Bobcats run over Kirbyville

There was concern in Orangefield the bye last week might cause the Bobcats to lose some of their momentum gained from four straight district wins including two consecutive blowouts. The worry was not necessary as the Bobcats rolled over the Kirbyville Wildcats 58-0 on Thursday at F. L. McClain Stadium in Orangefield.

The Bobcats (7-2, 5-0) scored every time they had the ball except the last play of the first half and a drive by the second team that consumed about four minutes at the conclusion of the game including taking a knee on the final snap. It was the final game of the season for Kirbyville (3-7, 2-4).

The Orangefield running game was clicking on all cylinders gaining 451 yards on 36 carries for a 12.5 yard average. The Bobcats did not throw a pass the entire game.

From the opening kickoff the Bobcats showed it was going to be a tough night for the Wildcats. Orangefield's Cameron Dischler returned the kick 62 yards to the Kirbyville 17. Two plays later Dischler scored from the 3 and the rout was on.

Dischler scored again on a 21-yard run to give the Bobcats a 14-point lead with just over three minutes played. Just 22 seconds later it was 21-0 when Orangefield freshman Mason Manning scooped up a Wildcat fumble and returned it 3 yards for the third Bobcat touchdown in just under three minutes.

Gavin Perry-Koci of the Bobcats cut loose for a 54-yard run before being stopped at the Kirbyville two. Case Singleton scored two plays later from the one making it 28-0 before the first quarter had ended.

The first drive of the second quarter Perry-Koci was not to be denied as he dodged two potential Wildcat tacklers on a 35-yard scoring scamper. The kick was blocked keeping the score 34-0 with less than three minutes gone in the second period.

It was Dischler time again the next Bobcat possession. Cameron was stopped for only a yard on the first play but the second play he broke three tackles and scooted 38 yards for his third touchdown of the first half.

Singleton closed out the first half scoring with a 33-yard burst up the middle for Orangefield. The half ended 48-0 with the Bobcats in complete control.

Any thoughts of using a running clock in the second half were confirmed after Dischler broke free again for 57 yards on the Bobcats first play from scrimmage. Orangefield committed its only penalty of the game on the point after but kicker Ty Butler boomed it through anyway from five yards further back to give the Bobcats a 55-0 lead with still 9:24 left in the third quarter. Officials allowed the scoreboard clock to run continuously except on change of possession the remainder of the game.

The Bobcats threatened one more time driving to a first-and-goal after a 29-yard run by Dischler. The Wildcats held at that point, and Butler added the final three points with a 20-yard field goal very late in the third quarter.

There was no scoring in the fourth quarter. Kirbyville had its best drive of the game with two first downs and 29 yards gained before the Bobcats' Jackson Humplik intercepted a pass by the Wildcat quarterback Jace Huffman.

The second team offense for Orangefield ran off the last 3:56 on the clock to end the game. Manning replaced Dischler in the backfield and had 35 yards on four carries.

Dischler was the leading ball carrier for the Bobcats gaining 217 yards on 16 rushes with four touchdowns. Perry-Koci only ran the ball seven times but had 127 yards and one touchdown. Singleton was perfect on the night, two carries, two touchdowns, good for 34 yards.

The Orangefield defense was solid all night limiting a pretty good Kirbyville offense to just 115 total yards. The Bobcats also made two take aways with the fumble recovery by Manning for a touchdown and the late interception by Humplik.

Orangefield closes out the regular season next Friday in Winnie against the East Chambers Buccaneers. The Bobcats need a win in that game to finish the district undefeated and clinch the District 3-A Division I championship.