Hosting a good Valley Union club last Friday night the Wildcats stayed close through the first half, but in the second half the Blue Devils pulled away for a 48-12 win to spoil Joseph City’s home opener.
Playing without some of their key players the Wildcats struggled with their rushing attack, finishing the night with just 45 yards on the ground. The Cats were forced to go to the air often and Cameron Baldwin ended the night with 45 passing attempts. He completed 13 of those for 153 yards, but had two interceptions.
Baldwin scored both Wildcat touchdowns, one on a rushing play and the other on a 41-yard interception return.
Six different Wildcats had receptions led by Latrell Kinlicheenie with five grabs for 65 yards. Rhett Beard had four catches for 23; Eligh Ashcroft, one for 31; Jay Edwards, two for 26; Carlos Sanchez, one for eight; and Baldwin, one for no yardage.
Eligh Ashcroft was the leading rusher for Joseph City, finishing the night with just 24 yards on five rushes. Kinlicheenie carried 10 times for 11 total yards, and Baldwin rushed 17 times, gaining 10 yards.
The Blue Devils did most of their damage on the ground, amassing 426 yards and six touchdowns with their rushing attack.
Rance Haddox led the Wildcat defense with 15 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Baldwin had nine tackles; Sanchez, seven tackles with 1.5 sacks; Ashcroft, five tackles; and Damon Sandoval, four tackles.
The Wildcats will travel to Anthem on Saturday, Sept. 2, to take on the Anthem Prep Eagles in a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Eagles have dropped their first two contests to begin the season, and should provide the Wildcats with a chance to balance their season mark at 1-1.
