Wildcats fall to Arthur County

On a chilly Friday afternoon, the Banner County Wildcats hosted the Arthur County Wolves for a non-league contest. The hosting Wildcats came up short in front of the home faithful, dropping the matchup by a 45-31 final.

The difference in the contest was a dismal second quarter in which the Wolves outscored the Wildcats 26-6. However, the two clubs traded points in the first quarter and headed into the second separated by just one point.

The Wolves returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to open things in the contest and take a 7-0 lead. A 58-yard run by Mike McKown, who is averaging 143 rushing yards per game, brought Banner County back within one.

Arthur County quarterback Michael Buitron was a major component in the second quarter that proved to be the difference in this game, rushing for a touchdown halfway through the quarter after faking a pass to the outside – sending Wildcats defenders towards the sidelines. By the time the gun sounded at the half, the Wildcats found themselves in a 33-12 hole.

The third quarter proved to be a defensive stalemate, with neither team managing to put points on the board in the frame. The fourth quarter, however, proved to be a different story.

Although the Wildcats outscored Arthur County 19-12 in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to stage a full-blown comeback. The loss drops Banner County to 2-3 on the season, with the Wolves moving to 3-2 this year.

Banner County returns to action against Leyton this Friday at home. The Wildcats are still looking for their first home win of 2013.