Wildcats Football Team Loses Tough Game at Lutheran South

The Wildcats dropped their fourth game in a row to a very tough Lutheran South team Friday night 24-17.

To say that the Wildcats have been plagued by injuries so far this season would be an understatement. Not only have the Wildcats lost their starting quarterback Chad Briden, but Friday night star running back Steve Webb was also sidelined. However, the Wildcats did have Junior linebacker, Charlie McCracken in the game for the first time so far this season. McCracken joined Cooper Moore to form a very talented linebacker corps for the Cats. Even with their new addition, the Wildcat linebackers had a very tough assignment Friday night against the areas leading touchdown scorer Cody Schrader. Schrader, Lutheran South running back is also a top three rusher in the area.

Schrader proved that the Wildcat defense had their work cut out for them early in the game, as 89 seconds in, he found some open space for 49 yard touchdown run. Shortly following the run the Wildcats first snap was fumbled and recovered in their own end zone for a safety. The Wildcats found themselves in a 9-0 hole less than three minutes into the game. The ensuing Wildcat possession ended in a punt. Soon following the punt, Schrader once again popped outside and sprinted down the sideline for a 40 yard scoring run to make the score 16-0.

However, this would be the last Lutheran South score for the next 2 1/2 quarters. The Wildcats defense buckled in and forced Schrader inside, where he was continually met by McCracken and Moore. The Wildcat defense was also aided by a first quarter turnover due tomorrow to a Josh Pottebaum interception. Quickly after the interception, Pottebaum turned around and quarterbacked the offense downfield on a drive that ended in a 6 yard touchdown reception to Senior receiver Logan Sells to make the score 16-7. The Wildcat defense stopped South’s offense on the next drive as well as Charlie McCracken recorded his first sack as a Wildcat to force fourth down and a punt. The Wildcats drove down the field once again but this time the drive ended in an impressive 37 yard field goal from Sophomore kicker Andrew Kempen. That kick would be the last score in the first half for either team as they went into the halftime break 16-10 with Lutheran South on top.

The third quarter was comprised of tough defense as neither team was able to get a score in the quarter. The Wildcats turned the ball over three times which was due in no small part to the slippery footballs due to the heavy rain. The offenses seemed nonexistent in the third quarter until late when Lutheran South finally started putting some plays together. However, the drive did not end until the first play of the fourth quarter in which Cody Schrader recorded his third touchdown of the game by way of a 20 yard run. South then converted on a two point conversion to make the score 24-10. The Westminster offense made some noise late in the fourth quarter on a 64 yard touchdown reception from Pottebaum to Conway. Dylan Conway showcased his more than impressive speed as he out raced the entire South defense en route to the touchdown. However this was where the comeback effort stopped for the cats as that would be the final score the game making the final score 24-17 in favor of Lutheran South.

It would be impossible to tell the story of this game without mentioning the brutal weather conditions. Starting in the first quarter, heavy rain filled the field and stands throughout the entirety of the game.

“I think the rain had a big effect on the game. It made the ball very slippery which led to a few turnovers” said Charlie McCracken.

McCracken was very impressive in his first game as a Wildcat. Transferring from Kirkwood High School this summer, McCracken was not allowed to play the first four games of the season due to MSHSAA rules.

“I was beyond excited. It was overwhelming to take the field for the first time with my brothers from Westminster” said McCracken.

Come out to support the Westminster football team in their next game that takes place at home against rival Priory.