According to statistics provided by KIX-103, Cabot had 505 yards of total offense in Friday’s 41-35 victory over El Dorado. The bulk of that came through the air and on two running plays of 65 and 41 yards.
“I was pretty happy with our defense overall. I’m not happy with the points,” said El Dorado defensive coordinator Trey Outlaw. “You hold Scott Reed to 14 points through three quarters essentially, something is going well for you. Our guys had to make another big adjustment from losing another linebacker before half. Had to go back to our four front. It’s something we’ll have to continue to overcome obstacles against us and continue to get better.”
The Wildcats’ senior linebacker Jyrin Steward was ejected in the first half. He will miss the first half of this week’s game against Magnolia.
Mario Ganter led El Dorado with 10 tackles. Patrick Sixbey had nine tackles, including four tackles for loss. Rakel Williams had four tackles and an interception with a 47-yard return. Takoi Steward and Jyrin Steward had four tackles apiece.
Cabot’s Braden Jay had eight receptions for 229 yards with four touchdowns.
“Their receiver is a dude, man. He is something special,” said Outlaw. “He made, maybe, one of the best high school catches I’ve ever seen. He’s got Mario all over him and then makes the one-handed catch at the front of the end zone on fourth-and-15. I don’t know what you do to that. You’re in great position. The ball was thrown perfectly. It was just a really good play.”
The Panthers, ranked No. 2 in Class 7A, scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:07 remaining.
“Loved the effort, just have to finish. Until about five seconds left in the third quarter, we held the second best team in the state, according to Hootens, to 14 points,” said Outlaw. “By the end of the game, they had 41, whether it was from good breaks for them or penalties against us, accurate or not accurate, it really doesn’t matter. We just have to finish.”