Wildcats Take Season Opener From Caverna

Sophomore Isaiah Johnson runs the ball against Caverna in the 2018 season opener.

Edmonson County Dominates Colonels 36-6

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Wildcats started the season with a 36-6 win over Caverna tonight on the road as many new faces began new roles after last year's departed seniors left plenty of openings.

Edmonson County was able to get into the end zone first as Sophomore quarterback Jon Smith connected with James Hollis for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Brock Stethen was able to convert on another pass from Smith for a two-point conversion as EC took an 8-0 lead with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter.

The Wildcats celebrate their first win of the season.

Sophomore quarterback Jon Smith cuts back to his right against Caverna.

​A catch by Chance Lucas brought the Cats right to the goal line with only 17 seconds left in the half and Senior Kenny Logsdon was able to push through with a two-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt was no good but EC took a 14-0 lead at the half.

The Wildcats rip through the banner in the season opener.

Brock Stethen leaps as he catches a two-point conversion pass.

The Wildcats struck again in the third quarter as Sophomore Isaiah Johnson's interception put the ball back in Edmonson's hands. That was followed by as a face mask penalty against Caverna which pushed Edmonson right at the goal line. Jonathan Hollis was able to run the ball in for another touchdown. Smith connected again on the two-point conversion with a catch from Jonathan Filback and Edmonson extended their lead to 22-0.

After a fumble recovery by the Wildcats, Edmonson's Grayson Perdue ran the ball for another touchdown. Matthew Shaw converted on the two-point conversion with a run of his own as EC added to their lead, 30-0 with 4:15 to go in the third. 

It was Shaw again with 1:21 left in the third on another touchdown run. The failed two-point conversion attempt from the Wildcats put EC up 36-0. Caverna was finally able to get on the board in the fourth with a touchdown but couldn't kick the extra point for a final score of 36-6.

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Preston Mills tackles Caverna's Drew Rhodes.

Senior Kenny Logsdon with the run.

The crowd was stunned in a scary moment for the Colonels when Caverna sophomore Colton Riley took inadvertent contact as an Edmonson County defender got his finger caught in Riley's facemask in an arm tackle attempt. Riley was sprinting down field and the contact pulled his neck awkwardly. He hit the ground and laid motionless for a few minutes. An ambulance drove on field and he was taken away on a stretcher. Coaches said Riley was alert and moving his hands and fingers. He was given a standing ovation from fans on both sides of the field as he was taken away.

Head Coach Nathan Smith said he was proud of how his team performed tonight with the win.  Smith discussed preparing for Butler County next week.

"Butler County has an all-new coaching staff, so I've got some questions about what we're going to see. I know they're going to be ready for us...it seems like we've played Butler County more than any other team in the history of football, so it's a big rival. I feel it's as big of a rivalry as our Grayson County game, really."

Smith added that even though questions remain about the Bears, he knows they will be well coached and ready to play.

Edmonson County is 1-0 on the season and is scheduled to take on Butler County next Friday at 7pm in Morgantown.

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