Friday night’s season opener ended a lot more satisfactory than it began for Wright City.

The Wildcats pummeled Palmyra 26-6 during the school’s first-ever meeting on the gridiron.

Coach James Weir would like to credit his defense with a shutout, arguing that Palmyra’s lone third-quarter touchdown was a product of questionable calls, including a personal foul that kept the Panthers’ scoring drive alive.

“I thought the defense played outstanding tonight,” said Weir. “They got a touchdown on a pass interference penalty that was ridiculous. Other than that, they just shut them down big time.”

Senior Nick Reese says he was proud of what the defense accomplished.

“We played physical, and I liked the way we played tonight,” said Reese. “The defense should be proud of how they played.”

Offensively, the Wildcats felt there was more to be desired and counted their flaws.

Wright City incurred mechanical failures during a two-hour bus ride north, and the offense did a similar stalling act once it hit the field. Whatever the cause — jetlag or jitters — it took a while for the Wildcats to find their blocks up front.

“We get a play where one person doesn’t do their job and all the sudden we’re second-and-12,” said Weir. “It took a little bit for that crew ... I think we just wore them down, going no huddle with it in the second half.”

Palmyra’s offense  also lacked efficiency in the first quarter, as neither team managed a first down until the game’s fifth series.

On the first play after taking over deep in Wright City territory, senior Trent Davis cut to the right edge and raced down the sidelines for a 91-yard touchdown. Following a failed 2-point conversion, the Wildcats led 6-0 with 3:54 remaining in the opening period.

Wright City tacked on another score with 9:12 left in the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-four, Davis hit senior Deon Bradshaw for a 14-yard touchdown strike. Another failed two-point conversion put the Wildcats ahead 12-0, a score that would remain until the break.

Palmyra marched into enemy territory midway through the second quarter before stalling on the 35-yard line. The Panthers’ offense was limited primarily to the ground game, which was headlined by quarterback Austin Hinkle. He led his team to the Wright City 17-yard line before time expired on a fourth-down attempt to close out the half.

While the Wildcats felt their mistakes were limited, they also acknowledged the significance of those errors.

Senior Delante Blanks broke a big run into Palmyra territory on third down early in the second half, but the Wildcats fumbled on the very next play.

The Panthers ended up scoring on the turnover, as frustration mounted and Wright City incurred a penalty to keep the drive alive.

“Our biggest problem was mental errors,” said Nick Reese. “Aside from that, we played well.”

Weir says those mistakes resonated with his team. Perhaps it was why they were happy but not content with a 26-6 win.

“Our kids weren’t very excited about winning 26-6, which is a nice thing,” said Weir. “Years ago, we would have been up all night partying. Now they realize they’ve got to get a lot better — that 26-6 is not good enough when you play that sloppy.”

Davis began to carry the bulk of the yards late in the third quarter. He toted the ball all six times during an 80-yard scoring drive to push the Wildcats ahead 20-6 with 2:46 left in the third. The school’s all-time leading rusher marched another 51 yards on the ensuing drive, scoring from 17 yards out.

“Trent had Nick Reese up there blocking for him,” said Weir. “He did a good job of just following those guys and getting after it.”

Having worn down the Panthers up front, Wright City was able to control the line of scrimmage late. Cody Cox and Reese each stepped in to carry the ball during the fourth quarter.

“We’re stronger than this team, and Palmyra had a bunch of young kids out here tonight,” acknowledged Weir.

Davis finished with 273 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Blanks finished 41 yards on four carries. Bote, Reese and Cox each rushed for 31 yards. Bote was one-for-three for 10 yards, while Davis completed a pair of passes.

Senior Mike Abrolat led the Wildcat receivers with one catch for 38 yards.

“This was a big weight off our shoulders,” said Reese. “We came in not having played this team before, so we didn’t know how they were going to play. We definitely didn’t just shove them aside.”

The Wildcats will host Clopton at Warrenton High School on Saturday at 1 p.m.