By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
Yards came in chunks for both teams Friday at Memorial Stadium. In the end, El Dorado had a few more big plays on offense and a lot more on defense in a 35-13 win over Lake Hamilton. The Wildcats improved to 4-0 while the Wolves fell to 2-2 in the conference opener for both teams.
El Dorado forced five turnovers, including a 94-yard fumble return by Donovan Walter, which turned a second-and-goal from the 1 for the Wolves into a first-and-goal from the 5 for the Wildcats midway in the fourth. Kameron Bowie had two interceptions and Bishop Foster also picked off a pass. Tyrek Rucks had a fumble recovery.
The three interceptions came in the first half, which still ended with the Wildcats nursing a 14-6 lead.
“I thought we were fortunate to have the lead the way we played offensively. We were not good. We were not sharp. We had too many penalties. Too many assignment issues, just out of sync the entire first half,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed. “Even at that, if you don’t turn the ball over, we’d probably get away from them a little more. I was glad to see when we weren’t at our best … and I don’t want to make light out of how they played. The reason we weren’t is because they didn’t let us get at our best. But, when you’re not at your best and you’re able to take a look at it at halftime and at least go back and execute and not turn the ball over, that’s a good sign.
“I thought we kind of calmed down, which is good.”
Offensively, El Dorado’s Darius Holly completed 12-of-17 passes for 284 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He also threw an interception. Alex Hicks completed his only pass attempt for 16 yards.
The Wildcats totaled 459 yards with Taliq Ellis hauling in five passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. Richard Kesee rushed for 96 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns.
Ellis, a senior transfer from Lincoln, Nebraska, turned quick hitch passes into big plays throughout the game. He scored on a 36-yard reception off a quick hitch after he made a man miss, eluded another defender and then sprinted down the left sideline for the Wildcats’ first score with 11:06 left in the first. Two plays earlier, Ellis took another short pass 39 yards.
“It was just the way they played. We thought we could get him loose a couple of times,” said Reed. “And then, he busted some tackles, too. He made some great plays tonight. I was really proud of the way he played. He got his ankle twisted a little bit. It didn’t faze him. He went right back.”
El Dorado’s second score was set up by Bowie’s interception. Kesee ran for 16, 6 and then scored on a 5-yard run. Greysen Hubbard, who was perfect on extra points, added the PAT for a 14-0 lead with 9:59 left in the second.
Rucks recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff but the Wildcats gave the ball back on the next play when Hicks and Shun Levingston mishandled the exchange on a jet sweep. Lake Hamilton took advantage of the quick turnover as Malik Brewer creased the defense for a 67-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 14-6 with 9:38 left in the second.
The fumble and, later, the interception ended a frustrating half for the Wildcats, who also were hindered by several costly penalties. El Dorado came out strong in the third, however, opening with a three-and-out defensively before pounding out an 83-yard drive in 11 plays. The first six were rushing plays before Holly hit Ellis for 11 to convert a third-and-4. Ellis also had a 39-yard reception before Kesee scored on a bullish 12-yard run up the gut with 5:41 left in the third.
“Honestly, after the half we decided to get under the center and just calm down and run the ball and a little play action," said Reed. "The first drive we went down almost every play in that personnel group and I thought our offensive line did a good job there."
The Wolves, who had won the previous three meetings against El Dorado, answered right back. Jacob Nichols capped a scoring drive, catching a 19-yard pass from Utah Aiken and diving into the end zone for the touchdown. Jackson Johnson added the PAT, cutting the deficit to 21-13 with 3:26 left in the third.
But, now the Wildcats' offense was cooking. Holly hit tight end Alex Boone for 28 yards before a slew of flags, including a holding, backed El Dorado into a third-and-27. Holly flicked a bubble screen pass to Levingston, who got a block from Ellis before sprinting 66 yards to the end zone. Hubbard's kick pushed the lead to 28-13 with 59 seconds left in the third.
The Wolves tried to respond, marching deep inside El Dorado's 10 after the Wildcats were called for holding on fourth-and-4, giving Lake Hamilton a first down at the 3. On second-and-goal from the 1, the Wolves rushed to the line and tried a QB sneak, which was stuffed by the Wildcats. The ball squirted free and Walter, a senior defensive lineman broke out of the scrum, toting it all the way to the Wolves' 5 before being dragged down. Hicks scored on a 1-yard run to put the game away with 7:42 left on the clock.
“We had good efforts. We have to play better as a group. That’s the whole deal," said Reed. "But, 35-13, I shouldn’t complain. And, 4-0, that’s a good start, a great start.”