Friday, Nov 1 the Wildcats seven game win streak was broken after succumbing to the Falls City Beavers, 48-7. The Wildcats scored late in the game with 2:08 remaining when Brayden Knostman jetted 61 yards on a quarterback keeper play that ended as he crossed into the endzone on the right corner of the field. Other highlights include when Rylan Rau picked up a fumble in the third period and when Adam Serbin recovered a fumble on the 35 yard line in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats accumulated 243 total offensive yards. Brody Metting completed 11 passes out of 20 attempts for 73 passing yards with three interceptions, and 16 carries for 54 rushing yards. Knostman was the leading rusher carrying the ball 4 times for 80 yards. Matthew Olguin was the top receiver with three catches for 42 yards. The Wildcats had a total 39 carries for 170 rushing yards and 11 catches for 73 receiving yards.
Head Coach Ryan Knostman understands that teams can gain knowledge from losses and that every game is a learning experience. “We have Shiner coming up. We are going to give them a run for their money. At halftime we discussed we still have goals and things we want to achieve. This game (Falls City) will help us to reach those goals. It will show what we need to work on and get better at. That’s exactly what we are going to do. It wasn’t a step we like to take but it was for a purpose and reason. I am proud of how the team played. They played hard for four quarters and played the right way,” Knostman stated.
Falls City was able to pull ahead 20-0 by the first period. Early the Beavers benefited from an interception and good field position. Quarterback Braylon Johnson was hard to contain as he set a season record, rushing for 264 yards and four touchdowns in only 11 carries. The Beavers 440 yards of offense came mainly from the ground as they were two out of three in passes for 23 passing yards and 31 carries for 417 rushing yards. They were able to take advantage of three interceptions and a fumble to nab a victory over the Wildcat squad.
The Wildcats received the opening kickoff and the ball went over on downs to the Beavers who drove down the field starting on the 45 yard line. The Beavers scored six points and wildcat, Richard Flores, blocked the extra point. After driving down the field on the second possession the Wildcats were halted by an interception. Johnson scored his second touchdown and Yorktown prevented the two point conversion. After stopping the Wildcats the Beavers returned the punt to the one yard line. On the ensuing play the Beavers scored and converted on the two point conversion. After being forced to punt, Cameron Willis recovered a muffed punt and Cats retained possession on the 44 yard line, 22-0.
The Wildcats were stopped on the 39 yard line at the start of the second quarter. Falls City marched downfield and scored on an 11 yard run and found the endzone for a two point conversion, 280. Brody Metting connected with Mathew Olguin on a 30 yard pass on first down. Second down was an unsuccessful pass to intended receiver Brayden Knostman. Metting would keep the drive alive with a 10 yard run up the middle. After trying a reverse truck play the ball was fumbled and recovered by Falls City. The Beavers would drive downfield and score, 35-0. The ball would go over to the Beavers with a 60 yard punt by Metting. The Beavers were first and ten from their own six yard line when Johnson went 97 yards for a touchdown to conclude the first half, 42-0.
To start the second half Rau picked up a fumble to bring excitement to the Yorktown side. Unfortunately a thrown interception the next play gave the ball back to Falls City. The Beavers would take advantage and score, 48-0. During the next possession the Wildcats would turn the ball over after dropping the snap and throwing an interception. Knostman subbed in as quarterback and took advantage of the opportunity, scoring on a 61 yard run with 2:08 remaining. Kason Sullivan would tack on the extra point to conclude the scoring of the night, 48-7.
