Following big losses in their last two outings on the gridiron, the Wildcats of Joseph City needed a win to get their season back on track. Despite the long bus ride to Gilbert, they got just what they needed as they took down the Arete Prep Chargers 58-20 to improve their season record to 2-2.

The Cats led by just six points at the close of the first period, but a strong second quarter left them with a 39-7 halftime lead. They outscored Arete Prep by one touchdown in the second half to secure the win.

Matt Fields opened the scoring with 5:15 left in the first period on a 21-yard run. Bryndon Buckley booted the PAT and Joseph City led 7-0.

Arete Prep answered just 20 seconds later on a 63-yard run, knotting the score at 7-7.

Joseph City then ran off six consecutive touchdowns and even mixed in a 33-yard field goal over the course of the next three periods, building a 52-7 lead before the Chargers found the end zone again.

Hayden Hendricks connected with Koby Smith on a 39-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Early in the second, Troy Poudrier ran in from 69 yards away. Midway through the second, Hendricks connected with Smith again, this time from 15 yards out, pushing the margin to 29-7. With 5:28 left in the half Fields scooted in from 55 yards away for another score. At the 10 second mark, Buckley booted a 33-yard field goal, making the halftime score 39-7.

Hendricks completed two touchdown passes in the third period. The first went to Fields from 26 yards out and the second went to Smith from 25 yards away. Buckley was good on both point after kicks.

The Wildcat defense scored early in the fourth when Kaden Westover intercepted a Charger pass and returned it 19 yards for the final Joseph City score of the night.

The Wildcats dominated the scoreboard and the stat sheet with 474 yards of offense compared to just 162 by the Chargers.

Hendricks completed seven of 10 passes for 132 yards with four touchdowns. Smith hauled in three of those scoring tosses as part of his four receptions for 91 yards. Fields had two grabs for 33 yards with one score. Aaron Johnstun made one catch for eight yards.

On the ground Fields led the way, gaining 130 yards on just 11 attempts. Poudrier picked up 99 yards on eight runs. Hendricks gained 31 yards on three rushes. Rance Haddox gained 25 yards on four carries.

Along with his pick six, Westover led the defense with seven tackles. Fields had five stops and Hendricks was credited with 4.5 stops.

“This was a good game to get some momentum and to get some kids healthy. Hayden Hendricks had a great game at quarterback, as did Koby Smith at tight end. Kaden Westover played well on defense,” said Coach Eldon Larsen.

This week the Wildcats will host Mayer. The visiting Wildcats come in with a 2-1 record, including last week’s 74-14 win over the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf.