Cats can’t get late conversion or stop in loss to Cards

The Blair-Taylor defense stiffened in the second half, but it couldn’t get a stop before time ran out on Eleva-Strum’s final possession as the Wildcats fell to the Cardinals, 34-32, last Thursday.

The game was moved to Thursday due to weather concerns for Friday night. An explosive first half saw the Cardinals take a 28-20 lead into the break, but B-T’s defense was stronger in the second half. The only score E-S managed was a 58-yard touchdown pass on a trick play with receiver Bo Windjue passing to Hunter Nicolet.

Austin Clemens scored twice in the second half for B-T as the senior put up a career-high 123 yards and three touchdowns. His third touchdown made the score 34-32 with about five-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game. B-T’s two-point attempt to tie the game was stopped short. 

The Cardinals ran the ball down the field, burning time off the clock as they worked into B-T territory. The Wildcats had a chance to get the ball back as the Cardinals faced a fourth-and-one with about a minute remaining, but E-S got enough push on a run by Brock Stendahl to get the first down and clinch the win.

E-S never trailed in the game, though the first half had both teams rattling off explosive plays.

The Cardinals received the opening kickoff and scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Grangaard to Windjue on a fourth-and-eight play. Bryce Knutson caught the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0. 

The Wildcats came right back, using Henry Miller to pound down the field. Miller ended the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, then ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game.

E-S bounced right back with Windjue leading the way. As they did on their first drive, the Cardinals faced a fourth down and went to Windjue, who took a handoff around the right side and ran for a  26-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. The two-point attempt was stopped.

Windjue ran for 62 yards on eight carries and caught three passes for 58 yards. He also led E-S with 11 tackles and intercepted two passes. 

It took one offensive play for B-T to respond as Clemens broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14. The two-point attempt was stuffed.

The teams exchanged turnovers as E-S fumbled to give B-T the ball at their own 40. B-T couldn’t take advantage as penalties pushed the Wildcats back before an interception by Windjue.

Stendahl found a big hole in the middle of B-T’s defense and raced for a 74-yard touchdown that put E-S ahead 20-14. The two-point try was stopped.

The Wildcats answered as Miller rattled off a 14-yard run before Matthew Beck ran for 12 yards and a penalty put B-T at the E-S 10. Miller finished the drive with a short touchdown. Like Clemens, Miller had a career night, rushing for 174 yards and two touchdowns. 

E-S responded with an eight-minute drive capped by a short touchdown by Stendahl. The two-point conversion put them ahead by eight at halftime. Stendahl ran for 131 yards on 16 carries. 

B-T’s defense stiffened in the second half, but the Cardinals never relinquished their lead.

In addition to their efficient ground game, B-T had success in the air as Beck completed four of his five passes for 31 yards. Beck also ran for 27 yards. Carter Markos caught three passes for 26 yards.

Adam Halverson had a big day for the B-T defense, finishing with three tackles for loss.

The loss dropped B-T to 0-5 on the season and means they will likely have to win the rest of their games to qualify for the playoffs. 

The Wildcats head to Independence/Gilmanton to take on another winless team this Friday. The Indees are coming off a 12-8 heartbreaking loss to Augusta (see story elsewhere in Sports).

Next week, B-T returns home to play Melrose-Mindoro.