Previewing the 2024 Wildcat football schedule

Previewing the 2024 Wildcat football schedule Image

• Skyler Lewis (6) smiles after catching a touchdown pass during a game against Hallsville last season. The Sulphur Springs Wildcats' 2024 football schedule has been released, which includes five home and away games. Photo by DJ Spencer

Dj Spencer Sports Editor Wed, 06/19/2024 - 05:55 Subhead

SS aims for third straight playoff berth

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The Sulphur Springs Wildcats’ football schedule for the 2024 season has been finalized. This season, the Wildcats will have five home games and five road games, gaining an extra home game after playing a four-home, six-away schedule last season.

The Wildcats are entering their third season under head coach Brandon Faircloth, and are also aiming for their third consecutive playoff appearance, which would be the first time since 2012-14 that the Wildcats have made three straight playoff trips.

Sulphur Springs finished with an 8-2 record during last year’s regular season and went 4-1 in district play, placing second behind eventual 4A/D1 state champion Anna. In the playoffs, they suffered a devastating 41-35 loss to the Carter Cowboys in the Bi-District round.

This season, the Wildcats will be in a new district, District 7-4A/D1, which retains Community and Paris from the previous district, and adds Aubrey, Celina, Frisco Panther Creek, and Lake Dallas as new opponents. Their non-district schedule will include games against Bullard, Greenville, Mesquite Poteet, and Mount Pleasant.

Here is a look at the 2024 Wildcat football schedule by week.

WEEK 1

VS. MESQUITE POTEET

For their season opener, the Wildcats welcome the Mesquite Poteet Pirates to Gerald Prim Stadium Aug. 30. This game will feature two teams largely unfamiliar with one another.

The Pirates failed to win a single game during the 2023 season, going 0-10 overall and 0-7 in district play.

WEEK 2

AT GREENVILLE

For their second game of the year, the Wildcats hit the road for the first time, traveling to Greenville to take on the Greenville Lions at T. A. “Cotton” Ford Memorial Stadium Sept. 6. This will be the first time since 2021 that these two long-time rivals have squared off, with Greenville winning the most recent matchup 25-21.

The Lions are coming off a 3-7 season in 2023, where they went 2-5 in district, missing out on the playoffs. Their only wins were a 35-2 win over Frisco Liberty, a 63-37 victory against Princeton, and a 48-16 win over Mesquite Poteet.

WEEK 3

VS. BULLARD

In their third game, the Wildcats return home to Gerald Prim Stadium to host the Bullard Panthers Sept. 13. This game also features two teams that are largely unfamiliar with each other.

The Panthers started strong in 2023, but faltered down the stretch, after going a perfect 4-0 in non-district play, they went just 2-4 in district play, finishing fifth in their district and missing out on the playoffs.

WEEK 4

AT MOUNT PLEASANT

For the fourth game, the Wildcats wrap up non-district play by traveling to Mount Pleasant to square off against the Mount Pleasant Tigers at Sam Parker Field Sept. 20. This game features two teams that have long been rivals. The two teams faced each twice in the last two years: Sulphur Springs won the 2022 matchup 34-17, while Mount Pleasant won the 2023 contest 35-22.

The Tigers went 5-4 last season, going 3-3 in district play. Unfortunately, they finished fifth in district, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

WEEK 5

AT AUBREY

The fifth game of the season will have the Wildcats hitting the road again, this time traveling to Aubrey to take on the Aubrey Chaparrals at Chaparral Stadium Sept. 27. This will be the Wildcats’ district opener, against another team they are unfamiliar with.

The Chaparrals went 6-4 during the regular season last year. Despite going 0-4 in non-district play, they went a perfect 6-0 in district play, winning the district championship.

In the playoffs, the Chaparrals defeated the Ford Panthers 34-2 in the Bi-District round, then defeated the Van Vandals 35-14 in the Area round, before losing to the eventual 4A/D2 state champion Gilmer Buckeyes 34-21 in the Regional Semifinals.

BYE WEEK

After five games, the Wildcats will have their bye week in the middle of their fifth and sixth games.

WEEK 6

VS. CELINA

After the bye week, the Wildcats resume action at Gerald Prim Stadium against the Celina Bobcats Oct. 11, in their first home district game. This matchup also features two teams largely unfamiliar with each other.

The Bobcats enjoyed a great 2023 season, going 9-1 overall and 5-1 in district, placing second behind Frisco Panther Creek.

In the playoffs, the Bobcats the Paris Wildcats 4914 in the Bi-District round, then took down the Alvarado Indians 55-14 in the Area round, before falling to the Stephenville Yellowjackets 7-3 in the Regional Semifinals.

WEEK 7

AT PARIS

For their seventh game, the Wildcats hit the road again, traveling to Paris to take on the Paris Wildcats at Wildcat Stadium Oct. 18. This game features two teams that have been district opponents for the past two years. Sulphur Springs won both previous games: winning 21-14 in 2022, and also winning 37-30 in 2023.

Paris went 4-6 during the 2023 season. Despite that, they went 3-2 in district play, placing third.

In the playoffs, Paris was eliminated in the Bi-District round by the Celina Bobcats, losing 49-14.

WEEK 8

VS. COMMUNITY

The Wildcats’ next district game pits them against the Community Braves at Gerald Prim Stadium Oct. 25. These two teams have also been district opponents for the past two seasons. The Wildcats were on the winning side of both games: winning 37-7 in 2022 and 36-7 in 2023.

The Braves went 3-7 overall and 1-4 in district play last season, missing out on the playoffs. Their only wins were a 42-24 win against Sanger, a 48-36 victory over Dallas Lincoln, and a 20-12 win against Mabank.

WEEK 9

VS. LAKE DALLAS

For their ninth game, the Wildcats hit the road for a final time, traveling to Corinth to square off against the Lake Dallas Falcons Nov. 1. This will be the first time these two teams have played each other.

The Falcons went 9-1 during the 2023 season, placing second in their district with a 5-1 record.

In the playoffs, the Falcons defeated the Arlington Heights Yellowjackets 2813 in the Bi-District round, before falling to the Rider Raiders 49-20 in the Area round.

WEEK 10

AT FRISCO PANTHER CREEK

In their final game of the regular season, the Wildcats welcome the Panther Creek Panthers to Gerald Prim Stadium for their Senior Night game Nov. 8. This will be another first time matchup for the Wildcats.

The Panthers enjoyed a terrific 2023 season, going 9-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in district, winning the district championship.

In the playoffs, the Panthers defeated the Kaufman Lions 56-28 in the Bi-District round, then defeated the La Vega Pirates 49-21 in the Area round, before losing to the eventual 4A/D1 state champion Anna Coyotes 42-38 in the Regional Semifinals.

The Wildcats will look to produce positive results in 2024. They will look to make their third consecutive playoff appearance, as well as win their first playoff game since 2013, and their first district title since 2012.