After falling short to the Badgers in their season opener, the Yorktown Wildcats came out determined to redeem themselves against Banquete on Friday, Sept. 5.
Quarterback Brody Metting connected with standout receiver Matthew Olguin for a 45-yard touchdown strike with 6:39 left in the first quarter. Banquete quickly answered with a 70-yard touchdown pass of their own and took the lead, 8-6, after a successful two-point conversion.
The Bulldogs’ air attack produced two long touchdowns—a 70-yard and a 42-yard passing touchdown, respectively. However, the first half ultimately belonged to Yorktown. Metting closed the opening quarter with a nineyard dash into the endzone, regaining the lead, 12-8.
The second quarter was a showcase for McKenzie Yanta, who powered the Wildcats’ offense with three touchdowns and an extra point. His 35yard breakaway run lit the spark, followed by scoring dashes from nine and 14 yards out. Yanta’s strong leg also added the extra point, helping Yorktown build a commanding lead. Travis Buesing came up big by recovering a kickoff, flipping possession back to Yorktown.
The Wildcats capped off their dominant first half when Metting fired a short, four-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Menn, sending Yorktown into halftime with a dominating 31-14 lead.
Banquete came out strong in the second half, trading blows with Yorktown. The Bulldogs opened play with a 37-yard rushing touchdown, but Metting quickly answered with a 42-yard run to push the Wildcats ahead, 38-20.
Banquete struck back through the air, cutting into the lead, but once again Yanta delivered for Yorktown, powering in from two yards out, to make it 45-28 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.
The scoreboard lit up in the opening minutes of the half as both teams piled on points. The Bulldogs broke free for a 70yard run, but Yanta continued to be unstoppable, scoring his fifth touchdown of the game and punching in from a yard out to extend Yorktown’s advantage to 52-34.
It was an offenseheavy contest, with explosive plays coming from both sidelines. Banquete opened the fourth quarter with a oneyard touchdown at the 11:54 mark, narrowing the gap to 52-40. Yorktown answered as Metting broke loose for a 12-yard touchdown run, though the two-point conversion attempt came up short.
Late in the game, Brayden Knostman entered at quarterback and put the finishing touch on the Wildcats’ victory with a 23-yard keeper into the endzone. Yorktown sealed the win, 64-40, evening their record at 1-1 on the season.
Metting evades an opponent while Ryan Knostman positions himself to help out. Courtesy photos
Yanta jets down the field for one of his five touchdowns of the night.
