In its highest scoring effort this season, the Wright City football team was finally able to break into the win column. The Wildcats outlasted Van-Far 44-30 during Eastern Missouri Conference action on Friday. Senior quarterback Jared Schmidt scored five rushing touchdowns, as Wright City improved to 1-4. Coach James Weir says it was another solid rushing performance by his team, but the difference maker was the Wildcats’ ability to finish drives. “We were moving the ball in our earlier games, but we just hadn’t been putting enough together to get the drive into the end zone,” said Weir. Aside from executing its drives to completion, the Wildcats also cut down on mental mishaps that had previously existed. “We didn’t have all the penalties that were hurting us before,” said Weir. “As the younger guys get more used to being in the game, we’re making fewer mistakes.” Wright City marched downfield on its first possession, with Schmidt scoring on a two-yard run. The Wildcats went ahead 8-0 after another run by Schmidt, but Van-Far provided an answer early. The Indians tied the game on a 40-yard interception return, providing themselves a dose of momentum. Wright City promptly negated that when Rico Blanks took a hook-and-ladder play from Tyler Hessler 85 yards to the end zone. The Wildcats led 16-14 heading into the second quarter. Van-Far jumped ahead 22-16 after connecting on a touchdown through the air. Weir says the Indians didn’t necessarily shine on offense but were able to take advantage of some breaks. He commended his defense on a solid effort. “Our defense played great and held them down the whole time,” said Weir. Schmidt responded with another rushing touchdown, and the Wildcats regained control 24-22 by halftime. Despite playing in just his third game as starting signal caller, Schmidt rose to the challenge and continued to drive his team down the field in the second half. He plunged in from three yards out, and Matt Dollard converted on the run to push the Wildcats ahead 32-22. Weir says Schmidt has done an exceptional job of taking over for junior Nick Hanff, who has missed the past three games after being injured against Clopton. “He’s getting more used to carrying the ball a bunch,” said Weir. “He’s become a lot more comfortable with what we’re doing. He’s making better decisions and is used to the speed of the varsity level.” Van-Far threatened again, scoring on a pass play. But the Wildcats executed on consecutive long drives of 92 and 85 yards to make certain a first win didn’t evade them for another week. “Grote did a great of blocking,” said Weir. “He twisted his ankle but stayed in the game and kept getting after it.” Dollard scored on a two yard run, giving Wright City a 38-20 edge. Blanks snagged an interception on Van-Far’s next drive, and Schmidt ended a deliberate drive with a five-yard touchdown run. Weir says the Wildcats ran behind the stellar blocking of Derek Grote. “Grote did a great of blocking,” said Weir. “He twisted his ankle but stayed in the game and kept getting after it.” Schmidt concluded the game with 153 yards on 26 carries, while Dollard had 101 yards on 18 carries. “Van-Far has a lot of sophomores and juniors starting like we do,” said Weir. “The teams we had lost to were senior-heavy teams.” The Wildcats travel to Montgomery County this Friday for another Eastern Missouri Conference matchup.