Adam Howe
Sports Editor
In a game that was nearly everything that it was hyped to be, the Wildcats did everything in their power to seal a win on Friday night when they hosted the undefeated Butler Bears (7-0), but a couple of untimely penalties and questionable calls down the stretch spelled doom for Warsaw (4-3) as they dropped another close contest, 30-27 to the visiting squad from Bates County.
The loss is the Wildcats third in five games, but all have been extremely close calls, coming by a total of just 9 points.
In the duel that just about everyone predicted, after receiving the opening kickoff, Butler drew first blood with less than one minute elapsed on a 50 yard run by Hunter Stevens. The 2-point conversion came up short, but the visitors took the early 6-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered on their first drive though when they put together a nice drive, capping it with a 2 yard touchdown run by Josh Harvath. A botched snap forced Warsaw's hand, the 2-point try was no good but the Wildcats tied things up at 6-6.
The Bears regained the lead late in the opening period on a 2 yard run by quarterback Dylan Davidson. Jayce Depriest knocked down the pass attempt for the Wildcats defense on the 2-point try, but the Bears made the score 12-6.
Warsaw's next drive ended when the sure-footed Logan Gemes' 37 yard field goal attempt went wide left, turning the ball back over to the Bears. That possession came up empty as the defense of the Wildcats had dug in for a long night and they took the ball back for the offense.
After moving the ball methodically downfield, Warsaw's ensuing drive gave them the lead on a jet run by Depriest around the left side of the offense. The wide side of the field gave him plenty of room to work with as he arrowed towards his own sideline and turned towards the endzone. After stiff arming one defender, Depriest lowered his body and created a boom heard across Benton County as he ran not just over, but thru a Bears defender for a 27 yard touchdown run. Gemes came on to nail the PAT this time to give the Wildcats their first lead at 13-12 with 3:54 remaining in the first half of play.
The lead was short-lived however as the Bears offense struck quick, this time on a 30 yard run by Xavier Wisdom. The 2-point attempt failed once again, but the Bears held the 18-13 halftime lead.
After the much needed break for both sidelines, Warsaw received the second half kick and quickly went to work. Utilizing much of the clock in the quarter, the Wildcats took the lead on a 9 yard pass from quarterback Garrett Ferguson to Depriest as he ran a shallow route in the front of the endzone. Gemes nailed the PAT once again as Warsaw reclaimed the lead, 20-18.
The fourth frame provided about everything Wildcats fans could want (with the exception of the end result).
Warsaw took a two score lead with 8:27 to go on a 15 yard touchdown run by Ferguson. Gemes notched his third PAT of the night, the 'Cats lead grew to 27-18 and the defense was put on the stage.
On their next possession, Butler scored on a pass from Davidson to Jake Chandler after he slipped past the second level and was wide open in the middle of the field. Their 2-point attempt came up empty yet again and the Wildcats clung to a 27-24 lead with 5:57 left to go.
After the Green and Black offense was stalled on their drive, Butler took the lead back on a 49 yard touchdown run by Chandler on a misdirection play that seemed to fit the Wildcats defense all night. Again, the 2-point try failed but the visitors took back the lead, 30-27.
With one last chance and looking to at least put themselves in position for a field goal attempt, Warsaw moved the ball downfield, converting crucial downs along the way. Facing fourth down and 8 yards to go from just across midfield, Ferguson saw the field split and he raced through the heart of the Bears defense, diving and reaching out for the first down marker. After initial signals of a first down for the Wildcats, the original spot was reversed, marking the ball short of the marker without a measurement and the ball was given back to the Bears.
Butler ran out the clock and escaped, handing the Wildcats the narrow 30-27 loss.
Ferguson finished with 136 yards on the ground with 26 rushing attempts and scored 1 touchdown. He also completed 4 of 7 pass attempts for 32 yards and 1 touchdown.
Depriest and Harvath each tallied 10 rushes for 73 and 56 yards respectively. They each had 1 touchdown on the ground and Depriest also hauled one in through the air.
Drake Murrell led the Warsaw defense with 7 tackles. Riley Taylor recorded 6, Oliver Robertson had 4.5 and Harvath and Sean Reinertsen both tallied 3.5 apiece.
Gemes was a perfect 3 for 3 on PAT's and missed his only field goal attempt from 37 yards.
The Wildcats will travel to Skyline this week to take on the Tigers in a late season, non-conference matchup. That game is set for a 7:00 PM kickoff and can also be viewed on BCE TV via www.citylinktv.com.
