
Wildcats Defeat McKinney In
Season Opener Before Hometown
Crowd, Friday Night
by: Bobby McDonald
How long has it been since the Sulphur Springs Wildcats beat the McKinney Lions? Local historians are searching old records and combing through statistics, but it has been at least as long as 51 years, since Sulphur Springs has smelled victory in the match-up with their north Texas counterparts. "It feels good to beat McKinney!" expressed Wildcat Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Greg Owens. "It's been a long, long dry spell!"

The Cats trailed the contest at halftime, 14-12, following a strong goal line stand by the Lions and a 99 yard run that had the Cats trailing by 8 points. The Wildcats managed a late second quarter score to bring the halftime score withing two points.

Then, the Wildcats came back following a spectacular show by the Wildcat Band and the Blue Blazes Drill Team, with determination. A third quarter score when quarterback Ty Rollison connected with #2 Jace Jackson moved the Wildcats ahead in the contest. Then, quarterback Johnny McSheffery scored late in the fourth quarter to "put the win in the column." The McKinney Lions never scored in the second half, a credit to outstanding plays by the Wildcat Defense, who continued to make great plays, even when the second string players were added to the line-up.



The Wildcats will travel south to Whitehouse for next week's match-up, where the game will begin at 7:30 p.m. "It is a distance to travel to Whitehouse, but you can go through Tyler and eat at somewhere different and be to the game on time," expressed Owens.
Wildcats 31 - McKinney 14
_____
