Atoka Advances to 2-0 in District Play With 24-20 Win over Antlers
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By Steve Turrentine
Friday night October 2nd the Atoka Wampus Cats traveled to Antlers to face the Bearcats in their second district game of the season.
Both teams came into the game with a 1-0 district record. The game started with Atoka kicking off to the Bearcats where they took the ball to their own 29 yard line.
The Bearcat offense came out in the wishbone and began what would be a night of almost all rushing yards. The cat defense fought hard, but ultimately Antlers came up with a touchdown, but fell short on the extra 2 point attempt leaving the score 6-0 Antlers.
The Wampus Cat offense answered when quarterback Tyson Barrett connected with receiver Kollin Richie for a 74 yard touchdown reception just 3 plays later. Atoka failed on the extra point attempt leaving the score 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Going into the 2nd quarter the Antlers running attack again pushed the ball into the end zone for another Bearcat touchdown and again failed the 2 point conversion, giving them the lead again 12-6.
The Wampus Cats then took to the air again, with an incredible 48 yard Barrett to Ritchie connection taking the ball all the way to the Bearcat 6 yard line.
An untimely fumble and loss of the ball happen then for the Wampus Cats allowing Antlers to take over on their own 2 yard line. The Atoka offense held strong and was able to force Antlers to punt, giving the Wampus Cats the ball back on their own 31 yard line.
Atoka stayed on the ground this time and after several great rushes by Trent Yarbrough, he took it in on an 8 yard rush to tie the game again, at 12-12. With the Wampus Cats starting kicker Caleb Wingo out for the night, the extra point was blocked and the halftime score remained tied at 12.
Starting the second half Antlers kicked off to the Wampus Cats where Kollin Ritchie took it back all the way from the 30 yard line for a 70 yard touchdown run, which would ultimately be called back due to a penalty.
The Atoka offense took over on the Bearcat 30 yard line. After marching to the five yard line, quarterback Tyson Barrett kept it on a naked bootleg to gain a 5 yard touchdown rush and Atoka’s first lead of the night.
Coming up short on the 2 point conversion, the Atoka lead at the end of the third quarter was 18-12.
Going in the fourth quarter the Antlers offense struck first with a one yard touchdown run. Add a successful 2 point conversion and the Bearcats regain the lead 20-18.
On a tipped pass Antlers intercepted the ball during the next Atoka possession. Fortunately a tough Atoka defense got the ball back. With 4:21 left in the game Atoka’s offense started on their own 7 yard line.
The first play, running back Trenton Yarbrough took it 93 yards down the middle to score giving Atoka the lead again 24-20. As the Antlers offense started moving the ball, with less than four minutes in the game, Wampus Cat defensive end Tyrell Hill gets a timely sack for a 7 yard Bearcat loss.
This forced Antlers to go to the air for the rest of their series leading to a Trent Yarbrough interception with just seconds to go in the game. After a long hard game the Atoka Wampus came out victorious 24-20.
This Friday night October 9th Atoka has a home game versus Eufaula, who is also undefeated in district play. Game time is at 7:00 pm.
