It was the best of times. It was the worst of times...it only took me 8 posts to get in an obscure literature reference! Tonight's is a tale of two cities and a tale of two halves. Coach Bailey's defense came out of the gate like gang busters, holding Randolph County to 3 and out on their first three possessions and sacking the QB Sparks twice in the first quarter. The offense was doing its job too, scoring on our opening possession after converting a 4th and 5 around the Tiger 35 yard line. The Cats scored again with just under 4 minutes to go in the 2nd. The Cats dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball as well as the clock.
On the Tigers' last drive before the half, they finally managed to pick up their first 1st down of the night. Then, aided by a couple of penalties, reached the endzone to cut Woodland's lead to 7 as the half ended.
Woodland received the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, and put together another touchdown drive. The defense held RC to 3 and out on the ensuing possession, setting up our second touchdown in less than six minutes. Then, with two minutes left in the 3rd quarter, RC finds the endzone, making it a 28-14 game.
The fourth quarter was all Tigers. Two TDs later, with less than a minute to go, the Bobcats found themselves having to stop RC one more time to force overtime. Woodland won the toss and elected to play defense first. They picked up 5 on 1st down, but the next snap sailed over the QBs head, setting up 2nd and a long 27. An incomplete pass on 3rd down lead to a field goal attempt that fell just short.
Then, it was our turn. My Daddy, who came with me tonight, asks as the RC field goal attempt hit the grass yards shy of the goal post if we could kick a field goal. My response was "from the 10...yeah...we just don't need to lose yards." But, lose yards we did. The officials call a delay of game despite their failure to whistle in the play. On 1st and 15, we commit an illegal shift. It's 1st and 20. The snap goes to the QB who rolls right, has a man open, but slips down. It's 2nd and 22. We pick up four yards on a run. On 3rd and 18, a pass over the middle from Barron to McManus is good for 16. After another penalty, a field goal by McManus on 4th and 7 is good. Bobcats win, 31-28. They celebrate a huge victory over a rival and a playoff berth.
I'm proud of our team for playing hard, leaving it all out on the field, and overcoming challenges this week. I'm proud of a community that came out into the cold and supported our guys. I'm proud of the band and cheerleaders and everyone involved in making our game atmosphere a great one. I'm proud of the Bobcat alumni who support their younger brothers and lend a hand to hold a sign when needed! (Thanks Nape, Kody, Rick, and Snyder. You guys are awesome; you know what for) I'm proud that my dad was there with me tonight.
And, I'm proud of our coaches. I know how hard they've worked for this. It was fun and wild and awesome. And, in the end, I'm so proud to have been among the other WHS coaches' wives yelling and worrying and even feeling sick in the stands tonight. I'm still shaking from the nerves! What a night.
Congrats coaches and players on a great game!
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| Post-game celebration - A Woodland Tradition photo credit: Marc Smith |
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