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TAKING DOWN — Austin Chaney (3) and Alex McCormick (24) combine to tackle an Anna player during Friday's game. Chaney recorded seven tackles, while McCormick recorded 10 tackles in the Wildcats' 30-16 loss. Photos by DJ Spencer -
FOOT RACE — Skyler Lewis (6) races down the field after catching a pass during Friday's game. Lewis hauled in three passes for 29 yards in the Wildcats' 30-16 loss.
Finish second in district
ANNA — With a district championship on the line, the Sulphur Springs Wildcats traveled to Anna Friday for a showdown with the Anna Coyotes at Coyote Stadium. Despite the Wildcats leading 16-3 early on in the game, the Coyotes would score 27 unanswered points to win 30-16, relegating the Wildcats to second place in district.
The Coyotes would win the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Wildcats the ball to start the game. The Wildcats’ first drive resulted in a three and out, forcing them to punt.
The Coyotes’ next drive began with a 10 yard run. After that, their drive stalled out, and they turned the ball over on downs.
The Wildcats’ next drive would feature a steady run game, with good runs from Cameron Jefferson and Brady Driver. This was followed by 18 and 13-yard catches by Skyler Lewis.
After a false start, the Wildcats got good field position with a defensive holding penalty. Two plays later, the Wildcat scored on a three-yard touchdown run by Driver. Driver would then rush for a two-point conversion, giving the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.
The Coyotes’ next drive featured a steady run game, as well as a productive passing attack. Though they made it close to the end zone, the Wildcats’ defense held them to a 33-yard field goal, as Sulphur Springs still led 8-3.
After the kickoff, the Wildcats ran one more play to end the first quarter, holding an 8-3 lead.
The second quarter began with two short runs. This was followed by a defensive pass interference, giving the Wildcats excellent field position.
After another first down, a 22-yard run by Malachi Roland would improve their field position. This was followed by another first down.
After a defensive unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the Wildcats would score again on a three-yard touchdown run by Driver. Driver would then connect with Jaxson Haire for a two-point conversion, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 16-3.
The Coyotes would then embark on a long drive, highlighted by 24 and 23 yard catches. Eventually, they capped off a nine-play drive with a three-yard touchdown catch. A successful extra point cut the Wildcats’ lead to 16-10.
The Wildcats got one more drive before halftime. But after failing to move the ball, they opted to kneel out the rest of the clock, taking a 16-10 lead into halftime.
The third quarter began with the Coyotes on offense. After a pair of runs, their field position improved with a face mask penalty on the Wildcats. This was followed by a 14 yard catch.
Three plays later, the Coyotes scored on a two-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point gave the Coyotes a 17-16 lead.
The Wildcats’ following drive started with a short run. After a holding penalty, the Wildcats committed a costly mistake when Driver threw an interception, which the Coyotes returned to the three-yard line.
Three plays later, the Coyotes scored again in a five-yard touchdown run. They would miss the extra point, however, as they extended their lead to 23-16.
The Wildcats failed to move the ball on their next drive, forcing them to punt. The Coyotes would then gain a first down right away on their next drive. However, the drive would stall, and they were forced to punt as well.
After a pair of short runs, the Wildcats gained a first down after a 17-yard catch by Wyatt Watson. After a few short runs, the third quarter ended, with the Coyotes on top 23-16.
The fourth quarter started with the Wildcats turning the ball over on downs, as their drive stalled out.
The Wildcats would get the ball back right away when Larren Vaughn intercepted a pass. However, their offense once again failed to moved the ball down their field, turning the ball over on downs once again.
The Coyotes would then go on a long 10-play drive, which was capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point increased their lead to 30-16.
The Wildcats would get one more drive, but failed to produce any results, turning the ball over on downs. The Coyotes would then kneel the ball to end the game, winning district and handing the Wildcats a 30-16 loss.
Driver complete six of 14 passes for 50 yards, throwing no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 21 times for 65 yards, scoring both of the Widlcats’ touchdowns.
Roland gained 37 yards on eight carries. Jefferson had 31 rushing yards on seven carries.
Lewis was the leading receiver, catching three passes for 29 yards. Watson hauled in two passes for 22 yards. Roland had one catch, which lost one yard.
On defense, Grayson Hardy was the leading tackler with 12 tackles. Alex McCormick also tallied double-digit tackles with 10. Other tacklers include Ty Bybee with nine, Austin Chaney with seven, Nathan Andrews, DaeDae Hall, and Vaughn with six each, Truth Holmes with four, Sergio Ibarra, Bo Loggins, and Zac Thomas with two each, and TJ Bolden, Alex King, and Braxton Wall with one each.
With the loss, the Wildcats end the regular season at 4-1 in district and 8-2 overall, placing second in district. They will now shift their attention to the playoffs.
The Wildcats will take on the Carter Cowboys in the Bi-District round of the playoffs, a rematch of last season’s playoff game. The game will be Friday, 7:30 p.m. at E. H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite.