Wildcats beatdown the Redskins in a defensive battle with just 23 combined points
By: Nikos Stollenwerk
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CALDWELL, Ohio (WOUB) — In week two of regular season action, the Caldwell Redskins fell to the Waterford Wildcats in their home opener 15-8. With a rivalry on the line and both teams coming into the matchup undefeated, both teams came to play.
The Wildcats proved their tenacity right off the bat thanks to a rumbling 77 yard kick off return down the left sideline thanks to senior running back Kameron Johnson. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Johnson’s effort would be in vain due to a bad snap leading to a fumble and our first change of possession.
After a three-and-out for the Redskins, Waterford would have another strong return, this time leading to a touchdown connection between quarterback Avery Pottmeyer and utility back Hayden Jones. This would not be the last we hear of this dynamic duo.
However, the mistakes did not end for Waterford, as the extra point attempt was over before it started thanks to another muffed snap. The Wildcats ended the first quarter, 6-0.
In the second, Caldwell again struggled to get things going on offense, and Waterford began to drive. A combination of tackles for losses and penalties led to a Wildcat turnover on downs at the Caldwell three-yard line.
Caldwell’s offensive woes did not end. Coming out of a timeout, Johnson and Jones of Waterford forced a tackle for a loss and a safety to add to their lead, making it 8-0 in favor of Waterford with just over eight minutes to play in the second quarter. Caldwell did get their first down of the game with 4:45 to go, but nothing else eventful occurred for the rest of the first half.
The second half started with yet another Caldwell three-and-out, and on the ensuing punt, Jones muffed the punt. The very next play, there was another muffed snap, and Jones again fell on the ball. While Jones was able to recover both balls, this marked the fourth and fifth fumbles of the game from non-contact plays. The anger came out from both fans and players, with fans getting angry about referee calls and an unsportsmanlike penalty on Johnson.
After the Wildcats’ lapse in judgement, the Redskins went to work. Lefty quarterback Blayz Abbott dinked and dunked his way to Caldwell’s first points of the game, ending with a 21-yard bobbling touchdown catch across the middle of the field by sophomore KK Moore. Caldwell was also able to snag a two-point play of their own, making it knotted at eight apiece midway through the third quarter.
Both teams struggled to gain any ground until Waterford finally broke through when Pottmeyer did his job on his final offensive drive, and on the final three plays, Jones was handed the rock, and he delivered, including on a pivotal third-and-one play in which Jones gave his squad twenty yards. With under twenty seconds to play, Jones scored again, and this time the extra point was good.
The final play ended in a Pottmeyer interception, ending the game with a final score of 15-8. Waterford stays undefeated while Caldwell falls to 1-1 on the season.
The Waterford Wildcats will take on Shenandoah in their home opener next week, and the Caldwell Redskins will host Tuslaw.