Joseph City opened their season on Saturday morning in the Skydome with a hard fought 26-20 loss to Bagdad. Other than the first period, the Wildcats matched the Sultans point for point from the second quarter on.
The Sultans scored six points in the opening frame and took that lead to the second. Bagdad added another touchdown in the second and with the two-point conversion they put up 14 in the half. Joseph City also got on the board in the second with a touchdown of their own but they trailed 14-6 at the break.
In the third both teams matched the other with six points. The two teams again matched each other with single scores in the fourth.
Joseph City ran 24 more plays on offense than did Bagdad and picked up five more first downs. However, they also had an additional 85 yards in penalties.
Cameron Baldwin completed six of 15 passes for 70 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to BJ Martineau. Jay Edwards had two receptions for 15 yards. Latrell Kinlicheenie had 2 for 9 yards, Baldwin caught 1 for 9 and Carlos Sanchez Osorio had one four-yard grab.
On the ground, Latrell Kinlicheenie gained 77 yards with a pair of touchdowns on 25 attempts. Baldwin rushed 14 times for 74 yards and Damon Sandoval had four carries for 26 yards.
Baldwin also led the defense with seven tackles and a fumble recovery. KJ Kinlicheenie and Latrell Kinlicheenie each made five stops and Sanchez Osorio was credited with four.
This week Joseph City, now 0-1, will travel to Valley Union to face the Blue Devils who are off to a 0-2 start and have yet to score in both losses. The Wildcats will play their first home game on Sept. 7 when they welcome in Mayer.
