Cats' season ends with 3rd loss to Braves
By Randy Glass Sports Writer

The Wildcats played their third game of the season Friday against Cherokee.

This time it was the first round of the 1A state playoffs.

The Braves jumped out to a 12-0 lead only to see Andrews score on an interception to cut the lead to 12-7. But Cherokee scored 40 unanswered points to go up 52-7 and eventually win 52-21.

The Cats saw 14 seniors play their final game. All will be missed.

On the defensive side, senior Rance Rogers led the way on hard hitting tackles. Senior Jordan Hensley and Brody White also played aggressively.

Wayland Curtis also had a good tackling night. Patrick Brannon had a 26-yard interception run for a touchdown and several of the young Cat players did well also.

On the offensive side, sophomore Ramiro Lopez scored his first touchdown on a two-yard dash in the fourth quarter. Nikko Williams accounted for 79 yards in total offense while Chris (Accurate) Ackerman had 68 yards receiving and three extra points to give him 28 for the season.

Senior Tyler Edwards had 93 yards passing and 23 yards rushing.

On Andrews' first possession, a 15-yard completion to Ackerman gave the Cats a first down but they were unable to advance the ball. The Braves' Langston Wood scampered 68 yards to put the Braves up 6-0. Wood moved to number five in western North Carolina history with over 5,300 yards. The Braves blocked an Andrews punt and returned it for a touchdown and a 12-0 lead.

The Cats started their third possession with a 19-yard run by senior Matt Esposito. But the Braves were forced to punt.

With the ball at the 13, the Cats' defense toughened, forcing Wood to pass. Patrick Brannen intercepted and returned the ball 26 yards to score. Accurate's kick was good and the Cats trailed by only five points at 12-7.

The Wildcat defense played good for two downs as Wayland Curtis and senior Jordan Hensley both got tackles for losses. But the Braves completed a 34-yard pass and the Braves went on to score. The Braves steamrolled for the rest of the half to go up 52-7 after one half of play.

On the Cats' first possession of the second half, Ackerman got a 25-yard catch and Edwards ran for 20 yards. But the drive stalled.

Getting the ball back, Williams gained 14 yards and appeared to fumble. But he was down. Sophomore Derek Raxter gained five yards followed by a 12-yard gain by Edwards. A penalty put the ball inside the 10 where Williams ran in to get the Cats their second touchdown and make the score 52-14.

Hensley caused a Brave fumble but the Cats fumbled the ball back.

Later, the Cats got the ball at the 20. Raxter picked up five yards. Then, Williams carried for 15 and then nine yards. Edwards completed a 22-yard pass to Ackerman. Raxter carried for 14 yards to the twoyard line.

Edwards took the ball, averted a tackle and pitched to Lopez, who ran in from the two for his first touchdown of his career. That made the score 52-21.

The Braves advance to another home game versus South Stanly Friday.

The Cats ended their season 2-10. The two wins were the most for Andrews in three years.

It appears that head Coach Ron Dupree resigned as coach, leaving the Cats possibly in the capable hands of Coachs Keith Payne, Joel McCelland, Josh Postell and Jamie West.

Coach Payne was proud of the players and especially the 14 seniors. Payne and coaches told the seniors they were great role models and are welcome back anytime. Payne encouraged the underclassmen to hit the weights and we will see you next year.

The Cats' 14 seniors are Levi Hicks, Matt Esposito, Tyler Edwards, Marc Mainguy, Andy Gibson, Patrick Brannen, Brody White, Robert "Howie" Hill, Jordan Hensley, Ryan Christy, Rance Rogers, Justin Bonilla, Dustin "Duh, Duh" Chance and Nick "Shoney" Queen.

Team stats:

First downs: Andrews 11, Cherokee 14

Rushing: Andrews 27-140, Cherokee 43-347

Passing: Andrews 6-19-0 for 93 yards, Cherokee 5-19 for 119 yards

Andrews individual stats:

Rushing: Edwards 8-23, Esposito 3-23, Hill 3-8, Lopez 1-2 and a TD, Raxter 7-30, Williams 5-54.

Passing: Edwards 6-19 for 93 yards.

Receiving: Ackerman 4-68, Williams 2-25.