Cats Get Clobbered By Grayson In Football Opener

Grayson Tops Edmonson 43-0

Junior wide receiver Zander Bass looks for extra yardage against Grayson County in the season opener.

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It was a rough night for the Wildcats as they took a 43-0 loss in the 2021 season opener at home against the Grayson County Cougars.

Edmonson County has a different look than its teams of the last few years with a new quarterback and other personnel, and more than 50% of the lineup are underclassmen; however, despite a running clock just before halftime, fans still saw the same effort from the Cats in the final minutes of the game as they did the first.

Junior quarterback Daren Alexander throws downfield to a Wildcat receiver against Grayson County.

Edmonson County struggled to get any offense going throughout the night, and according to new head coach Ed Smart, they were simply "big-played" by the Cougars.

​The Cougars got on the board early as they moved into the red zone and Chandler McCrady scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Their two-point conversion was no good and Grayson led 6-0 7:14 to go in the first quarter.

It would be the Cougars again on a big play, as McCrady scored again, this time on a 77-yard run. Grayson converted the two points and the Cats trailed 14-0 with just over four minutes left in the first.

Sophomore running back Michael Mills stiff arms a Grayson defender in the 2021 season opener.

Grayson County continued their offense as they scored again in just a minute into the second on another touchdown. They failed on their two-point conversion but led 20-0. They continued stopping Edmonson's offense and was able to score yet again with 6:53 left in the half on McCrady's 31-yard run with a successful two-point attempt to extend their lead to 28-0.

With just over a minute to go the half, Grayson made another big play, this time on a 41-yard touchdown pass with a successful two-point conversion to grab a 36-0 lead and a running clock that would remain in place throughout the contest.

Grayson county would add one more big play to the game, a 42-yard touchdown run from Michael Wood in the third quarter with the extra point to give the Cougars a 43-0 lead and what would be the final score.

ECHS Cheer pose briefly before their sign is demolished by the incoming varsity squad.

The Wildcats run through the opening day sign before the game against Grayson County.

Coach Smart said defense was the key to success night.

"If you'd have asked me what the keys for our success would be, I'd have said we have to play good defense because I knew on offense we were going to struggle. So, if we didn't play good defense, we were going to be in for a long night. We didn't play good defense, and it was a long night."

Unofficial stats after the game showed the Cats with only 105 rushing yards with 17 passing yards.

Coach Smart discussed a new quarterback and the growing pains that come along.

"I told the guys at halftime, the one thing about a quarterback, that is not something that comes easy," he said. "It takes a lot--a lot of experience. Daren (Alexander) will come along. I thought he did some good things and we'll get on film and he'll watch some things."

Coach went back to his point about defense.

"We're going to hang our hat on playing good defense," he said. "That's because sometimes we're not going to have better athletes than people, but if we can play good defense, that gives us a chance. And like I said, we've got a lot of work to do. We know where we're at. My big thing with the kids honestly, we'll watch this film and by the time we play Breck in week 11, we all want to see improvement. That's the key. Because then, to me, that's coaching and our kids buying in, and that's the important thing."

Edmonson County is 0-1 on the season and will travel to Butler County next Friday against the Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 7PM in Morgantown.