SULLIGENT – The Oakman Wildcats came up short on the road against Sulligent on Friday night, losing the season-opener 36-18.
The Wildcats were forced to punt on their first drive of the game, allowing Sulligent to jump out to an 8-0 lead to as the Blue Devils scored on their opening drive.
Oakman tied the game, 6-6, in the second quarter. Sulligent answered four minutes later to retake the lead.
Rick Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to make make it 14-12 at halftime.
With 3:31 left in the third quarter, Sulligent scored again to go up 22-12. The ‘Cats fumbled the ensuing kickoff, putting Sulligent in position to score twice in just 11 seconds.
Oakman answered on the next drive when quarterback Trace Cagle connected with Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Trace Cagle went 6-of-12 passing for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed the ball for 47 yards, including three quarterback sacks. Rick Johnson caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Bridger Upton rushed the ball four times for 28 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown. Oakman’s offense totaled 161 rushing yards on 31 attempts.
Defensively, the Wildcats gave up over 300 yards to the Wildcats. They were led on defense by Logan Tarvin with five solo tackles, one assist and a blocked extra point.
The Wildcats host county-rival Cordova next week.
BREMEN – Curry lost its season opener on the road Friday 36-14 to Cold Springs.
The Yellow Jackets hung close to the Eagles throughout the first half. Cold Springs led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Eagles pushed that lead to 22-14 at halftime.
Curry quarterback Josh Day threw two touchdown downs of 58 and 42 yards.
The Yellow Jackets return to Travis Hudson Stadium for their home opener against Berry next week.
On Thursday night, Dora and Cordova both lost games at home.
In a back-and-forth battle at Hudson Kerby Field, Fayette County took the lead over Cordova with a 23-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Cordova took over with time to retake the lead, but the Blue Devils drive ended with a Cody Headrick interception to seal the win for the Tigers.
Cordova travels to Oakman next week
Just down the road, Dora failed to overcome a 21-7 fourth quarter deficit against Winfield, ultimately losing 28-22 at home.
The Bulldogs travel to Oneonta next week.
Jeffery Winborne, James Phillips, Randy Fielding and Bubba Cagle contributed to this report.
UPDATE 8/20/22 1:08 a.m. – Story updated to include more details from Oakman’s game against Sulligent.
