WILDCATS BOUNCE BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Image
  • Tony McSwain • Courtesy Photo Madill senior running back Mateo Fajardo (12) catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Asa Robertson in the second quarter of Madill’s 37-6 win over Harrah. The Wildcats’ record improved to 2-4 with the win while the Panthers fell to 1-5.
    Tony McSwain • Courtesy Photo Madill senior running back Mateo Fajardo (12) catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Asa Robertson in the second quarter of Madill’s 37-6 win over Harrah. The Wildcats’ record improved to 2-4 with the win while the Panthers fell to 1-5.
Body

A cool fall night and a road trip were the backdrop for the Madill Wildcats second victory of the season; a 36-6 win over the Harrah Panthers. With the win, Madill improved to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in district. Meanwhile, Harrah is 1-5 overall and 1-2 in disctict.

As in their other victory this season, the Wildcats ran their triple option offense all the way.

Senior fullback Jon Venable led the way with 19 carries for 133 yards. Others with strong rushing days were senior running back Mateo Fajardo who had 8 carries for 78 yards, sophomore slot Trey Gammil who had 5 carries for 55 yards and sophomore quarterback Kendall Robertson who had 6 carries for 41 yards.

This time Madill defense more than held its own and forced three turnovers.

The hosts had the first possession of the game and started at their own 37-yard line.

However, the Panthers quickly went three and out to give Madill the ball at the Wildcat 32. However, on the fourth play of the drive, Mateo Fajardo fumbled away possession at the Madill 29.

After an incomplete pass by Harrah quarterback Grayson Spires, the Wildcats had two tackles for loss to force a Panther punt.

Madill’s next drive started at their own 1-yard line. The result was a 99-yard, 11-play scoring drive for the visitors. Asa Robertson scored on a 17-yard touchdown run before John Venable added a two-point conversion on a short dash.

Venable and Fajardo joined Robertson in having at least one run longer than 11 yards on the drive.

Madill took their 8-0 lead into the second quarter.

Harrah ran a play to running back Damarion Cooper who fumbled at their 32-yard line. Madill’s Ryan Shahan recovered the fumble to set up the Wildcats in enemy territory.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Venable popped off a 29-yard run. Then, on first and goal, Venable’s number was called again. This time he was stopped at the Harrah 2-yard line. Then, Madill’s coaches switched it up and gave the ball to Trey Gammill, who scored on a 2-yard run.

Fransisco Perez added the extra point kick to give Madill a 15-0 lead.

On the next drive, things went from bad to worse for the hosts.

Madill forced its second turnover of the night on an interception by freshman defensive back Yovanny Robles.

The inception by Robles gave Madill the ball at their own 40.

The Wildcats switched things up again as Bret McDaniel completed a 16-yard pass to quarterback Asa Robertson, which moved them to the Panthers 44.

On the next play, Robertson had an incomplete pass, but a defensive holding penalty was called on the Panthers. The penalty moved the ball to the Harrah 28.

On the very next play, the elder Robertson and Fajardo connected for a 28- yard score. Perez tacked on the extra point to put Madill up 22-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats got on the board again on their second drive of the third quarter.

This time it was Kendall Robertson with the honors as he ran the 11 yards for a touchdown. Perez’s extra point kick was good and the Wildcats took a 29-0 lead.

Harrah’s next drive was off to a decent start as Cooper had a gain of 23 yards to get to his team’s 39-yard line. But it wasn’t meant to be a pass by Kyle Baker, their second quarterback of the game, was intercepted by Gammill.

Drive by Madill starting at

Kendall Robertson returned to lead the offense for the next drive. On the first play of the drive, he took the ball 5 yards to the Wildcat 39. On the next play, Fajardo gained 7 yards to the Wildcats 46, which was the last play of the third quarter.

Then, Kendall Robertson added another 17-yard gain on the ground to move into Panther country. This was but a prelude to Fajardo breaking loose for a 37-yard touchdown run. The Perez extra point was good at Madill took their lead over Harrah to 36-0.

Harrah scored a consolation touchdown as Cooper powered the team during the next drive. First, Cooper returned the kickoff 41 yards to the Madill 35. On the next play he took the ball to the house 35 yards for the score. A two-point conversion attempt on a pass by Brent Wilson was no good leaving the score Madill 36, Harrah 6.

The Wildcats return to the field Thursday, Oct. 17 when they host Blanchard at Blake Smiley Stadium.