Wildcats dampen Seahawks 44 to 6
More Minutes of Mercy
Published September 16 2006
Centreville Wildcats finished their home opener with a victory over the South Lakes Seahaws 44 to 6. The evening started slowly, then became wet, and finished in a speedy manner as the final 18 minutes of game time were played under the new "mercy rule." This was the second time this season that Centreville forced the use of the new rule.
Fans Rule
Wildcat fans filled the bleachers early, pumped with excitement and anxious
to see the first home game of the season. After so many early games on the
road, it feels like our favorite football squad hasn't been on this turf
in years! The Class of 2007 is proudly represented, front
and center in the bleachers, with wild colors and infinite spirit. They are
ready for some football!
Game Stats!
Want to see some numbers from the South Lakes game? We've got 'em! Click here to see game stats! We have published 'year to date' stats - click this to see those.
South Lakes won the toss and opted to receive at the beginning of the second half. Centreville took possession of the ball and quickly scored on a Van Chew pass to Brandon Williams. With 11:03 still to play in the first quarter, Patrick Rosa's extra point was good giving the Wildcats 7 to the Seahawks zero.
The two teams followed the quick, early action with a few unproductive series. Wildcats take possession of the ball on downs at the 37 yard line. After nine plays, three first-downs, and a long pause for a Seahawks injury, Brandon Davis scores on another Van Chew pass. Rosa's extra point is good, with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter the Wildcats extend their lead to 14 to zero.
Pain of Penalties
Penalties begin to plague Centreville as the only meaningful offensive progress for South Lakes comes from Wildcat penalties. This does not distract the Centreville defense, as Donnell Carpenter scoops-up a Seahawk fumble near the end of the first quarter. As the Wildcat offense finds itself in excellent scoring position, they rapidly drive the ball into the end zone, only to have it called back by a penalty. The drive ends in an unsuccessful field goal attempt. The first quarter ends with the ball in Seahawk hands and the lead in Wildcat hands, 14 to zero.
The Centreville defense continues to shut-down the South Lakes offense. The Cat's offense find themselves on the field again, keeping the ball on the ground and right into the end zone. But wait! Another Wildcat penalty pulls the ball right back and prevents another touchdown. Centreville is now carefully working their way closer to the goal line. On a heads-up reaction, Van Chew spots a hole and leaps across the goal line as he is hit by Seahawk defenders and flips into the end zone for Wildcat touchdown. With 9:46 left in the second quarter, the extra point is good and the Wildcat lead climbs to 21 to zero.
The Centreville defense continues to handle the South Lakes offense. Nick
Basalyga has a huge tackle in the backfield for a Seahawk loss. Wildcats
again take possession from a South Lakes punt. The offense is 
looking crisp,
again and, with 5:55 still to play in the first half, Van Chew sneaks the
ball into the end zone for his second touchdown of the evening. Ryan
Carlson's extra point is good elevating the Wildcat lead to 28
to zero.
Demolition Crew
Now, don't forget, it's still the first half of the game, folks! Penalties have been a problem for the Wildcats, but they continue to be tough and the defense is relentless. The next Seahawk possession is demolished with key tackles by Donnell Carpenter, Nick Basalyga, Brett Blumer and Darryl Hamilton. South Lakes attempts a punt, and a bad snap sends the ball over the head of the kicker! Wildcats earn a safety as they pounce on the ball, nudging the score to 30 to zero. Don't rush to the concession stand, yet — we still have 3:41 to play in the first half of this game.
The next Centreville possession ends with South Lakes getting the ball on downs. A few fruitless plays later the first half of the game ends with the score Centreville 30 to South Lakes' zero. Mizzle (mix of mist and drizzle) begins to fall as the marching band takes the field to entertain the Wildcat fans. The mizzle turns to rain as umbrellas pop open and the cheerleaders slip into their rain gear. The teams return to the soggy field for a second half that promises to be slippery and fast!
The Wetter Half
It's raining as South Lakes receives the Centreville kick. The Wildcat defense shuts-down the Seahawks and forces a punt into Wildcat hands. Eight plays later Brandon Davis benefits from excellent blocking and scores another Wildcat touchdown running down the left-side of the field. Carlson's extra point is good and the score is now Centreville 37 and South Lakes zero. With 6:07 left to play in the third quarter, the new "mercy rule" goes into effect. This means, essentially, that the officials do not change their mechanics of running the game, just the clock operation is modified — plays that typically would stop the clock, do not (click here to read more about the "mercy rule").
The rain stops as South Lakes takes possession of the football. Conditions are slippery but that doesn't stop the Wildcat defense. With key tackles by Darryl Hamilton and Tommy Dorrzapf the Seahawks are again forced to punt the ball. Wildcats run a series of plays that find them on the seven yard line as the third quarter ends. The teams move to the opposite side of the field and play resumes.
On the first snap of the fourth quarter P.J. Dunegan is the quarterback, and runs the ball for another Wildcat touchdown. Carlson's extra point is good and the Centreville lead zooms up to 44 and the Seahawks zero. Just nine seconds have ticked-away in the fourth quarter, so we still have 11:51 to play in this game.
The South Lakes offense takes the field and breaks into a huge run down the left-side of the field. Looks like he's going all the way, until Nick Basalyga crumples the runner on the three yard line. Seahawks take advantage of their offensive spot and run the ball to a touchdown. Their extra point attempt is not good, and the Seahawks replace their zero with a 6 to Centreville's 44.
As Wildcat fans and cheerleaders are dancing to "cotton eyed joe" on the PA system, Seahawk players can be seen joining the dancing as they approach the scrimmage line for the kick. Really — they were dancing.
Centreville takes possession of the kick, but the offense has trouble finding their footing. They burn-up some time off the clock, and eventually punt the ball to South Lakes. Four downs and another punt places the ball back in Wildcat hands, and that's how the game ends. With that new "mercy rule" in effect time flies! Wildcats end the evening with their third victory in a row and a final score of 44 to 6.
Say Cheese!
We have one gallery of photos ready for visitors, and we expect more to appear soon! Stay tuned for new galleries, and click here to visit Gallery 1 right now. If you have photos you'd like to share,
Coming Soon...
WildcatNation.org has begun to collect statistics for games and the year-to-date. It takes a while to compile all the numbers, but we'll publish them when we get 'em. Next week the Varsity Wildcats play a special Thursday home game, when they host the squad from West Potomac. Mark your calendars for Thursday night!
