BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cherryroad.com
The final seconds of the Cassville football game Friday were marked by a standing ovation from fans, admiration at the effort given in the second half of a 21-14 loss to McDonald County.
The Mustangs took the opening kickoff, and end-over-end that bounced at midfield and McDonald County fell on it at the 40.
The Wildcats forced a turnover on downs, but after a quick three-and-out, the Mustangs struck with a 39-yard touchdown pass.
The game opened up in the second quarter, as on the first play, McDonald County hit a 52-yard touchdown pass. The game started looking like a runaway after an 81-yard Mustang drive ended with a 10-yard touchdown run and a 21-0 lead with 3:10 left in the half.
Cassville had other ideas.
On the final drive into the horn, Trey Wilson pulled in a 25-yard catch from quarterback Bodee Rose to put Cassville near the red zone. Garrett Ewing then pulled in a short pass and busted up the middle to put the Wildcats on the board.
The third quarter was as slow as the second was fast. Both teams traded punts twice, but a Ewing interception at the Wildcats’ 41-yard line breathed life into the game.
Wilson pulled in an over-the-shoulder grab near the home sideline, taking it to the house to bring the game within a score with 34 seconds left in the third.
Cassville’s defense shined in the final frame, especially on a fourth-and-1 from the 1-yard line. A bad snap helped, but the Wildcats flew to the stumbling quarterback and took over on downs 10 yards closer to their goal.
Another long Ewing catch to midfield was called back for a hold, and the Wildcats were forced to punt it away.
As the coaches played games with the final minutes on the clock, the Wildcats found yet another way to bring the game to life.
A fumble recovery at Cassville’s 21-yard line gave the team 1:13 to find paydirt with no timeouts.
A Ewing grab moved the ball up to the 45, and a follow-up catch, dragging his toes s he made the grab and fell out of bounds, stopped the clock with under 20 seconds and at the opposing 45.
However, a tipped pass on the next play floated in the air long enough for an alert Mustang to make the interception and seal the scoreline.
The Wildcats hit the road next week to face Nevada.
