The Wildcats Football Team had a tough start to the 2020 season losing a one-sided game, 38-10 against Frisco Wakeland at Toyota Stadium in Frisco Friday night, September 25.
The Wolverines put points on the board in every quarter. Wakeland got off to a good start taking the opening kickoff and going 75 yards for a touchdown. Talented Wolverine running back Jared White got the game’s first score on a 5-yard run. Wakeland was up 7-0 at the 7:11 mark of the opening quarter.
The Wildcats tried to match the Wolverines with a score of their own but turned over the ball on downs as a fourth down play failed to get the needed first down. The Wildcats’ defense stopped Wakeland on their next two drives but the Wildcats’ offense was also unsuccessful.
Early in the second quarter, Wakeland used some favorable field position to go 49 yards for their second score. Savvy Wolverine quarterback Peyton Lewis tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dugan Sexton and Wakeland was up 14-0. After an interception of a Wildcat pass, Wakeland had to start a drive from their own 3 yard line. They then went on a 97 yard drive to score for the third time in the game. White scored his second touchdown of the night on a 16-yard run and Wakeland was up 21-0. The Wildcats tried to score on a drive right before the half, but they ran out of time as they threw an incomplete pass down near the goal line.
After halftime, the Wildcats got off to a good start in the third quarter going 66 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Kaden Wallace scored the Wildcats first touchdown of the season on a determined 16 yard run to the end zone. The Wildcats trimmed the Wolverines lead to 21-7. Things continued to look up when the Wildcats pounced on a Wakeland fumble. The Wildcats were on the Wakeland 39 yard line with a chance to narrow their deficit to just 7 points.
Then, came two plays that changed the whole ballgame. The Wildcats threw a pass down near the goal line and the ball appeared to bounce off of a Wildcat receiver into the hands of a Wakeland defender who returned the interception to midfield. On Wakeland’s first play from scrimmage after that, quarterback Lewis threw a perfectly thrown bomb into the hands of receiver Jack Mayer for a 50-yard touchdown. Just like that, Wakeland was now up 28-7 in the third quarter.
Things got worse for the Wildcats. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball was muffed by the Wildcats and, when they finally got it under control, it was downed at their own 1 yard line. Then, a bad hand off ended up on the ground and Wakeland recovered at the Wildcats 12 yard line. The Wildcats defense slammed the door on the Wakeland offense, but Wolverine kicker Nolan Krinsky salvaged points by kicking a 27 yard field goal to give Wolverines a 31-7 lead at the 3:42 mark of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wakeland struck for the last time. Again quarterback Lewis put the ball right where it needed to be against pretty good Wildcats pass coverage hitting Sexton for a 35-yard TD pass. Wakeland went up 38-7 with 11:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Just when you think the whole game might be a lost cause for the Wildcats, an historic moment took place. Strong-legged Wildcat kicker Josh Tavera, whose booming kickoffs ended up in the end zone all night, drilled a 47-yard field goal with 5:37 left in the fourth quarter to reduce the Wildcats deficit to 38-10. According to records compiled by the Sulphur Springs News Telegram in 2016, Tavera’s field goal tied a school record he now shares with three others. Tony Bravo kicked a 47 yarder in 2011 against Denison. Billy Watkins kicked 47 yarders twice, against Thomas Jefferson and against Rockwall, both in 1989. Weldon Lindley had a 47 yarder against Tyler in 1924.
The final score was Frisco Wakeland 38, Sulphur Springs 10. The Wildcats are 0-1 for the season. The Wildcats now face Lovejoy at Gerald Prim Stadium next Friday night.
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