After a few weeks of injuries and inconsistencies, the Wildcats’ point-scoring unit showed its true self as the team rolled past visiting Eastern Missouri Conference foe Mark Twain by a 40-6 score.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Roughly halfway through the season, the Wright City offense is ready to roll.
After a few weeks of injuries and inconsistencies, the Wildcats’ point-scoring unit showed its true self as the team rolled past visiting Eastern Missouri Conference foe Mark Twain by a 40-6 score.
While senior TJ Hamel accounted for 126 yards and three touchdown receptions to go along with 28 rushing yards and another score, it was the full-fledged attack that excited the wideout.
“We knew that all fade (routes) were going to be open,” Hamel said. “Coach K (Wright City coach John Klekamp) told us the routes were going to be open and then they started pressing. We were like, ‘Alright,’ and then he added in fade routes. We ran that well against them. I’ve been working hard over the summer. Kaveon (Schulte) and I can be the two best receivers in the conference, easily. Kaveon is my cousin, so whatever he does is going to fire me up and what I do fires him up.”
Schulte’s 26-yard touchdown did just that for his cousin.
A fired-up Hamel pulled in scores of 31-, 32-, and 45-yard touchdowns in the win.
He also added a rushing touchdown of nine yards in the fourth quarter that had his quarterback, junior Kayden McCurdy, fired up.
“I’ve got the two best receivers in the conference and it’s amazing,” said McCurdy of Schulte and Hamel. “I’m getting TJ the ball this year because he can work in open space. I saw him cut back on that run and I knew I had to go block. I was excited for him to score.”
After Hamel, Schulte added 63 receiving yards. Wright City had nine rushers carry the ball, led by McCurdy’s 67 yards.
The effort came in the stead of senior back Benji Rodriguez, who sat out the win in the hopes of being ready for the team’s Homecoming game at 7 p.m. on Friday against South Shelby.
“We decided we were going to let Kayden do his thing,” Klekamp said. “We had to find one (a rushing outlet) with Benji out. The goal is for him to be back for Homecoming, but we had to find someone to carry the ball (against Mark Twain).”
On defense for Wright City, the effort went far beyond the six points allowed.
A.J. Serrano led the team with 12 total tackles while Even Baum pitched in nine.
“I felt like we were all flying around on defense and everything was just flowing,” Serrano said. “The secondary, the linebackers, the D-line, everything was going great. I felt like, after that first drive, the defense was going to do really well.”
After Serrano’s efforts, the team also got sacks from Baum and Schulte to go along with an interception by senior Kayden Speiser and fumble recoveries from Serrano and junior Bryce Chunn.
“All year long, the defense has gotten off the field,” Klekamp said. “We’re going to bend but not break. We’ve done that all year long, no matter who we’ve played against. A.J. Serrano, not having him early in the season with a hamstring injury, hurt us.”
With the team’s first win under its belt, Wright City will now look to Homecoming and a date with South Shelby (4-1).
Wright City defeated the Cardinals 41-16 last season.
“We’re going to have a hard week of practice to get ready,” Klekamp said. “We want to build off of this. Getting a first win is nice but we want it (the success) to continue.”
