Caverna Capitalizes On Wildcat Errors In Colonels Win

Wildcats Fall To Caverna 28-20

Michael Mills runs the ball against Caverna on Sept. 17, 2021.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Penalties and mistakes hurt the Wildcats Friday night as they fell to the Caverna Colonels on the road. What appeared to be two big touchdowns from the Cats were called back due to penalties and the Colonels picked off an Edmonson pass for a big touchdown late in the third while the score was tied.

The Colonels struck first as Caleb Edwards scored on a 39-yard touchdown. Their two-point conversion was good and they took an 8-0 lead with 3:10 left in the first quarter.

The Wildcats were able to tie the score a couple possessions later as Noah Meredith scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Daren Alexander. Zander Bass converted the two-point conversion to make it 8-8 with 9:42 in the second.

Edmonson County turned the ball over just short of their own end zone and Caverna's Cameron Buchanan pushed through for a 3-yard touchdown with the half winding down. The Colonels were unable to convert the two-point conversion but took a 14-8 lead at the half.

Edmonson County quarterback Daren Alexander (14) hands the ball off to Zander Bass against Caverna.

Zander Bass connected for the Wildcats with 9:02 left in the third quarter on a 31-yard touchdown run on a reverse. The Cats were not able to score on the two-point conversion attempt but tied the score 14-14.

Caverna's Buchanon picked off Alexander's pass meant for a Wildcat receiver with 2:45 left in the third. He ran the ball back for a 61-yard pick six. The Colonels couldn't convert the extra two but took a 20-14 lead.

With 8:55 left in the game, the Colonels bobbled a punt attempt by Buchanon, but he somehow recovered and ran the ball for a 75-yard gain. On the next play, Edwards scored for the Colonels on a 25-yard touchdown run. They did not gain the extra two again but extended their lead to 28-14 with 8:10 left in the game.

After a scuffle at the end of a play, Caverna's Chase Ragland appeared to throw the football at a Wildcat player and was called for a personal foul and ejection with 6:55 left in the game.

With 4:48 left, it would be an Edmonson County halfback pass from Michael Mills after a pitch from Alexander to Garrett Lyons for a 61-yard gain. The Wildcats were able score another touchdown and cut the Caverna lead to 28-20 with 1:45 to go.

After a Caverna turnover on the next possession, the Wildcat pass was intercepted by the Colonels with only seconds left which snuffed out the chance for a comeback.

Head Coach Ed Smart said he was proud of the kids for not giving up.

"At the end, they got two scores, but we kept fighting," he said. "I thought they played hard. The truth is, some of our younger kids, it's growing pains, and it showed up a little bit tonight. "

He then discussed some of the penalties that hurt the team tonight.

"We're gonna make mistakes," he said. "We're gonna drop balls, we'll miss a block. All that is human, physical stuff. It's the mental stuff that really frustrates me."

Edmonson County is now 0-5 on the season and will head to Metcalfe County next Friday for a district match up.