Cougars edge Wildcats

Grit was the defintion for the St. Paul Wildcats that defined their performance Friday night in Cross County as the Cats looked for their first win against the 2-3 Cougars. The Cats came in dinged up with multiple injuries across the depth chart.

The Cats got off to a quick start on their opening possession where Cody Kuszak busted lose for a 65 yard touchdown run only to have it negated due to a holding penalty on the play. The Cats were forced to punt and the Cougars swung the momentum in their favor as QB Sawyer Anderson found Fullback Tony Dewitt in the flat for a quick pass with a convoy of blockers that that led to a touchdown for the Cougars. Lacking a Kicker went for 2 and were successful on the attempt to take a 8-0 lead with 4:29 to play in the first quarter. 

The Cats played their style of Football on the ensuing drive placing together a drive that spanned 70 yards and took up 4:14 of the clock that saw QB Zandyn Weller find Levi Bader in the back of the endzone to bring the Wildcats within 2 but fumbled the 2pt Conversion to trail 8-6 at the End of the First.

The 2nd quarter saw Cougar utility player Eli Greenwall score 2 touchdowns by land and by air as he scored an 11 yard touchdown run with 7:10 to play in the Half. 2pt Conversion was no good to make it 14-6. Greenwall found the endzone :28 before the Halftime break on a 25 yard reception. 2pt was good and Cougars were up 22-6 at Half.

Despite the score St. Paul came up fighting in the 3rd quarter as both teams traded possessions before the Cats found the endzone for a 2nd time as Weller connected for a 2nd time with Levi Bader on a 4th & 13 play for 18 yards to cut the game with 10. The 2pt conversion was good and it was 22-14 going into the 4th quarter.

The Cats had a chance to tie the game halftway through the 4th quarter as Cody Kuszak scored from 7 yards out to bring the Cats within 2 and a chance to tie. The 2pt conversion was no good as Kuszak was stopped sort of the goal line to round out the scoring for the night. St. Paul had 2 chances late but couldnt capitlize as Cross County hangs on to win 22-20 despite being held scoreless in the 2nd half.

St. Paul(0-6) are at home to try and return a few missing pieces into the lineup for a tough matchup with Boone Central next friday at Wildcat Field. Listen live on Country 96 and krgi.com starting at 6:30.

Cross County(3-3) will be on the road to take on the GICC Crusaders.

Zandyn Weller takes home Runza MVP with almost 200 yards of offense on the day with 2 touchdowns.

Comments from Head Coach Cody Wheeler are below.