wildcats got one more drive before halftime, and would include big catches from Haire and Watson. They would get on the board again when Rodriguez kicked a 35-yard field goal as the second quarter ended, trimming the score to 21-17 going into halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Panthers began the third quarter with a long drive. Eventually, the drive stalled out, and they were forced to punt.

The Wildcats’ next drive would feature a heavy dose of the run game. Soon after, they got great field position when Skyler Lewis caught a 48-yard pass.

Two plays later, the Wildcats pulled ahead when Driver scored on a two-yard run. Rodriguez added the extra point, as the Wildcats pulled ahead 24-21.

Two plays later, the third quarter came to an end.

The fourth quarter would see the Wildcats make another big play when Wall recovered his second fumble of the game.

On the following play, the Wildcats scored again when Driver connected with Lewis for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Rodriguez added the extra point, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 31-21.

The Panthers wasted no time on their next drive, as they were determined to stay in the game. They would cap off a nine-play drive with a four-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point cut the score to 31-28.

The Wildcats looked to close out the game on their next drive, which included a heavy run game. Unfortunately, the Panthers got the ball back when Lewis fumbled.

The Panthers got one last drive to tie or win the game. In the end, the Wildcat picked up a key stop on a fourth and short, forcing a turnover on downs.

After several short runs, Driver kneeled the ball to end the game, as the Wildcats escaped with a 31-28 victory.

Driver completed 16 of 27 passes for 248 yards, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries, adding two touchdowns on the ground. Rose-Luke was the leading rusher, gaining 114 yards on 16 carries.

Watson was the leading receiver, catching eight passes for 94 yards. Haire caught four passes for 42 yards.

Lewis finished with three catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Adams caught one pass for 14 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Alex Mc-Cormick was the leading tackler with 13 tackles, also recording a sack. Larren Vaughn also had double- digit tackles with 11.

Grayson Hardy finished with seven tackles. Other tacklers include DaeDae Hall with six, Dallin Horton and Giovanni Solis with four each, Ty Bybee, Zac Thomas, and Wall with three each, Nathan Andrews, Truth Holmes, and Barrett Thesing with two each, and Malachi Clayton and Alex King with one each.

Bybee, Hall, and Sergio Ibarra would all come up with one pass deflection each. Thomas and Wall both had one forced fumble each, with Wall recovering both fumbles.

With the win, the Wildcats are up to 3-1 on the season. Their next game is Friday, when they travel to Texarkana to face off against the Liberty-Eylau Leopards.