Driver throws for 275 yards, 4 TD’s
CORSICANA- The 0-6 Sulphur Springs Wildcats traveled to Corsicana Friday, looking to pick up their first win of the season. Corsicana entered the day with a 4-2 record, but just a 1-2 record in district play.
The Wildcats went with a bit of a different look this week, handing the keys to sophomore quarterback Brady Driver. After running a two-quarterback systems so far this season, the Wildcats wanted to see what their offense would look like in Driver’s hands.
The young quarterback did not disappoint, showing a preview of what was to come early in the game. Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Driver found senior receiver Weston Fields on an 81-yard touchdown pass to tie things up at 7-7. Fields went on to have a huge game for the Wildcats, having arguably his best outing of the season.
Later in the quarter, with the score still tied 7-7, Driver hit Fields again, this time on a 13-yard pass to keep the chains moving. The Wildcats capped the drive off with a nine-yard touchdown pass to junior CJ Williams to take their first lead of the game at 14-7.
Corsicana answered back with a score of their own, once again tying the game, this time at 14-14-. Looking to take their lead back for a second drive, Driver used his legs to pick up a huge gain and put Sulphur Springs in Corsicana territory. The Wildcats scored one more time before the half, going into the locker room with a 21-14 lead.
The Tigers of Corsicana found a way to tie things up in the third quarter, as the Wildcats offense went back to work, truing to pull out their first win of the season. Driver found Fields on yet another long pass, this time for 37 yards to put the Wildcats in scoring range.
Just outside of the red zone, Driver took the shot gun snap, pump faking before hitting Williams for his second touchdown of the night, this time for 24 yards, taking a 28-21 lead in the third quarter.
With a seven-point lead, it was the Wildcats defense who stepped up this time, with junior Riley Hammons coming down with an interception. The pick was his third of the season, as the Wildcats junior safety continues to find a way to make big plays.
Despite their lead and having the ball, Sulphur Springs eventually lost their lead again, as Corsicana tied things up 28-28.
In the fourth quarter and on a third-and-four situation, Driver found Williams on a first down to keep the chains moving. Sulphur Springs marched into the red zone and found themselves on the six-yard line.
With the game tied and the clock starting the wind down, Driver picked up his fifth touchdown of the day, this time with his legs, taking a 35–28 lead with less than four minutes left to go.
Corsicana came back and went 99 yards down the field, tying the game up and eventually sending it to overtime. Sulphur Springs got the ball first in the extra period but were stopped and forced to settle for a field goal.
Junior kicker Uriel Santacruz knocked down the 35-yard attempt to give the Wildcats a 38-35 lead, but it would not be enough, as the Tigers scored a walkoff touchdown, keeping Sulphur Springs winless on the season.
Making his debut as a starter, Driver had a huge game for the Wildcats, continuously putting his team in a chance to win. The sophomore quarterback finished the game by throwing for 275 yards and four touchdowns, completing 14 of his 22 passing attempts.
He was also the Wildcats leading rusher, finishing just one yard shy of the century mark and one touchdown on 16 carries, giving him 374 total yards and five total touchdowns.
Fields was the leading receiver, posting an incredible 163-yard performance. The senior also had one touchdown and team-high seven catches. Behind him was Williams who had 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five receptions.
Colt Silman had one catch, which went for 42 yards and a touchdown, while Matthew Sherman had one catch for six yards.
Sulphur Springs had a tougher day rushing the ball than usual, though senior JJ Hall did average 4.3 yards per carry. Hall had 34 yards on eight carries, while sophomore Malachi Roland had 39 yards on 12 tries.
Defensively Sulphur Springs was led by junior Brayden Morris, who had a team-high 11 tackles. Korderrian Turner, Madison Martin and David Campbell each had nine tackles each.
Hammons had yet another strong outing, racking up seven tackles and the lone turnover of the game with his interception. Defensive lineman Nick Cantillo had a total of six tackles, as well as the only sack of the game for the Wildcats.
The overtime loss is tough for Sulphur Springs, as they just missed their first win of the season. The loss drops them to 0-7 and 0-4 in district play. On the bright side, the other two 0-4 teams in their district are Greenville and North Forney, both of which remain on the Wildcats schedule.
The Wildcats will be looking to pick up that elusive first win Friday night when they host the 1-6 (0-4) Lions. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. as one of the two teams will be walking away with their first district win.