The Waynesboro Middle School Wildcats traveled to Lynnville this past Thursday for a head to head competition with the Richland Raiders. Under the direction of first year coach Ben Gallian, the ‘Cats were looking to avenge an earlier season loss and claim the conference championship title.
Richland won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Raiders’ opening kick-off sailed over the heads of the WMS return team, and the ‘Cats recovered the ball on their own 3-yard line. Two plays later, the ‘Cats mishandled the snap and recovered the ball in the end zone for a safety. Richland led 2-0 with 7:30 left in the 1st quarter. WMS was able to regain possession with a Brady Stooksberry recover on the next kick-off. The ‘Cats offense would drive down the field but would eventually turn the ball over on downs. Richland was able to put together a drive and went all the way to the Wildcat 11-yard line. Defensive lineman Baker Bryant made 3 consecutive tackles for loss, and Sayler Skelton made a TD saving tackle on 4th down causing the Raiders to turn the ball over on downs. The 1st quarter would end with a score of 2-0, Richland.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats then leaned on their offensive line and hard running to go 12 plays, 97-yards, exhausting all but 35 seconds of the quarter. The drive was capped off by a Skelton QB sneak from 5-yards out for a touchdown, and a Drew Bevis to Cayman Camfield pass completion for the 2-point conversion. WMS led 8-2 at halftime.
The Wildcats’ defense came up with a stop late in the 3rd quarter, and the offense leaned on the offensive line once again, putting together an impressive 16-play drive that resulted in the ‘Cats taking a knee to run out the clock. The ‘Cats did not allow Richland one offensive play in the 4th quarter. The ‘Cats would claim the championship victory with a score of 8-2.
Richland ran the ball 13 times for 61 total yards. Six of those runs resulted in a loss of yards. Richland ran 18 offensive plays as compared to WMS’ 42 total offensive plays. With the help of the strong O-line, Sayler Skelton had 24 carries for 109 yards, Drew Bevis had 10 carries for 43 yards and Cayson Castleman had 7 carries for 16 yards.
Defensively, Baker Bryant had a solo tackle, an assist, and 4 tackles for loss. Dominic Donahue had 1 solo and 3 assists. Cayson Castleman had 2 solos and an assist. Drew Bevis and Sayler Skelton had 2 solo tackles each. Case Butler and Dane Bryant had 1 assist and 1 tackle for loss each. Brayden Littleton had a solo tackle and an assist. Daniel Pike had an assist.
The 2020 WMS Wildcats finished their season with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss, and claimed the conference championship title! Go ‘Cats!!!—Submitted
