The Wildcats fielded JV and Varsity teams in 7 on 7 action Thursday, May 23, against teams from Van and Commerce in the Multipurpose Building. The Wildcats varsity lost to Van, 27-17 and then defeated Commerce, 24-21.
Against Van, the Wildcats varsity got off to a bad start. Quarterback Kaden Wallace’s very first pass bounced off the receiver and was intercepted by a Vandal to give Van a 3-0 lead. A short time later, Van scored a touchdown to go up,10-0. On the Wildcats fourth possession, quarterback Noe Ponce led the Wildcats to the end zone. Ponce completed four of six passes with number four going to receiver Brycen Lacy for a touchdown to make it a 10-7 game. Van scored a touchdown to make it a 17-7 game. With Van hoping to increase their lead, Wildcats defender Kylan Wade picked off a Vandal pass to make it a 17-10 ballgame. The Wildcats later threatened to tie the score but bogged down near the end zone turning the ball over on downs. Then Van scored to go up 24-10. Later Ponce led the Wildcats on another scoring drive. He completed two of three passes and found Wade open in the end zone for a touchdown and it was 24-17. Late in the game, with the Wildcats hurrying to try and tie the game, Van got a clinching interception right before the horn making the final Van 27, the Wildcats 17.
Against Commerce, Wallace led the Wildcats to the end zone on their second possession of the game. His short TD pass went to Zach Tiemeyer. Wallace hit 4 of 5 passes on the drive. Commerce came right back to score and make it a 7-7 game. Then Lacy, playing on defense, intercepted a Tigers’ pass to give the Wildcats a 10-7 lead. Wallace again led the Wildcats to the end end zone completing two of two passes. The second found Lacy all alone behind the defense and he cruised into the end zone to give the Wildcats a 17-7 lead. Commerce again rallied and scored to cut the Wildcats lead to 17-14. Wallace was perfect on a late drive hitting four passes in four attempts. The last one was to Wade in the end zone and the Wildcats were up, 24-14. Commerce got a late score just seconds before the end of the game and it ended Wildcats 24, Commerce 21.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young called it a win for the day with so many new faces getting reps. He said he checks the game video to see a receivers percentage of making catches and running proper routes. Coach Young wants to see a receiver grade out with at least 95% for both. The Wildcats JV also defeated Commerce but lost to Van. Their quarterbacks are Matthew Sherman and Ty Stroud. The Wildcats varsity will face very stiff competition in their next tournament at SMU on May 31.
