Barton collects road victory

RUSTON, La. - Barton’s eighth-grade football team came away with a road victory Thursday, as the Wildkittens outlasted Ruston (La.) 26-14.

The Wildkittens got on the scoreboard thanks to their defense, as Rodderick Watts recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score with Omer Alshujaa’s extra point making it 7-0.

Barton led by the same score after the opening period, but increased their lead in the second quarter on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Kolin Parker to Deandre Burns.

Leading 13-0, Ruston cut

into the Wildkittens’ lead with a score to make it 13-8 at intermission.

In the third quarter, Orlando Hampton intercepted a pass for the Wildkittens, who were later forced to punt.

On the punt, the ball hit a Ruston player, and Hampton recovered the ball for the Wildkittens at Ruston’s 12.

However, the Wildkittens were unable to move the ball and tried a field goal.

The attempted field goal was blocked, but Burns, the holder, was able to pick up the ball and found a seam to the end zone.

Alshujaa booted the extra point to make it 20-8 in the fourth quarter.

Barton’s defense then came up with a huge turnover, as Hampton picked off a pass after Ruston drove to the 10.

On the ensuing series, Burns took a quick pass from Parker and raced 78 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 26-8.

Ruston scored a touchdown in the waning seconds of the game to make the final margin.

The Wildkittens will play at Bryant next Thursday.