Recap: RECRUIT LOUISIANA GAME OF THE WEEK – WEEK 8 “BATTLE OF THE WILDCATS

It was set up to be one of the toughest games of the season for both the Central Wildcats, who came into the game undefeated at 7-0, and the Walker Wildcats.  Both teams were looking for a win, which would take them to 3-0 and undefeated in a very tough 4-5A district.

Torrential rain all day had created some very muddy field conditions.  Both teams were looking for district wins to continue to climb up the rankings to get ready for the playoffs and the district championship was up for grabs in District 4-5A

Central took the lead early on a 28 Yd FG by Andrew Medine 3-0 with 7:42 left in the first quarter. Walker’s offense took possession of the ball and marched down the field but the Central defense turned them away in the red zone and the field goal attempt was wide left for the Walker Wildcats.

Sam Kenerson, South Alabama Commit and Isaiah Rankins

On the next offensive play from scrimmage for the Central Wildcats, Senior RB Isaiah Rankins broke through the middle of the line to find nothing but open space as he raced 80 yards to the house for a touchdown.  That brought the score to 10-0 Central Wildcats with 1:47 left in the first quarter.

Walker finally got on the board with a 21 yard run from Demetri Wright with 5:55 left before halftime to close Central’s lead to 10-7.  That would be the halftime score.

Sophomore ATH Jonathan Swift II

Central would get the ball to start the second half.  Walker’s defense was fired up to make a stop.  It would go back and forth between the two teams until the 10:12 mark of the fourth quarter in the game when Sophomore ATH Jonathan Swift II would take the direct snap into the endzone from the one yard line for a touchdown to bring Central’s lead to 17-7 after the extra point. Swift made several key plays during the game to extend offensive drives for Central.

Walker would come roaring right back as “McMaster’s and Company” would march back down the field and cap off the drive with senior running back Demetri Wright scamping into the endzone for his second Walker touchdown of the game, closing the gap to 14 -17 Central with 8:04 left in game

Central’s offense answered the call as Rankins splashed into the endzone for his second touchdown of the game to bring Central’s lead back to 10, 24-14 with 5:33 left in game. But the fireworks wouldn’t stop there.

Coach MaHaffey, or could we call him The Mad Hatter Mahaffey, pulled one out of his hat.  Walker recovered the short kick/onside kick from Central.  They found themselves with a short field for their offense to work with.  With Central leading 24-14 and 5:17 left in game, McMasters connected on a 54-yard flea-flicker to junior wide receiver Peyton Richard who avoided tacklers down the sideline to get into the endzone to bring the score back within four, 24-20 Central.

Junior WR Brian Thomas, Walker#8 Sr. QB Ethan McMasters

On the next possession for Central, Walker’s defense stepped up and forced Central to punt with 3:20 left in the game.  McMasters went to work again under center.  The drive brought Walker down to the 19 yard line. There was no doubt that at some point Thomas would be his target and for a touchdown.  With 1:13 left in the game, McMasters tossed a perfect pass towards the corner of the endzone to Thomas who made the scoring grab to put the Walker Cats up 26-24.  “When my number was called, I just wanted to make the play,” Thomas said. “A crucial moments you have to think players, not plays.” said Head Coach Chad Mahaffey

Central had one last chance and got two first downs.  A field goal could win it for Central but a holding penalty pushed them back.  One last attempt towards the endzone was batted away by Brian Thomas as the last second ticked off the clock and the Walker Wildcats won The Battle Of The Wildcats 26-24 over Central BR

#4 Senior FS Aubrey Womack #77 Junior NG Jovun Myles

Defensively there were great plays on both sides of the ball.  For Walker – Jesse James  (Jr, CB) Aubrey Womack  (Sr FS 6’1″ 185) and the big man in the middle Jovun Myles (Jr, 5’11” 320) made their presence known to the Central offense. Brian Thomas not only played offense but he also contributed on the defensive side of the ball playing corner as well as in the middle linebacker position.

#16 Jermaine Spears II

Defensively for Central senior corner Jermaine Spears II, standing 5’9″ 160, had the task of manning up with Brian Thomas most of the night. Eventhough there was a significant height difference, Spears played good coverage on Thomas and kept Thomas off balance at times while the defensive front tried to put pressure on McMasters.

“Under the conditions it was a really well played game, considering the conditions,” said Mahaffey “This was a great team win.  There were a lot of great contributions from our guys all over the field.”

Some Finally Numbers Below and Also Highlights/Photos Coming Soon:

Walker: (6-2, 3-0)

McMasters 13 of 17  232 Yds 1 INT 2 TDs

Brian Thomas 5 Catches 51 Yds 1 TD

Brown 18 carries 91 yards

Demetri Wright 15 Carries 64 yards 2 TD’s

Central: (7-1, 2-1)

Isaiah Rankins 14 Carries 127 Yds 2 TDs,

Score By Quarters

Walker 0 7 0 19 – 26

Central 10 0 0 14 – 24

Scoring summary

CHS – FG. Andrew Medine 28

CHS – Isaiah Rankins 80 run (Medine kick)

WHS – Demetri Wright 21 run (Bradley Cain kick)

CHS – Jonathan Swift 1 run (Medine kick)

WHS – Wright 3 run (Cain kick)

CHS – Rankins 4 run (Medine kick)

WHS – Peyton Richard 54 pass from Ethan McMasters (no kick)

WHS – Brian Thomas 19 pass from McMasters (No kick)

WHS CHS

First Downs 19 11

Rushes-Yards 41-179 37-238

Passing Yards 214 82

A-C-I 14-18-1 3-17-0

Punts-Avg. 3-33.3 5-35.4

Fumbles-Lost 3-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 4-35 7-75