High School Football: Wildcats 7, Eagles 6
YATES CENTER Yates Center Highs Wildcats began and ended the second half with a bang Friday evening.
It was just enough.
The Wildcats Thayne Smith opened the second half with a 58-yard touchdown jaunt, Yates Centers only score of the contest.
Yates Centers defense made it stick, pulling in two Eagle turnovers in the games final 1:44 to hang on for a 7-6 victory.
The win lifts the Wildcats to 2-5 on the season and 1-1 in district play.
We left a lot of points on the field, Wildcat head coach Ryan Panko said. It was ugly. But you know what? Ill take an ugly win any time.
The game wasnt sealed until Yates Center freshman Kendrick Jones picked off a Ty Davidson pass with 23 seconds left on the clock and Uniontown at the Wildcat 30.
It capped a frantic ending that saw Yates Centers Kayle Smith recover a muffed punt by the Eagles with 1:44 left, only to lose possession two plays later on a fumble.
Davidson then connected with a Jez Simpson for a 38-yard gain to put the Eagles in scoring position.
Joness interception came on the next play.
Even then, victory wasnt assured.
The Eagle defenders frantically dove for the ball on the games final snap, and Yates Center in victory formation. When the muddy scrum cleared, Smith emerged with the pigskin, allowing the clock to run out.
It didnt rain a drop during the contest, but Mother Natures fingerprints were all over the happenings.
Torrential rains earlier in the week left the playing field a soggy, muddy mess, which meant ball possession was at times impossible. Unofficially, the teams combined for 14 fumbles (four lost) and 16 plays that lost yardage as players frequently lost their footing.
Uniontown drove to the Yates Center 14 in its opening drive before the Wildcats Zack Holm-quest ended the threat with an interception.
