Wildcats fall to the Broncos 34-55

Coming off a big homecoming victory, the Wildcats were looking to carry their momentum into a tough game on the road against the Wauneta-Palisade Broncos.

Wallace started their opening drive on their 19-yard line.  They were able to get the ball into Bronco territory following a successful pass play but Wa-Pa ended the drive by intercepting the ball. 

The Broncos started their first drive with a short field at the Wildcat 23-yard line. They needed just four plays to get the ball into the end zone. Dalton Harchelroad of Wauneta got around the outside edge to get the score but it was costly for him as he had to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The PAT was unsuccessful so the Wa-Pa lead stood at 6-0.

The game turned into a defensive battle following the TD. Wallace went three-and-out and had to punt and then the Broncos stalled, after getting one first down and they too, had to punt the ball.  

Wa-Pa’s defense didn’t back off and they again kept the Wildcats from getting a first down. The Cats were looking to punt the ball again, but this time the ball went over the head of the punter and rolled out of the back of the end zone resulting in a safety and 2 points for the Broncos.

The Broncos wasted no time putting up another touchdown. They needed just two plays to get the ball from their 23-yard line to the end zone. A completed pass on the 2-point conversion extended the Bronco lead to 16-0 with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats went to work to change the look on the scoreboard. The drive started with a kickoff return just past midfield. Jared Sullivan completed passes to Ty Maline and Micah Swedberg to advance the ball to the 9-yard line and it was there that Logan Rosentrater completed the drive with a tough run up the middle. 

Hadley Johnson caught the pass for the 2-point conversion and with 3:23 left in the opening quarter, Wallace had cut the Bronco lead in half with the score reading 16-8.

As the first quarter was coming to an end, the Wa-Pa offense stalled near midfield and had to punt the ball. Their quick punt coverage pinned the Wildcats back at their 3-yard line.

Second Quarter

The first play of the second quarter, the Cats were looking for a bit of breathing room and they went with a short passing route. The Broncos were ready for it and they came up with a pick 6 to increase their lead to 22-8.

The Wildcats did not let the turn of events get them down, they came charging back. Nathan Manary started the drive with a 27-yard run and then Sullivan went for a 23-yard run of his own. 

On a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Sullivan completed the drive by hitting Swedberg in the corner of the end zone for a much needed TD. Sullivan ran the ball for the 2-point conversion and the Cats were back in the game only trailing by six.

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