Wildcats fall to Swain 32-13
By Randy Glass Sports Writer

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel Photo Wildcat quarterback Tyler Edwards rolls out to pass.

Despite playing a great defensive scheme, the Andrews Wildcats Friday lost to Swain 32-13.

The Cats' defense, led by Rance Rogers, played a good defensive game as the score was only 7-0 after the first quarter. The Maroon Devils, after going 0-7, have now won two in a row.

The Cats had several defensive stars as senior Brody White returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown. The speedy White was not going to be caught in his race to the endzone. White also had a 32-yard average on punts and one punt traveled 60 yards.

Other players who played well on the defensive side were senior Ryan Christy, junior Devin Miller, Senior Tyler Edwards and senior Jordan Hensly.

On offense, sophomore Nikko Williams had a good game receiving with five catches. Receiving sensation Chris Ackerman had two receptions, one for a 22-yard touchdown as he drug players into the endzone. Senior quarterback Tyler Edwards had 120 yards passing and a touchdown along with 12 yards rushing.

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel Photo Cat running back Matt Esposito follows Robert Hill for a gain.

The Maroon Devils scored early in the second quarter to go up 13-0. The Devils scored again near the end of the half and led 19-0.

In the third quarter, the Maroon Devils scored twice to go up 32-0. The Cats' defense then came through as the Cats stripped the ball from the Devils and White scooped the ball up and carried it to the endzone to put the Cats on the board at 32-6. Ackerman's kick hit the right crossbar and bounced back for his first miss of the year after over 20 successful points after. The third quarter ended with a score

of 32-6.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cats mounted a ball control drive. Ackerman caught two passes on the drive, one for a 22-yard touchdown and a final score of 32-13.

Defensive coach Keith Payne said the Cats' defense did a good job as the Devils had the ball for over 40 plays in the first half. Head Coach Ron Dupree sees improvement in the Cats from last year. The coaching staff is taking the Cats in the right direction as the losses have been closer than last year and the Cats have two wins this season with two games left. In the three previous seasons, the Cats had only one win each year.

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel Photo The Andrews Wildcat cheerleaders were a special part of every Cat football game.

Friday is Andrews' last home game as they take on the powerful Cherokee Braves. The Braves have a powerful running attack led by a 1,200-yard rusher. The Braves' record is 6-3 and 3-1 in conference. Friday will be senior night so come out and rally the Cats on.

Team stats:

First downs: Andrews 10, Swain 16;

Rushing: Andrews 25-50, Swain 38-176;

Passing: Andrews 11-28-2 for 120 yards and a TD, Swain 12-19-153 and a TD;

Andrews individual stats:

Rushing: Raxter 9-20, Edwards 10-12, Williams 5-11, Esposito 1-2.

Passing: Edwards 11-28-2 and a TD.

Receiving: Miller 3-32, Ackerman 2-37 and a TD, Williams 5-32.