Sun September 10, 2023

By Lance Hawley

Sports Hope

Defense Shines in Bobcats 14-12 Victory Over Ashdown

Hope Bobcat Football Bobcats Football
Defense Shines in Bobcats 14-12 Victory Over Ashdown
Ashdown- One week after a frustrating three-point loss to Nashville, Hope set their sights on a new opponent as they headed to Ashdown to take on the Panthers. Hungry for a win, the defense showed up and showed out as they held Ashdown to 12 points. Spectacular play from Richard Cunningham, who recorded five sacks to help the Bobcats topped the Panthers 14-12. Little did we know at the time that one of the Bobcats biggest plays of the game turned out to be a blocked PAT in the first quarter that forced a two-point conversion attempt in the final minutes of the game. 

Ashdown jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter, after a would-be INT was nullified due to a defensive penalty, Ashdown would score a couple of plays later for the first points of the game. It was a struggle all night for offenses to find any sort of rhythm as both defenses played very well. Tamorien Lindsey would get the Bobcats on the board in the second quarter as he busted a TD run. Joshua Ramos would knock through the PAT to put the Bobcats ahead 7-6. 

With Hope clinging to a 7-6 lead at the half, Tyler Patterson found Issac Love for a TD in the third quarter. This is Patterson and Love’s second TD connection in as many games. Ramos would bury the PAT to extend the lead to 14-6. 

Fast-forwarding to halfway through the fourth quarter as Hope’s defense continued to dominate the game, the Bobcats had a mishap on a special-teams play that put the Panthers in great field position. The Panthers would punch in the TD to make the score 14-12. The Bobcats would swarm to the runner and bring him down about a foot short of the endzone on the conversion attempt to keep the score 14-12. Ashdown would get the ball back late in the fourth with a chance for the win. Richard Cunningham mad another great play on third down to force a fourth down. On fourth down, Sidney Ross would make a play and sack the QB to end the Panthers chance at a victory. 

Defensively, Richard Cunningham had a great game with 5 sacks and 8 tackles. KD Gulley once again filled the stat sheet up with 11 tackles and a couple of pass break-ups. Juan Ortiz had another good game at LB with 6 tackles. Donovan Jones, Jakobi Scott, and Kamron Walton each had 5 tackles. Offensively, Tyler Patterson threw for 142 yards and 1 TD, Issac Love hauled in 4 passes for 38 yards and a TD. Zyun Brown had 32 yards receiving, Jay Monk with 28, and KD Gulley caught a pass for 34 yards. Tamorien Lindsey had 139 yards rushing with a TD and 20 receiving. Joshua Ramos was 2/2 on PATs. Hope (1-1) will have its opener against Prescott (2-1) Friday. Kickoff at 7PM. 

Photos by Brianna Maclaughlin

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