For three quarters the Wildcats Football Team held a lead at Kaufman only to see the Lions score on a fourth quarter pass to take their first lead of the game on their way to a 28-24 district win at Lions Stadium in Kaufman Friday night. The Wildcats dominated most of the first half as they built a 15-0 lead. On their first drive the Wildcats bogged down near the Lions’ end zone and Brandon Zavala was called on to kick a 33 yard field goal to give the Wildcats an early 3-0 lead. On Kaufman’s first drive disaster struck from punt formation. The Lions’ punter was unable to handle a snap and the Wildcats tackled the punter at the Kaufman 11 yard line. The Wildcats covered 11 yards in just a few plays with back Caden Davis scoring the touchdown from six yards out. The Wildcats extra point was no good but the Wildcats led 9-0 with 7:07 left in the second quarter. The score remained 9-0 after one quarter of play. In the second quarter, the Wildcats took advantage of a turnover to score again. Sophomore cornerback Dominique Sims intercepted a Lion’s pass and returned it about 20 yards. The Wildcats then went 40 yards for another score. Davis found the end zone again on a beautiful weaving run through the Lions’ defense from 20 yards out. Again the Wildcats extra point was no good but the Wildcats led 15-0 with 5:50 left in the second quarter. Racing the clock, the Lions got into the end zone in the final minute of the half. The Lions used a 31 yard pass and run to score with just :52 left in the second quarter. With a successful extra point kick, the Lions reduced the deficit to 15-7 and that was the halftime score. A wild third quarter produced a flurry of scores. The Wildcats opened the third quarter with an onside kick attempt that the Lions’ aggressively returned for a touchdown. That reduced the Wildcats lead to 15-13. As Kaufman went for two to try and tie the score, Lions’ quarterback Billy Pullen attempted a pass that was intercepted by Chase Haney. Haney broke a tackle and then outraced all the Lions to the end zone with give the Wildcats two points. The Wildcats led 17-13 with only six seconds gone in the third quarter. The Wildcats answered the Kaufman touchdown with a touchdown drive of their own. Da’Korian Choc Sims scored on a 1 yard run. The Wildcats extra point kick was good and their lead went back up to 24-13. Kaufman scored a very short time later with lightning quickness. Back Raikyviun Shaw ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Kaufman added two points after touchdown with a Pullen pass to receiver Charleston Miller and the Wildcats lead was only 24-21 with 8:48 left in the third quarter. The Wildcats appeared on the verge of matching the Lions’ score but a Wildcats’ pass was intercepted on the goal line by Lions’ defensive back Darius McGee. Still the Wildcats were clinging to a 3 point lead at 24-21 after three quarters. Kaufman took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter. Lions quarterback Pullen floated a long pass toward the end zone. A Wildcats defender appeared to be in position to knock it down but it ended in the hands of Lions’ receiver Kyndall Trudeau to complete a 45 yard touchdown pass. The Lions had the lead at 28-24 but still 10:27 remained in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were unable to generate any additional points and Kaufman dominated possession in the fourth quarter taking lots of time off of the clock. The clock ran out on the Wildcats as a desperation drive in the games final seconds with no time outs ended at around midfield. Kaufman took their Senior Night football game over the Wildcats, 28-24. The Wildcats used senior quarterback Noe Ponce the entire game as he filled in for injured junior quarterback Kaden Wallace. Kaufman improved to 2-5 in district play and 2-7 overall. The Wildcats hard luck season continued as their record slipped to 1-6 in district play and 1-8 for the season. The Wildcats close out their season at home with a Senior Night game against North Forney at Gerald Prim Stadium next Friday night.
Friday Night District Scores
Kaufman 28, Sulphur Springs 24
Ennis 30, Corsicana 21
North Forney 49, Royse City 39
Greenville 51, Forney 3
Terrell bye
District 8-5A Standings
Team Dist Season
Ennis 7-0 8-1 (District Champs)
Corsicana 6-2 7-3 (playoffs) #3
Royse City 5-2 7-2 (playoffs) #2 if win Fri Greenville 5-2 6-3 (playoffs) #4
North Forney 4-3 6-3 (eliminated)
Kaufman 2-5 2-7 “
Sulphur Springs 1-6 1-8 “
Forney 1-6 2-7 “
Terrell 1-6 1-8 “
Next Friday
North Forney at Sulphur Springs
Greenville at Ennis
Terrell at Royse City
Kaufman at Forney
Corsicana bye
