WCHS Wildcats Fall Hard at Perry County

The WCHS Wildcats mishandled two first half kicks and also turned the ball over on an interception and a fumble and found themselves down 34 – 7 on the road at Perry County Thursday night. The Wildcats gave up another fumble in the second half as they saw Perry County put 54 points on the board. They fell by the final score of 54 – 23. The 'Cats are now 3 – 4 on the year and travel to a talented Cornersville Bulldog team this week.

The opening drive covered 44 yards in 8 plays before the Wildcats were stopped on downs. They gave the ball up at the Viking 21. On the first play of the Perry County possession, the Vikings connected on a 79 yard touchdown pass. They were successful on the 2-point conversion to make the score 8 – 0 with 7:38 left in the first quarter. Perry County kicked a squib kick which was not fielded by the 'Cats on the ensuing kick-off, giving them the ball back at midfield. The Wildcat defense came up with an interception by Jagger Cruce. The 'Cats were unable to move the ball and forced to punt. Perry County took control at their own 17 yard line and scored only seconds later as the Viking runner went 83 yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed, making the score 14 – 0 with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

Wayne County got the ball on the next kick-off at their own 36 yard line. Avery Vaughn broke loose on the first play from scrimmage and outran the Perry County defenders to score on a 64 yard touchdown run. Nathaniel Hernandez came on to kick the point after to make the score 14 – 7 with 3:35 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats kicked off and Perry County began their next series at their own 40. They marched down the field, scoring their third touchdown of the night on a 9 yard run. The point attempt failed, making the score Perry County 20, Wildcats 7, with 21 seconds left in the first. For the second time on the night, the Perry County team converted a perfect squib kick-off, taking the ball at mid-field. They scored three plays later, going in on a 25 yard touchdown pass. Again, the point was missed, making the score 26 – 7, with 10:58 left on the second quarter clock.

The Wildcats threw an interception on the next series, giving the ball up deep in their territory. Perry County was forced to give it back on downs just four plays later, but the defensive stand went for naught, as the offense gave it back 2 plays later on a fumble. Perry County turned that into another touchdown and converted the 2-point conversion to make the halftime score, 34 – 7.

The second half saw the Vikings march 15 plays, covering 63 yards to score again on the opening drive. They converted the two points to make the score 42 – 7 with 5:33 left in the third. The Wildcats answered quickly as Avery Vaughn broke a 68 yard run. The 'Cats went for two with Vaughn carrying it in to make the score 42 – 15. Perry County scored again three minutes later on a 9 yard pass play. The conversion failed to make it 48 – 15. Again the 'Cats answered, this time on a Drew Baugus to Case Butler pass on the fourth play of the drive. It went for 19 yards. Mason Moore carried the ball in for the conversion to make the score 48 – 23. Perry County scored again with 8:22 left to up the margin to 54 – 23, and the Wildcats fumbled again. Final score Perry County 54, Wildcats 23.

Avery Vaughn carried the ball 8 times for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a two-point conversion and caught a pass for 9 yards. Drew Baugus was 11 of 23 passing for 158 yards and one touchdown and one interception. He ran 3 times for 8 yards. Mason Moore had 3 carries for 20 yards and a two-point conversion run. Case Butler carried the ball one time for -5 and had a touchdown reception for 19 yards. Daylan VanFleet had one carry for -4 yards and 6 catches for 77 yards. Cayden Castleman had one carry for 5 yards. Jacan Floyd had 2 catches for 10 yards, and Caysen Mosley had one reception for 43 yards.

The Wildcat defense gave up almost 400 yards of offense and 8 touchdowns on the night. Knox Bunch led the team in tackles with 6 tackles, 4 assists, and a tackle for a loss. Cayden Castleman had 4 tackles and 6 assists. Jagger Cruce made 6 tackles with an assist and intercepted a pass. Jacan Floyd and Daylan VanFleet each had 5 tackles with 3 assists, and Ethan Dinges tallied 6 tackles. Jaxon Bryant had 2 tackles and 4 assists. Mason Moore made 3 tackles and had an assist, while Case Butler had a tackle, 2 assists, and knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Kayden Mitchell had 2 tackles and an assist, and Braylen Martin had a sack and 2 assists. Wyatt Morris had 2 tackles, and Keeton Green had 2 assists. Jayden Creasy had a tackle and an assist, and Avery Vaughn, Drew Baugus, Briar Hampton, T C Kelley, Kaleb Gross, and Stan Ullman each had a tackle. Casey Franks and Barrett Gallian each had an assist.

Follow the 'Cats as they travel to face an undefeated Cornersville team (7 – 0). Game time is 7:00 pm Friday night. “WORK HARD WILDCATS!”---Submitted by Susan Gallian