Wildcats Defeat Wright City and improve to 3-0: By Alan Brake

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R-2 FOOTBALL WILDCATS’ BEAT WRIGHT CITY 43-9;

IMPROVE RECORD TO 3-0

The Montgomery County R-2 Wildcats football team improved its 2012 record to 3 wins and 0 losses, as the Wildcats defeated the Wright City Wildcats 43-9 last Friday night, September 7.  This was also an East Missouri (EMO) Conference game, and R-2 improved its conference record to 2-0.

Wright City started the game on offense, but on the first play of the game Wright City fumbled the ball and R-2 recovered it on the WC 22 yard line.  However, R-2 was unable to capitalize on the turnover as a penalty stalled the drive.  Neither team threatened to score the rest of the first quarter.

Montgomery County gained possession of the ball at Wright City’s 35 yard line early in the second quarter.  On the third play of the drive, Nick Martin broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run with 11:18 left in the quarter.  Luke Longstreet successfully kicked the extra point to give R-2 a 7-0 lead.

Then with Wright City in possession of the ball and 10:02 left in the second quarter, lightening was seen in the stormy skies southeast of the field.  The game was stopped and the players and fans were made to leave the field and the stands for at least 30 minutes.  More lightening during the delay led to a delay of 45-60 minutes.

When the game restarted, Montgomery County gained control of the game on both defense and offense.  The defense stopped Wright City on its next two drives, while the offense scored on both of its next two drives.  The first touchdown came on a 5-yard run by Dylan Skeens and Longstreet kicked the extra point to make the score 14-0 with 6:57 left in the second quarter.  The second touchdown came on a 10-yard run by Martin with 2:00 left in the half.  Longstreet kicked the extra point to make the score 21-0.

Wright City didn’t let down and quickly moved the ball downfield, trying to score a touchdown before the half ended.  But the R-2 defense was able to stop Wright City on the 1 yard line, as time ran out to end the half and R-2 kept its 21-0 lead. 

R-2 got the ball to start the third quarter, but did not continue the good execution of plays that they had in the second quarter.  As a result, R-2 had to punt the ball while inside their own 20 yard line.  Wright City was able to block the R-2 punt and ball rolled back through the back of the end zone for a safety (2 points) to make the score 21-2. 

After the safety, R-2 had to kick the ball to Wright City.  Wright City was able to move the ball down the field successfully, and with 4:00 left in the third quarter WC scored a touchdown on a 9-yard run by Matt Dollard.  Ben Randolph kicked the extra point to close the gap to 21-9, which was the score at the end of the quarter.

Montgomery County had driven the ball down the field during that last 4 minutes of the third quarter and continued to do so in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter.  That drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Evan Milner, with 10:07 left in the game.  Milner also scored on the 2-point extra point attempt to make the score 29-9.

The R-2 defense stiffened the rest of the game and kept Wright City from even getting a first down, let alone a score.  The offense was successful on its last two possessions to put the game away. 

The first drive ended with Martin’s third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run with 6:40 left in the game.  The 2-point extra point attempt was unsuccessful, to make the score 35-9.  The final drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Milner to Skeens, with 4:10 left in the game.  Those same two players connected on the 2-point extra point attempt to make the score 43-9, which was the final score of the game.

Offensive team stats for Montgomery County were as follows:  267 yards rushing on 46 carries; 3 of 8 passes completed for 14 yards; 17 first downs; 6 penalties for 50 yards; and 0 turnovers.  Wright City’s stats were as follows:  153 yards rushing on 42 carries; 2 of 6 passes completed for 30 yards; 12 first downs; 7 penalties for 64 yards; and 3 turnovers (all fumbles).

R-2’s individual offensive stats were as follows:

Rushing:  Martin 96 yards on 15 carries; Skeens 48 yards on 5 carries; Milner 47 yards on 13 carries; Justin Hall 24 yards on 1 carry; Jackson Bishop 21 yards on 4 carries; Daven Sublette 17 yards on 1 carry; Jerad Jordan 6 yards on 4 carries; Longstreet 5 yards on 1 carry; and Kyle Kroll 1 yard on 2 carries.

Passing:  Milner completed 3 of 8 passes for 14 yards.  The receivers were Hall for 8 yards; Colt Ellis for 5 yards; and Skeens for 1 yard.

Scoring:  Martin 18 points (3 TDs); Skeens 14 points (2 TDs and a 2-point EP); Milner 8 points (1 TD and a 2-point EP); and Longstreet 3 points (3 1-point EP Kicks).

R-2’s individual defensive stats were as follows:

Martin 12 tackles (7 solo tackles/5 assisted tackles); Ellis 9 tackles (5 solo/4 assisted) and 1 fumble recovery; Zeke Theissen 7 tackles (4 solo/3 assisted); Skeens 6 tackles (4 solo/2 assisted); Aaron Henke 5 tackles (2 solo/3 assisted); Jake Kent 4 tackles (3 solo/1 assisted) and 1 fumble recovery; Evan Forrest 4 tackles (3 solo/1 assisted); Jordan 4 tackles (2 solo/2 assisted); Sam Kroll 4 tackles (1 solo/3 assisted); Codey Guile 3 tackles (1 solo/2 assisted); Bishop 2 tackles (1 solo/1 assisted) and 1 fumble recovery; Rodney Bernat 2 tackles (1 solo/1 assisted); John Hager 2 tackles (1 solo/1 assisted); and Dustin Dyer, Clayton Schlanker and Hall with 1 solo tackle each.

R-2’s individual special team stats were as follows:

Kickoffs – Longstreet 8 kicks for 291 yards.

Punts – S. Kroll 2 punts for 17 yards and 1 punt blocked.

Kick Returns – Martin 2 returns for 63 yards.

Punt Returns – Ellis 1 return for 62 yards.

This Friday, September 14, the Wildcats host the Orchard Farm Eagles at Jim Blacklock Field.  The game starts at 7:00 p.m.  This should be an exciting game as Orchard Farm is also undefeated (3-0) this season.  Since Orchard Farm has moved from the EMO Conference to the Gateway Athletic Conference this season this is not a conference game. 

Congratulations to the Wildcats on a great start.  Best wishes for continuing that success as you face Orchard Farm.  See you at the game Friday night.