Wildcats knock off Fairview 40-20
Camden Fairview finished off a 12-play, 67-yard drive with a touchdown and cut El Dorado’s lead to 20-8 midway in the third quarter. The Cardinals then recovered the onsides kick and drove inside the Wildcats’ 10-yard line.
A score turns the game into a potential nail biter.
Instead, El Dorado’s Camerious
Rucks and Gavin Heustis teamed up to force a fumble. The turnover, one of five forced by the Wildcats, changed the momentum of the contest in a 40-20 victory Friday at Memorial Stadium.
“Perserverance as far as they just kept battling,” said defensive coordinator Justin Wylie. “The first half we did some really good things and made them one dimensional. They came out in the second half and did some different things and went down and scored and then got the ball right back. We kept fighting and got the fumble. That was a huge momentum swing.
“Their quarterback was about to get the ball and Rucks hit him and took him away from it. Gavin scooped it up and took off with it. I think he dragged an offensive lineman about 20 yards. And, that guy was ripping at the ball, trying to get it out.”
Heustis, from his defensive tackle position, finished with eight tackles, including two for losses with a sack, a fumble recovery and three QB hurries.
“He really collapsed the pocket,” said Wylie. “He got us started, made a solo tackle on the first play and then got a sack. He got us going early and really made their quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket.”
Defensive ends Quentin Frazier and Jacoby Hankton both made massive impacts. Frazier led the team with 12 total tackles, including three
tackles for losses with a sack and three hurries. Hankton had five tackles, two for losses, with two sacks, two fumble recoveries and two hurries.
The Cardinals totaled 364 yards of offense, including 289 through the air on 20-of-41 passing. On the ground, El Dorado held Fairview to 78 yards on 37 attempts.
Skylar Higgins had nine tackles and recovered a fumble. Rucks had seven tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Williem Artis had seven tackles and broke up a pass. Calab Scott had six tackles. Emon Ingram had five solo tackles and a pass breakup. Wanya Archie forced a fumble and Clasine Miller intercepted a pass.
“I was really fired up for Skylar Higgins and Heustis and our defense for the turnovers they got, the big plays they made,” said El Dorado head coach Scott Reed. “They were calm to pick the ball up. I thought it was a very good performance by our defense.”
Offensively, Alex Hicks rushed for Higgins 170 yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts. Keonte Larry added 107 yards rushing on 11 carries. Hicks completed 8-of-15 passing for 137 yards.
“I thought Alex played well again as far as managing the ball. He did a good job with his decision making,” said Reed. I’m liking the progress I’m seeing there.”
El Dorado rushed for 345 yards, including a 66-yard scoring run by Hicks on the first play. Reed said the scoring play was just put in this week.
“I think in the second half we settled down and were much more efficient,” Reed said. “We cut out some of the penalties. I thought we ran the ball a whole lot better the second half, which is good.”
El Dorado evened its record at 1-1 while the Cardinals lost their season opener.
With the victory, Reed became the winningest coach in school history with his 102th victory. He bested the mark set by legendary Coach Garland Gregory.
“That’s pretty awesome,” said Reed. “I can think of a lot of kids and coaches who have contributed to that and fans. This is going on 12 years, it’s been a good run. I’m proud to be a part of it.”