Wildcats defeat Mount Pleasant on road, 24-14

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  Skyler Lewis (6) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass during the Wildcats' game against Mount Pleasant Friday. Lewis hauled in six receptions for 54 yards and a touchown in the Wildcats' 24-14 victory. Courtesy Photos by Jeff Baker

  Skyler Lewis (6) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass during the Wildcats' game against Mount Pleasant Friday. Lewis hauled in six receptions for 54 yards and a touchown in the Wildcats' 24-14 victory. Courtesy Photos by Jeff Baker
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  Grayson Hardy (2) intercepts a pass in the waning seconds of the Wildcats' game against Mount Pleasant Friday. Hardy recorded a team-high 11 tackles and picked off a pass in the Wildcats' 24-14 victory.

  Grayson Hardy (2) intercepts a pass in the waning seconds of the Wildcats' game against Mount Pleasant Friday. Hardy recorded a team-high 11 tackles and picked off a pass in the Wildcats' 24-14 victory.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Sulphur Springs Wildcats got off to their first 4-0 start since 2018 Friday following a 24-14 road win over the Mount Pleasant Tigers at Sam Parker Field. After falling behind 14-10 going into halftime, the Wildcats scored 14 unanswered points in the second half, taking the victory.

The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Wildcats the ball to start the game.

The Wildcats’ opening drive began with a nineyard catch by Deuce Hall and a 13-yard catch by Wyatt Watson. Following a holding penalty, the Wildcat’s managed to get those yards back.

A good run by Jaxson Haire, and an illegal hands to the face penalty on the Tigers gave the Wildcats good field position. Unfortunately, the drive eventually stalled, so the Wildcats settled for a 26-yard field goal by Eric Rodriguez, giving them a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers’ first drive began with a nine-yard catch and a 10-yard run. From there, the Tigers’ drive stalled out, and they were forced to punt.

The Wildcats’ ensuing drive started with two good catches by Kyshaun John and Skyler Lewis. Following a negative run, Kaden Mitchell completed four passes in a row, moving the ball into Tiger territory.

On the ninth play of the drive, Haire broke loose for a 37-yard touchdown run. Rodriguez added the extra point, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 10-0.

After an illegal kick out of bounds, the Tigers ran two more plays before the first quarter ended, with the Wildcats on top 10-0.

The second quarter began with the Tigers throwing an incompletion, ending their drive and forcing them to punt.

The following drive for the Wildcats started strong with a 16-yard run by John. Unfortunately, the drive stalled with a pair of sacks, forcing them to punt.

On the punt, disaster struck when Nate Andrews snapped the ball over Haire’s head, and the Tigers recovered the ball in the end zone with a touchdown. A successful extra point trimmed the Wildcats’ lead to 10-7.

On the Wildcats’ next drive, the Wildcats’ next drive was marred by penalties and negative runs. Eventually, the Wildcats were forced to punt once again.

The Tigers couldn’t move the ball on their next drive, which resulted in a three and out, forcing them to punt yet again.

The Wildcats’ ensuing drive started with two good runs by John. After two penalties and an incompletion, disaster struck the Wildcats again when Mitchell threw an interception, which the Tigers returned 46 yards for a touchdown. A successful extra point gave the Tigers a 14-10 lead.

The Wildcats then got the ball back, and began their drive with a 26-yard run by Haire. However, penalties and negative runs once again brought an end to the Wildcats’ drive, forcing them to punt again.

The Tigers then ran four more plays to run out the rest of the clock, as the Tigers carried their 14-10 lead into halftime.

The Tigers received the ball to start the second half. Their drive started with a 10-yard run. After that, the drive stalled out, and the Tigers were forced to punt again.

The Wildcats’ first drive of the second half began with a 14-yard catch by Hall. This was followed by two catches by Lewis.

A 10-yard run by Haire and a 17-yard run by Mitchell led to a pair of first downs. Six plays later, the Wildcats capped off the drive with an 11yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Lewis. Rodriguez added the extra point, as the Wildcats pulled ahead 17-14.

The Tigers’ next drive started with a holding penalty. This was followed by two strong runs, giving them good field position.

After three straight incompletions, the Tigers attempted a 49-yard field goal, which came up short, giving the ball back to the Wildcats.

The Wildcats’ next drive began with a false start and a 17-yard catch by Haire. However, their drive would stall out again, forcing them to punt.

The Tigers then ran three more plays before the third quarter ended, with the Wildcats maintaining a 17-14 lead.

The fourth quarter began with the Tigers continuing their drive, which included a heavy run game, which helped them eat up most of the clock. Eventually, the Wildcats came up with a key defensive stop, forcing a turnover on downs.

The Wildcats started their next drive with a run by Haire. A 16-yard catch and eight-yard by Haire, and a 15-yard run by Haire set up the Wildcats with a first and goal. Unfortunately, the Tigers caught a break when the Wildcats fumbled the ball, and Mount Pleasant recovered, giving them the ball with three minutes to play.

The Tigers initially gained a first down, but their drive ultimately stalled out with three consecutive incompletions.

The Wildcats then fed the ball to Haire on the ensuing drive. Eventually, the Wildcats put the game away with a 14-yard touchdown run by Haire. Rodriguez added the extra point, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 24-14.

The Tigers desperately tried to piece together another drive, but an interception by Grayson Hardy ended their hopes. From there, Mitchell kneeled the ball to run out the rest of the clock, capping off a 2414 victory.

Mitchell completed 22 of 30 passes for 168 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.

Haire was the leading rusher, gaining 119 yards on 15 carries and scoring two touchdowns. He was also the leading receiver, catching six passes for 64 yards.

John rushed for 62 yards on seven carries. He also caught one pass for five yards.

Hall gained 29 yards on six carries. Hall also caught five passes for 31 yards.

Lewis hauled in six passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. Watson caught two passes for 15 yards. Ja’Morian Jeffrey caught two passes, but lost one yard.

Defensively, Hardy recorded the most tackles with 11. Alex McCormick was second in tackles with eight.

Other tacklers include Truth Holmes, Mathew Jeter, Alex King and Creed Whisenhunt, five each; Nate Andrews, four; Ty Bybee, Jio Ibarra, James Johnson and Giovanni Solis, two each; and C.T. Galloway and Aidan McCarroll, one each.

Holmes also recorded two sacks, with Bybee adding one. Andrews, Jeter and Solis each had one quarterback hurry each.

King deflected three passes. McCormick deflected two, and Galloway defended one. Dallin Horton forced one fumble, and Hardy came down with one interception.

With the win, the Wildcats are now 4-0 on the season, marking their first 4-0 start since 2018. They will begin their district schedule Friday, when they travel to Aubrey to take on the Aubrey Chaparrals at Chaparral Memorial Stadium.