Offensively the Wildcats played turnover free football, scored four touchdowns including two bombs and kicked a long field goal. A mostly bend but don’t break defense forced two turnovers and stopped two Tigers drives on downs. Special teams blocked a field goal. It all added up to a Wildcats 31-14 victory over Mount Pleasant on the road on a chilly Friday night.
Mount Pleasant actually scored first on their Senior Night as I-formation back Tyke Fluellen raced 56 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers went up 7-0 at 5:41 of the first quarter. The Wildcats tied the score later in the quarter. Quarterback Ryan Humphries kept the ball around left end and scored from 11 yards out. The score was tied at 7-7 with 1:04 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats blocked a Tiger field goal attempt. The Wildcats defense forced Mount Pleasant to give up the ball on downs and cornerback Terrell Turman made a diving interception. Meanwhile using a short field due to the over on downs, the Wildcats added a touchdown. Quarterback D’Corian Young hit a wide open Austin Dodd for a 13-yard TD pass. At the half, the Wildcats led 14-7.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats defense continued to stifle the Tigers. Mount Pleasant again gave the ball up on downs and lost a fumble recovered by junior defensive lineman Michael Arrington. The Wildcats scored another ten points in the quarter. Kicker Angel Tavera booted a long 40-yard field goal. The Wildcats led 17-7 with 5:56 left in the third quarter. Quarterback Humphries then threw a bomb caught by receiver Simeon Taylor for a 48-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats were up 24-7 with just 43 second left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, quarterback Young found Taylor for a 37 yard TD pass. The Wildcats went up 31-7 with 10:47 left in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had scored 31 unanswered points. Mount Pleasant got a one yard TD run in the games last minute but it was too little, too late. The final score was Sulphur Springs 31 and Mount Pleasant 14.
The Wildcats playoff hopes remain alive as they are now 1-3 in district play. Their five game losing streak is over as the Wildcats improved to 3-5 for the season. The Wildcats play Greenville, 2-2 in district play, next Friday at Gerald Prim Stadium on Senior Night.
