Wildcats' season ended by Carter, 41-35

MESQUITE — The Sulphur Springs Wildcats saw their season come to a disappointing end Friday following a 41-35 loss to the Carter Cowboys in their Bi-District playoff game at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite. Despite putting up a tremendous fight, the Wildcats weren’t able to pull off the win, as the Cowboys ended their season for the second year in a row.

The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Cowboys the ball to start the game. After a pair of short runs, the Cowboys broke off a 26yard run. Three plays later, the Cowboys scored on a 25-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point gave the Cowboys a 7-0 lead.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Wildcats began their first drive with a 48yard catch by Skyler Lewis. After a four-yard catch by Lewis, a 14-yard catch by Chris Adams and a 10-yard catch by Lewis followed.

On the next play, the Wildcats scored on a oneyard touchdown run by Brady Driver. Eric Rodriguez added the extra point, as the Wildcats tied the score at 7-7.

The Cowboys’ next drive looked to stall early following a holding penalty, but a 19-yard catch and a 17-yard run followed. Eventually, the Cowboys capped off a seven-play drive with a seven- yard touchdown run. A successful extra point put the Cowboys in the lead, 14-7.

After a good kickoff return by Jaxson Haire, the Wildcats’ next drive began with a 14-yard run by Malachi Roland and an 11-yard run by Driver. Unfortunately, a fumble for a loss of yards would stall out their drive, forcing the Wildcats to punt.

Two plays later, the first quarter would come to an end, with the Cowboys on top 14-7.

The second quarter would begin with a heavy run game from the Cowboys. They would ultimately cap off a 10-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats would block the ensuing extra point, as the Cowboys extended their lead to 20-7.

The Wildcats’ next drive would start with catches from Lewis and Haire. Another big catch by Lewis and a 20-yard run from Roland would put them in good field position.

Eventually, the Wildcats capped off an eight-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Driver to Haire. Rodriguez added the extra point, trimming the Cowboys’ lead to 20-14.

After the kickoff, it only took two plays for the Cowboys to score again, when they broke off a 69-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point increased the Cowboys’ lead to 27-14.

The Wildcats started their next drive with a 17yard catch by Adams. After a steady run game, a pair of big catches by Lewis would put the Wildcats in scoring position.

They would polish off an 11-play drive with a three-yard touchdown run by Driver. Rodriguez would add the extra point, trimming the score to 27-21.

After the kickoff, the Cowboys ran one more play to end the second quarter, as they led 27-21 going into halftime.

Coming out of halftime, the Wildcats received the ball to begin the third quarter. Their drive was largely defined by Driver running the ball. They would eventually cap off an 11play drive with a five-yard touchdown run by Driver. Rodriguez then added the extra point, giving the Wildcats a 28-27 lead.

After the kickoff, the Cowboys would come up with a 32-yard run. Seven plays later, the Cowboys scored again on a six-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point would put the Cowboys on top 34-28.

The Wildcats’ following drive would start with a sixyard run from Driver. After a face mask penalty on the Cowboys, the Wildcats rattled off two more good runs.

Unfortunately, an offensive holding penalty and four consecutive incompletions would cause the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs, giving the ball back to the Cowboys. After another play, the third quarter ended, with the Cowboys on top 34-28.

As the fourth quarter began, the Cowboys would go on a long drive, as the Wildcats’ defense couldn’t slow them down. They would cap off a 13--play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point increased the Cowboys’ lead to 41-28.

The Wildcats’ next drive would start with a nineyard catch from Haire and a 26-yard catch by Adams. Along the way, the Wildcats were aided by a roughing the passer penalty.

Eventually, the Wildcats capped off a 11-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Driver. Rodriguez then added the extra point, cutting the score to 41-35.

The Cowboys would then recover an onside kick. The Wildcats’ defense was then able to get a stop, giving the Wildcats one last drive with 28 seconds left.

After getting to midfield, the Wildcats got an opportunity for a Hail Mary pass. Unfortunately, Driver’s last pass was intercepted, as the Cowboys clinched a 41-35 win.

Driver completed 20 of 26 passes for 252 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. He was also the Wildcats’ leading rusher, gaining 130 yards on 26 carries and scoring four touchdowns on the ground.

Roland would gain 62 rushing yards on 12 carries, adding a six-yard catch. Cameron Jefferson rushed twice for four yards.

Lewis was the Wildcats’ leading receiver, catching 11 passes for 128 yards. Haire hauled in four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Adams would come up with three catches for 61 yards. Kaden Mitchell caught one pass for three yards.

With the loss, the Wildcats’ season has come to an end. They end the season at 8-3 overall, finishing as district runners-up and bi-district finalists.

This would go down as the last high school football game for 19 senior Wildcats: Isaac Alexander, Mathew Archer, Kody Barclay, Austin Chaney, Driver, Iverson Ervine, Mikel Godwin, Trysten Hankins, DaeDae Hall, Tanner Haumschild, Jefferson, Bo Loggins, TJ Peters, Grayson Reams, Roland, Ridge Swafford, Zac Thomas, Brandon Vasquez, and Braxton Wall.

The Wildcats will look to improve in the offseason and make a deeper playoff run next season.