Wallace County Stays Unbeaten after Offensive Shootout with Dighton

The Wallace County Wildcats came into Friday night's matchup at a perfect 4-0, but Dighton, who was 4-1, came in trying to play spoiler to that undefeated record. After some back and forth scoring from both offenses, Wallace County just edged out Dighton with a final score of 40-38 in a thriller.

First Quarter

The game started off very hot, as Braylon Rains for Wallace County would take the opening kickoff 67 yards to the house, giving the Wildcats the early lead 8-0 just a few seconds into the game.

Dighton would then get the ball to try and score, which they did, after a methodical 9-play drive, ending in a Rangler Price passing touchdown to Charlie Vogel. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, an unfortunate trend for the Hornets all game, as the Wildcats keep the lead at 2, 8-6.

The next drive by Wallace County wouldn't take much more time off the clock as in just two plays, quarterback Gage Cox ran in a touchdown from 48-yards out, and after a successful two-point try, the Wildcats would increase their lead 16-6.

Dighton would not let up with their offensive efficiency, taking their next drive 64 total yards on 6 plays. Shawn Redburn capped off the scoring drive with a 24-yard rushing touchdown, giving us our first quarter score of 16-12 in favor of Wallace County.

Second Quarter

Scoring would continue all throughout the second quarter for both teams as each scored 2 more touchdowns before the half.

The Wildcats would take their first drive of the quarter in for a score, as Cox would add a passing touchdown to his stat line, connecting with Braylon Rains for a 43-yard score, 24-12.

Dighton would answer right back with another long, 8-play drive. Price would carry the ball into the endzone from 1-yard out, getting back within one score 24-18.

How about another passing touchdown for Cox. He would hit Neil Boldt in stride for a 19-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead once again, 32-18.

The Hornets would put up one more score before the end of the half. It was Price finding Vogel once more for an 11-yard touchdown pass and reception. The score heading into the halftime locker room was 32-24, Wallace County lead.

Third Quarter

After the exciting first half, no scoring would be had in the third quarter. Mostly because after Dighton received the second half opening kickoff, they would run 8 minutes and 27 seconds off the clock before having to punt. They got deep into Wildcat territory, but huge penalties forced them to kick the ball away.

Wallace County would take their first second-half drive into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Wildcats would take their next drive all the way into the endzone. Gage Cox would tack on his 4th total touchdown of the day running in the score from 16-yards away. This would be Wallace County's final score of the game, leading 40-24.

Dighton would not go down without a fight. After driving into Wildcat territory, Gage Cox would pick off Rangler Price, but the Hornet defense forced a punt, receiving the ball in positive territory. Price would add on his second rushing touchdown of the day, another from the 1-yard line, bringing the Hornets within 10, 40-30.

It would come down to special teams, as Dighton lined up to kick the onside and recovered it! They would take this drive 44 total yards into the endzone after Price finds Vogel for their third touchdown connection of the night. The two-point conversion was good, their only successful conversion of the day, bringing them within 2, 40-38.

Wallace County would recover the next kickoff and kneel the ball out after converting a third and very long down. The final score of the contest would be 40-38.

Stats

There were strong performances everywhere on the field. From Wallace County, quarterback and defensive back Gage Cox ran the ball 23 times for 153 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, while completing 6 of 7 passes for 120 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. He would also add on an interception on defense.

Braylon Rains would also tack on 2 receptions for 73 yards and a receiving touchdown. Neil Boldt had the other receiving touchdown with one reception for 19 yards and 1 touchdown.

For the Dighton Hornets, quarterback Rangler Price rushed the ball 16 times for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns, while completing 19 of 32 passes for 245 yards and 3 passing touchdowns.

Charlie Vogel hauled in 13 catches for 183 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Shawn Redburn also rushed 5 times for 29 yards and 1 touchdown.

*All stats are unofficial

The Wallace County Wildcats improve to 5-0 while the Dighton Hornets drop to 4-2.

The next NWKS Radio Area Game of the Week will be in Atwood as Rawlins County Hosts Oakley with a kickoff of 7 pm. You can listen on Flyover Country 97.9.