Blackcats lose opener at Kennett

The Blackcats Football Team lost its season opener, 32-19, Friday night at Kennett.

Kennett received the opening kickoff and scored on a one-yard run by Quarterback Akeem Nelson. The two-point conversion attempt was no good and the Indians led 6-0 with 9:12 to play in the first quarter.

Neither team got much offense going until the second quarter. Midway through the second, A Kennett fumble allowed Fredericktown to take over at the Indians’ 15. From there, Caleb Carver ran for three yards on first down and eight more on second down. On first and goal from the four, Carver plunged into the end zone. The PAT was blocked and the score was 6-6 with 6:27 to play in the first half.

Nelson scored again for Kennett, late in the half. The score at the break was 12-6.

Fredericktown received the second half kickoff and wasted little time in tying the game. On third down from the Cats’ 28, running back Matthew Williams broke free, made several cutbacks to elude would-be tacklers and dashed 72 yards for a score. Patrick Smothers PAT made it 13-12, Fredericktown with 10:56 to play in the third quarter.

The Indians got a pair of rushing touchdowns to retake the lead. Nelson picked up his third of the game from seven yards out, and Joe Pittman added a one-yard run to make the score 25-13 with 1:12 to play in the third quarter.

Four straight runs by Williams picked up 41 yards for the Cats who were deep in Kennett territory. On fourth down, Kennett’s Edward Wilson picked off a pass and ran 95 yards for a score. It was 32-13 with 9:58 to play.

Fredericktown narrowed the margin when Spangler scrambled for 20 yards and a score on fourth down and five.

For the game, the Cats got 14 carries for 112 yards from Williams to lead the team. Carver added ten carries for 54 yards. Spangler completed 11 of 29 passes for 148 yards. Reed led all receivers with five catches for 75 yards. Defensively, O’Neal led with five solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Dalton King and Carver each had four solo tackles. Williams had a fumble recovery and Chris Harwood had an interception for the Cats.

Fredericktown hosts Hillsboro, Friday night.