Clay Beathard’s Wildcats went on the road and use a late rally to top Williamson County foe Page to remain undefeated. BGA (5-0, 2-0) would use their potent offense to take the ball 80 yards to score a touchdown and two-point conversion with 15 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, where they would eventually top the Patriots (4-2, 2-0).
First Half Proves a Tale of Two Quarters
BGA would open the scoring by taking advantage of a blocked punt and taking over at the Page 26-yard line. After taking the ball inside the five yard line on the ground, Clay Beathard would connect with Marcus Cawthorne from 3 yards out to open the scoring. The snap on the point after attempt would be bobbled and the score would stay at 6-0. On the ensuing drive, Page was able to move the ball into the redzone, but a bobbled snap on the field goal attempt would lead to the kick being blocked. BGA would come right back down field, as Beathard would find Cawthorne for his second touchdown from 43 yards out, put the Wildcats on top 13-0.
At the start of the second quarter, Page would again move the ball into the redzone, but a fumble at the 6-yard line would give BGA the ball back. The Wildcats would move downfield and into the redzone, but coverage would make Beathard force the ball into traffic, where Page’s Michael Roberts would intercept it. This time, the Patriots would take full advantage, as Roberts ran in the Patriots first touchdown from 11 yards out. The Wildcats offense would take the field and would once again move inside the Page 20, but Roberts would once again pick off Beathard and return it to midfield. The Patriots would fumble the ball in scoring range again, but a quick 3 and out by the Wildcats would give Page the ball. Michael Magochy would not be denied, completing two passes, the second being a 39-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Johnson. At the half, Page led 14-13.
Methodical Second Half Leads to Frantic Rally
Page would open the second half’s scoring, as Dillon Myers would score from six yards out, giving the Patriots a 21-13 lead. BGA would once again move the ball inside the Page 20, but Michael Roberts would step up, stopping JP Beasley on 4th and goal. The fourth quarter would see Page and BGA trade possession via punts 3 times before the Wildcats would take over with 3 minutes left in regulation. Clay Beathard would step in, needing to move his team downfield quickly. Against the Page defense, Beathard would march the Wildcats downfield before a 1 yard touchdown plunge with 15 seconds left would make the score 21-19. Needing the two-point conversion, BGA would use Cawthorne and Frierson to open up space outside for Paul Trapeni to tie the game at 21.
In overtime, Beathard would find Jaylen Frierson from 10 yards out to give the Wildcats the 28-21 lead. After a BGA penalty, Michael Roberts would take Page’s first play in from five yards out. A neutral zone infraction on BGA would shorten the PAT to a yard and a half, which Page would decide to go for the win. A frantic rollout by Magochy would not develop and he would dive for the endzone, coming up mere inches short and giving BGA the victory.
In a game where Page would outgain BGA offensively and hold Beathard to 244 yards through the air, turnovers and penalties would prove the difference for the Wildcats. Including the special teams miscues, BGA would win the turnover margin 4-2 and be called for 9 penalties, as opposed to the Patriots 13.
For BGA, they look to continue their undefeated ways against division opponent Davidson Academy. The Patriots look to rebound from this week’s heartbreak against regional adversary Tullahoma for homecoming.
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