Coaches Comments: I am very proud of this teams efforts. This was a great football game, against a extremely tough opponent. Paraclete has won 5 consecutive CIF championships, and they have a lot of talent. But I think tonight we proved we can play with anybody in the division. We had two costly turnovers in the 1st quarter which led to 10 points. The defense played awesome tonight, and it deserves a lot of praise. Offensively we have to work hard this week to solve the turnover problems. I was extremely proud of that last minute drive. Our kids showed a lot of heart.
Game Summary:
Paraclete used their tremendous kicking game to pin the Wildcats on the first two possessions of the game. A third down pass was ruled a lateral, giving the ball to the Spirits on the 8 yard line. On 4th and goal, Spirit QB Tommy Caton just squeezed over the line for a touchdown giving Paraclete an early lead. On the following possession the Wildcats let another ball get away, this time on the 23 yardline. Tenacious defense led by Dan Leopoldo, Bernie Ayon, and Joe Villegas prevented the spirits from making a first down. A 39 yard field goal by kicker Kieth Lambert made it a quick 10 - 0 game. Late in the 2nd quarter, Paraclete managed its only long scoring drive of the game. A 9 yard burst by fullback Jarrod Nelson capped off a 55 yard drive giving the Spirits a 16 - 0 halftime lead. The 2nd half belonged to the Wildcats. Paraclete was held to only 4 yards in the third quarter as the Wildcats Defense shut down Paraclete's speedy backs. Late in the quarter blitzing cornerback Layton Matthews sacked Caton at the 5 yard line. The Wildcats nearly blocked the ensuing punt, which went only 25 yards giving the cats excellent field position. Anthony Banks and Nick young ripped off two huge gains leaving the ball on the 4 yard line as the quarter expired. Banks scored on the first play of the quarter on a carry over the right side of the line. Layton Mathews made a great catch on a fade pass from Young to make the score 16 -8.
The Cats defense pinned the Spirits again on the next series forcing Paraclete to punt from their own 10 yard line. On 4th down and very long a botched punt snap gave the cats a chance take control of the game. Paraclete punter Tommy Caton used his speed to elude the first wave of Wildcats, and made it back out to the 30 yard line, just shy of the first down. The Cats twice put the ball inside of the ten yard line, but each time penalties would force the Cats back beyond mid field. The Cats would over come the penalties and drive the ball down inside the 25, but once again a fumble would spoil a great scoring opportunity. Paraclete took the ball and drove 67 yards down to the 8 yard line. On 4th down and 1, with just a little over 2 minutes to play the Cats responded. The defensive line led by Andrew Haase, Brandon Johnson, Joe Villegas, David Nguyen, and Travis Barnes Jammed the line of scrimmage allowing the quick Wildcat backers to stuff the play. With the game on the line the cats would drive 92 yards on 13 plays. Key catches, including an incredible 1 handed catch by Layton Mathews would move the ball down to the 30 yard line. On 4th down and 7, Anthony Banks snagged a quick toss over the middle and weaved his way through the entire Paraclete seconday for the score. Trailing 14 to 16 the cats needed one more play to end Paraclete's 27 game win streak. On the conversion, Paraclete jumped off sides, which advanced the ball to the 1-yard line. On the next attempt Paraclete linebackers Brian Wilson and Aaron Merlo stopped Dan Leopoldo just short on a dive up the middle to preserve the longest winning streak in the division.