Wildcats Open Season with Big Road Win at Thomas More
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. –After seeing their first two scheduled games postponed, the Bethel Wildcats finally hit the turf for their opening game Friday traveling to Crestview Hills, Kentucky to battle the Thomas More Saints. The Wildcats were impressive and dominating in a 49-7 victory.
It was all Cats early as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one and led 28-0 at the half. Jacob Murphree had an impressive debut throwing two touchdown passes in the first half. His first scoring toss was to Caleb Nelson and the second was completed to Tremaine Osborne. Davius Prather scored two touchdowns on short runs for the other scores. Archie Williams came up with a big fumble recovery to give Bethel a short field on one of the scores.
Prather added another short touchdown run in the third and the Wildcats led 35-0 after three.
After TMC scored their lone touchdown on the night, Bethel's Anthony Hughes added another Wildcat score for a 42-7 margin. The Wildcats would score again on a fumble recovery by Colby Sloan for a late touchdown.
Bethel outgained the Saints 499-267 in total yards. The Wildcats had 321 rushing yards and 178 in passing yards. The Wildcat defense was dominating holding TMC to just 41 rushing yards. The Saints had 226 passing yards.
Individual highlights included:
De'Ontay Tate- 24 carries, 200 rushing yards
Prather – 77 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
Murphree- 17 completions on 28 passes- 178 yards
J'Kobi Reddick – six receptions, 77 yards
Jakobe Griifin- six total tackles
Afiz Bhadmos - four tackles and a sack
David Riggin- four tackles and a sack
Hughes- rushing touchdown
Nelson- five receptions, one TD
Osborne- three catches, one TD
Jerwin Young, sack
Devious Christmon- two interceptions
Rodrigo Campos- 6-6 PATS
Williams & Sloan (TD) fumble recoveries
Team Highlights:
Offensive and defensive line domination
Outstanding efforts and execution by the linebackers and secondary
Coach Michael Jasper was proud of his team, their effort and the result. "I am so proud of these young men. We preach toughness and overcoming adversity all the time, but who could've imagined a global pandemic, quarantines, loss of loved ones from it, virtual learning, ice storms and that whole deal. Just to be able to line up and play tonight was a blessing, but these guys never hung their heads and got the job done tonight."
Jasper added, "My hat goes off to the staff from top to bottom. Worked their butts off and got these kids ready to go. I'm just blessed by this program. We will enjoy it and then fix what needs to be fixed in order to have continued success."
The Saints suffered their first loss of the season at 2-1. It will be only the second meeting between the two programs. Bethel beat TMC 35-28 in McKenzie in 2019.
It was the first of a seven game season with all the games being MSC Bluegrass Division affairs.
The Wildcats return to action at Campbellsville next Friday. Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m. CST. The game is a rescheduled contest from February 12.
Live video: https://campbellsvilletigers.com/watch/?Live=1385&type=Live
Live stats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=camp