Wildcats Take Tough District Loss Against Hart County

Edmonson Voice Sports
Wildcat turnovers and miscues were the key factors in Edmonson County's 30-26 loss to district rival Hart County last night in Munfordville.

"Hart County had the ball the whole fourth quarter because we turned it over twice," said senior running back Daniel Caudill. "It seemed like every time we'd break a big run or make a stop on defense,there would be a flag on us. We have to be more disciplined."

​The Wildcats were able to get points on the board early as Rheece Berkley scored on an 11 yard reception pass from QB Tucker Cole. The extra point from Brett Brannon gave Edmonson County a 7-0 lead with four minutes to go in the first.

After a great Wildcat run with a couple of big gains from Daniel Caudill in the second, Caudill scored on a one yard, 4th and goal touchdown with just over three minutes left in the half. The extra point was no good as the Wildcats took a 13-0 lead.

Hart County answered with a good run of their own, with the help of some Wildcat penalties for a touchdown and two point conversion, cutting the EC lead to 13-8 at the half.

Midway through the third, it was Caudill again as the Wildcats scored a one yard touchdown and extra point, making it 20-8. Edmonson County gave themselves a huge advantage with Tucker Cole's 45 yard interception for a touchdown with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. The extra point was no good but the Wildcats extended the lead to 26-8.

On top of that, the Wildcats regained possession with an onside kick, but a Edmonson County fumble on the next play gave the ball right back to the Raiders. Hart County was able to turn it into a touchdown but no extra point with under three minutes to go in the third as the Wildcat lead was cut to 26-14.

A Raider run resulted in a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut the Wildcat lead to 26-22 with just over six minutes to go in the game.

On the next Hart County kickoff, the Wildcats had a huge 45-yard return from Marcus Elmore but a fumble and Raider recovery gave Hart County possession of the ball with 5:58 to go.

A good defensive stand from the Wildcats put Hart County in a tough position on 4th and 11 on the EC 23 yard line with under two minutes to go in the game, but a first down from the Raiders kept the game alive. The Raider run went all the way to the wire, thanks to tough Wildcat defense with 4th down and 2 with less than a minute left. 

Edmonson County stopped the Raiders at the two yard line for what appeared to be a turnover on downs but a flag stopped the play. There was confusion on the field for a couple of minutes as the officials tried to sort things out while ejecting one Hart County coach in the process. The Wildcats tried once again to stop the Raiders on 4th and one, but the Raiders scored a touchdown for their first lead of the game with nine seconds left to go. A two-point conversion put the Raiders on top 30-26. 

The Wildcats took possession of the ball at their own 42 yard line on a squib kick and Caudill caught the Tucker Cole pass on the next play, running out of bounds with two seconds left. Edmonson County looked to get creative as the last play of the game was a multi-pass, lateral play but ended with a tackle, along with the game.

"We have a huge district game next week with Larue County and if we win, we'll probably be a number two seed in the playoffs and get to host a playoff game," said Caudill. "If we lose, we don't make the playoffs and our season is over in two weeks. Our backs are against the wall, but I still believe in this team. We need all the support we can have Friday form our fans. It's definitely the biggest game of the season."

The Wildcats are now 3-5 on the season and fall to 1-2 in the district. They are scheduled to take on Larue County at Wildcat Stadium Friday, October 14 at 7PM.