The Wildcats of Joseph City balanced their season mark at 1-1 with a road win at Anthem Prep on Saturday evening, Sept. 2. They built a 32-12 halftime lead and turned that into a 46-38 win.
The Cats fell behind by 12 points in the first period, but Cameron Baldwin’s 14-yard rushing touchdown trimmed that lead to 12-8 as Latrell Kinlicheenie finished it off with a two-point conversion run. Late in the first quarter Kinlicheenie scored on a five-yard rush and Baldwin tacked on the conversion run, giving the Cats a 16-12 lead.
Baldwin scored again on a one-yard plunge midway through the second, increasing Joseph City’s lead to 22-12. With two minutes left in the half the Cats pushed that margin to 28-12 on a Baldwin to Jesse Hulsey 12-yard connection. Late in the half Joseph City’s defense got in on the act with a 20-yard interception return by Rhett Beard, pushing the lead to 34-12 at the half.
Anthem Prep scored early in the third and tacked on another score late in the quarter to pull within one score at 34-26. Inside the final minute of the third Baldwin hooked up with Beard on a 36-yard catch and run, making the lead 40-26. Baldwin moved the lead to 46-26 with a two-yard rushing touchdown midway through the fourth. Anthem Prep added a pair of fourth quarter scores to bring the final count to 46-38.
Baldwin finished the night with an eight of 13 pass completion rate good for 138 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. Beard had four catches for 112 yards and a score. Eligh Ashcroft caught three for 32 yards. Jay Edwards had one 13-yard catch, and Hulsey had one grab for 12 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats rushed for 222 yards led by Kinlicheenie with 88 yards on 15 attempts. Baldwin carried 17 times for 78 yards. Ashcroft rushed 15 times for 51 yards. Trey Tuckfield carried three times, gaining five yards.
Kinlicheenie also led the defense with seven tackles. Rance Haddox and Baldwin each had five, and Carlos Sanchez finished with four tackles.
Joseph City will host NFL YET Academy on Friday night, Sept. 8. The Eagles join Joseph City with a 1-1 record through two games.
