Central Wildcats Win in Overtime against Zachary Broncos

By Beth Fussell; Stats by Nathan Corley; Photos by Expressions Photography

    The Wildcats went into last Friday’s game at Zachary with the knowledge that the winner stands to take the district championship, should they win out.  It was a high pressure situation, and the tension only grew throughout the game as both teams traded turnovers and the Central defense worked like mad to keep the Broncos out of the end zone.

    It was a hard fought game all the way through, but the fight really began with 8 seconds left in the game.  Heading to the end of the fourth quarter, it seemed the Wildcats were in the driver’s seat, having made two field goals for a total of 6 points vs Zachary’s 0.  Zachary drove steadily up the field in the last 90 seconds, and with 8 seconds left, they set up a successful touchdown pass.  The score was now tied at 6-6, but Zachary still had the extra point to kick.  With full bleachers of screaming Central fans, the Wildcats lined up to try to stop the PAT.  At just the right moment, Central’s Logan Metcalfe took a leap and blocked the kick, sending the Wildcats and their fans into a frenzy.  After an uneventful Zachary kickoff, the game went into overtime. 

    The Wildcats started on defense, and held Zachary to a field goal.  The heat was then on for CHS kicker Matthew Thibodeaux when the Wildcats could not make it to the end zone.  Thibodeaux made the crucial kick, and a second overtime began, this time with Central driving first.  CHS found the goal this time, with James “J.R.” Richardson rushing in for the TD, and Matthew Thibodeaux coming through again with the successful extra point.  Afterward, in what would be the final play of the game, Zachary took a necessary shot at the end zone, only to find the hands of Wildcat Cooper Moore for the game-ending intereception.

    Congratulations to the Wildcats for this huge win.  Central has just three games left in the regular season.  They will be playing this Friday at Walker at 7 p.m.  Don’t miss out!

Logan Metcalfe blocks Zachary's extra point, saving the game for the Wildcats and sending it into overtime.  (Expressions Photography)