Wildcats open restart with first-and-goal at the 2

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cherryroad.com

The Cassville football team was giving Reeds Spring all it could handle on Friday amid turbulent weather and, ultimately, a delay and postponement just as the Wildcats nearly scored.

Garrett Ewing caught a Bodee Rose and jetted up the home sideline and seemingly into the end zone, but was ruled out of bounds at the 2.

Before the line was set again, the stadium was being cleared for a lightning delay with 8:50 left in the second quarter, the Wolves up 7-0.

After about 30 minutes and multiple heavy lightning strikes in the area, officials elected to move the remainder of the game to Saturday at 1 p.m.

Cassville started the game with a thunderous play of its own. After a touchback by Peter Littlefield, Cassville made a tackle at the line, then after a roll of thunder, Ewing picked off a floating pass near the Wildcats’ sideline, returning it to the 17.

However, on third-and-goal from the 7, Rose was picked off at the goal line and the Wolves went 40 yards the other way.

A Keaton Shellenberger tackle forced a punt on that drive, and on Cassville’s second, Rose was picked again. This time, Reeds moved to the 50, then a runner cut through the middle and 50 yards to paydirt for a 7-0 lead that held through the opening frame.

Cassville’s next drive saw Trey Wilson pick up a first down to the 39 as the rain began moving in. A few plays later, Ewing caught the pass to the 2.

Action will pick up from there Saturday. Follow the game live on the Cassville Democrat Facebook page.