The Wayne County High School Wildcats used a stingy defense to take their first football win of the year as they shut out the South Fulton Red Devils, 14 – 0. The ‘Cats gave up 84 yards of total offense and scored on their first two possessions of the game to take their first win of the year. The Wildcats go back on the road this week as they travel to Bruceton/Hollow Rock for region competition. They now stand at 1 – 3 on the year.
The ‘Cats’ defense allowed only 6 yards on the first South Fulton possession, forcing a punt. They got the ball at their own 43, and put together a 57 yard, 7 play drive which was capped off with a Cade Crews to Clay Baugus touchdown pass for 29 yards. Baugus carried the ball in on the 2-pt. conversion to put the ‘Cats on top, 8 – 0, with 3:53 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing kick, Wildcat Damian Dickey came up with a fumble recovery, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Red Devil 35 yard line.
It took five plays for the ‘Cats to convert the turnover into 6 points as Cade Crews connected with Hunter Staggs on a four yard touchdown pass. The conversion attempt failed, making the score 14 – 0. Just before the half, Jonmikel Lynn came up with a fumble recovery, but time ran out in the first half.
In the second half, the ‘Cats were unable to put any more points on the board, but the defense came up with a couple of interceptions to seal the win. Clay Baugus picked off a Red Devil pass with 5:30 left in the third quarter, and then his second interception of the half came at the 1:14 mark of the fourth. The ‘Cats threatened to score midway through the fourth as they went 68 yards in 7 plays, before being stopped at the South Fulton 10 on downs.
Clay Baugus had a big night receiving with 88 yard on three catches and one touchdown. He had the 2-pt conversion run, and rushed 2 times for 6 yards. Cade Crews was 8 of 13 passing for 98 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He rushed 5 times for 31 yards. Hunter Staggs had 12 carries for 70 yards and 2 catches for 6 yards and a touchdown. Timmy Robbins had 2 carries for 16 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Julian Birchett had 13 carries for 31 yards and caught one pass for 6 yards. Austin Whitson had 6 carries for 3 yards and two pass receptions for one yard. Brock Brown had 3 carries for 16 yards. The ‘Cats totaled 113 yards on 43 carries.
The Wildcat defense came up with three turnovers on the night and limited the Red Devils to the 84 yards of offense. Hunter Staggs again led the defense with 10 tackles. Jonmikel Lynn had 4 tackles and broke up 2 passes. Brock Brown had 3 tackles, and Damian Dickey had 3 tackles and a fumble recovery. Clay Baugus had 2 tackles, broke up two passes, and had 2 interceptions. Luke Sesler, Austin Whitson, Colton Beason, and Brian Austin Carlton each had 2 tackles. Whitson also had 3 pass break-ups. Cameron Manley, Blayne Love, and David Walker each had one tackle.
Follow the Wildcats to Bruceton Friday and they open region action. “WORK HARD WILDCATS!”—Submitted
