-
Jorge Martinez, Tito Martinez, Griff Williams, Ty Rushing and the Madill Wildcats ran onto the field carrying an American flag before kick-off at the Madill v. Enid game. Unfortunately, the Wildcats lost 63-0 to the Enid Plainsmen. Summer Bryant • The Madill Record -
No matter how hard the Wildcats played, they could not overturn the lead from the Enid Plainsmen. Summer Bryant • The Madill Record
The Madill Wildcats were scheduled to open the 2020 football season against the Tishomingo Indians, and the Enid Plainsmen were to play the Putnam City Pirates. After both games were canceled, the Plainsmen traveled to Blake Smiley Stadium to face off with the Wildcats. Madill Head Coach Chad Speer said after the cancellation, things were still up in the air.
“We didn’t get video traded until Tuesday evening after practice,” Speer said.
He also noted the weather kept the team from practicing before the game.
“On Wednesday, we didn’t get outside at all because of lightening,” Speer said. “So, things weren’t ideal, but nothing the last six months have been ideal.”
The Wildcats started the season from a 3-7 season in 2019, and the Plainsmen had an 0-10 season in 2019. The Plainsmen break the proverbial ice and scored first with 4:08 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats blocked the extra point kick leaving the score 6 to 0 to start the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the second quarter fared no better for the Wildcats. With three and a half minutes shaved off the clock, the Plainsmen scored, with their extra point kick drawing a penalty against the Wildcats. The Plainsmen went for a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 14 to 0. With 7:50 left on the clock, the Plainsmen scored again, taking a 21 to 0 lead.
Speer said even though the team missed a few marks, it was definitely a learning experience.
“We had some chances early to set the tone but we weren’t able to capitalize on some things and shot ourselves in the foot,” said Speer. “I do think we gained some valuable experience playing and we got some good evaluation on where we maybe thought we were and where we might actually be.”
The Wildcats went into halftime scoreless with the Plainsmen holding steady with 21 points. Madill Sophomore, Stephen Sisco, said the Wildcats could have possibly caught up.
“We need to pick it up on offense, and defensively put more pressure on the quarterback,” Sisco said.
The Wildcats started the third quarter with a fumble allowing the Plainsmen to take the score to 28 to 0 with 10:12 on the clock. The Wildcats received the ball once again, only to fumble with the Plainsmen recovering the ball. The Plainsmen used the recovery to their advantage making the score 35 to 0 with 5:07 left on the clock.
The Plainsmen scored one last time in the third quarter as the buzzer sounded. The quarter ended with a 42 to 0 score. The Wildcats were not able to recover in the fourth quarter, as the Plainsmen scored three more times, making the final score 63 to 0.
Madill Senior, Aaron Wilson, said, the team needs to shake off the loss and practice harder.
“We need to work hard starting on Monday and get better for next week’s game,” Wilson said.
Madill had 226 yards of offense; 63 passing yards and 163 rushing yards; 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions.
Speer said the players gave quite a bit during the game.
“I thought we competed and played hard,” said Speer. “We made some big stops in the first half defensively which was nice to see. Offensively, we were able to get the running game going somewhat. We just need more consistency on both sides of the ball. And we need to have more of a sense of urgency. We lacked that tonight.”
Wildcats will host the Durant Lions on Friday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m., at Blake Smiley Stadium.
Speer said familiarity with Durant’s plays might prove beneficial for Madill.
“Offensively, Durant will be running the same scheme Madill has ran the last couple of years so there should be familiarity there.” said Speer.