It was unfamiliar territory for Wright City. None of their previous nine games had gone past regulation. Perhaps they were even surprised to be deadlocked with the same team that had beaten them by …
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Wright City Falls to Orchard Farm in Double OT
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
It was unfamiliar territory for Wright City.None of their previous nine games had gone past regulation.Perhaps they were even surprised to be deadlocked with the same team that had beaten them by four touchdowns earlier in the season.Nonetheless, with potentially the most gratifying victory of the season right at their fingertips, the Wildcats couldn’t hold on. Wright City fell to Orchard 33-27 in double overtime on Friday, ending the season at 4-6.“I couldn’t be any more proud of the kids,” said Coach Matt Brooks. “I know they’re disappointed, but they showed a lot of character tonight.”Senior Ben Randolph missed two field-goal attempts in overtime, but it was his normally-accurate foot that had ultimately put the Wildcats in position for a win.Brooks says his players will probably remember the most painful moments from the heartbreaking setback, but there were plenty of highlights for Wright City.“Those same guys that are upset with themselves for a missed play here and there are the ones who helped put us in a position to win,” asserted Brooks.Orchard Farm had shut out the Wildcats 32-0 in early September, and early on it appeared the same result was in store again.The Eagles led 13-0 six minutes into the game, connecting on a 61-yard touchdown pass on their opening drive and scoring again after recovering a fumble on the Wright City 17-yard line.“They jumped on us early, and that turnover looked like it was going to be costly,” said Brooks. “It was important for us to respond right away.”And the Wildcats were quick to stop the bleeding, giving their offense a chance to close the gap.A methodical drive of short plays, including effective running by quarterback Kyle Tuepker and a trio of running backs was capped off by a three-yard touchdown by Derenzo Blanks early in the second quarter.“We had a lot more success running the ball and were able to match their physicality,” said Brooks. “I think we caught them off guard a little bit.”The teams traded possessions in the second period, with Steven Soltysiak snagging an interception before the Wildcats gave up another fumble. They were able to move the ball enough to put Randolph in position to make a 26- and 27-yard field goal, with the latter coming :01 before halftime.“It would have been nice to have gotten a touchdown on one of those drives, but it’s also nice to know we can rely on Ben to gradually get us back into the game,” said Brooks.Jarred by the 13-13 predicament, Orchard Farm’s offense sputtered out on multiple drives in the third quarter.Finally, the Eagles regained control, when Armand Keely gashed the Wright City defense for a 92-yard touchdown run.But Orchard Farm missed the extra point, and Lamone Davis put the Wildcats back up 20-19 on the ensuing drive. Another interception by Soltysiak set himself up for a two-yard score with :35 remaining in the third quarter.“It just seemed like showed a lot of resiliency in this game,” said Brooks. “Every time our guys kept getting back up and had an answer for their big plays.”Wright City led 27-19 until the 1:20 mark of the fourth period.Keely, who was noticeably trying to encourage his teammates not to surrender throughout the second half, scored from two yards out and also punched in the two-point conversion.“He’s a dangerous player, and I thought we had done a good job of containing him for much of the game,” said Brooks.Entering the first overtime, Wright City had the first possession and opted for a field-goal attempt on third down. Brooks says it was a means of security.“I thought we should go for it on third down in case we get a bad snap and need another down,” said Brooks.He again went to Randolph in the second overtime after the Wildcats came up short of a first down.“It’s unfortunate, but Ben had made a lot of great plays to keep us in the game,” said Brooks.This time, Orchard Farm wouldn’t even need to test its special teams. Keely found the holes in the Wright City defense and scurried into the end zone, carrying his team to victory.“It was a disappointing ending, but you have to look at the bigger picture and realize how much we improved from Week Two to Week 10 against the same team,” said Brooks. “We, ourselves, are definitely not the same team as then.”
Wright City sophomore Kyle Tuepker carries the ball during the Wildcats' loss at Orchard Farm.
