The lights were on, the chinstraps were buckled, and the excitement was high on Thursday evening for fans who were starved for football. Melbourne and Izard County Consolidated converged for a preseason football scrimmage. Fans for both teams turned out to see their teams, with Melbourne fans overflowing the seating capacity in the visiting bleacher section of Cougar Stadium.
The junior high teams played two 8-minute quarters to start the action. In the junior high scrimmage, Melbourne defeated ICC 24-6. The Bearkatz struck first when Quarterback Abe Cooper rushed to the end zone for the touchdown and 2-point conversion for the early 8-0 score after 3 minutes.
ICC answered back on the next possession with a pass reception by Spray who ran the pigskin into the end zone. However, the Cougars could not tie the game as the Bearkatz busted up the 2-point conversion attempt. Melbourne’s defense forced two more stops and the Cougar’s final drive ended when Mason Wren picked the Cougar pass.
Abe Cooper finished the scrimmage with three rushing touchdowns and a two point rushing conversion, Tucker Hoskinds finished with one two-point conversion reception, and Maddux Lawrence finished with one two point rushing conversion. Melbourne junior Bearkatz defeated the junior Cougars 24-6 in two quarters. Next, it was time for varsity players to step up and give the area a glimpse of the potential for regular-season excellence.
A few nerves were evident in the first plays of the game, with a dropped pass and one overthrown pass, but big plays helped the Bearkatz first unit to a 7-0 lead over the ICC squad on the first drive. After a few miscues, the big play came when Quarterback Wyatt Buchanan flushed right out of the pocket, squared his shoulders and delivered a dart to Hunter Moats flashing across the field to extend the drive. With momentum, Senior Carson Davis found a seam and barged his way into the end zone.
Senior Fernando Ventura added the extra point for the 7-0 Katz lead with 6 1⁄2 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Melbourne’s defense found themselves busting ICC’s offensive line wide open for several tackles for losses in the backfield while Ventura’s leg pinned the Cougars deep for every drive while forcing ICC three and out on their first and second drives. On Melbourne’s next drive, Buchanan fired a strike to Ventura in the corner of the end zone.
After the extra point Melbourne had the 14-0 lead. Following another three and out for ICC, they intercepted a Buchanan’s pass, however, they could not capitalize on the turnover by fumbling the ball on a backwards pass, which Hunter Moats picked up and ran to the house for Melbourne’s third touchdown and the 21-0 lead. ICC turned the ball over on downs on their subsequent drive, and Forrest Gulliver picked up the rushing touchdown, the fourth of the contest for Melbourne and the 27-0 lead.
Ventura would add the extra point for the 28-0 lead. The varsity scrimmage ended after two quarters, with Melbourne defeating ICC 28-0. Quarterback Wyatt Buchanan threw one touchdown pass, completed several passes, and showed agility moving from the pocket and finding the open receiver to extend drives.
Senior Fernando Ventura helped Melbourne with the point-after kicks, field position with his touchback kicks, and he caught one pass for a touchdown. Senior Carson Medina stood out on offense and defense, scoring the first points of the night, while infiltrating the backfield on defense. Hunter Moats also stood out on offense and defense with the big play reception to extend the drive and the fumble recovery for the touchdown.
Peyton Siddons found the backfield several times as well for the Bearkatz defense, while the offensive line held strong and the defensive line allowed little momentum for the Cougars. The beauty in the roster for Melbourne includes talented players available and ready when called upon, providing the coaching staff with options, they include Wyatt Buchanan, Carson Medina, Fernando Ventura, Tanner Williams, Shawn Wortham, Cash Fowler, Cole Bookout, Garrett Buchanan, Hunter Moats, Malcolm Hammack, and Peyton Siddons. Brycen Young, Adam Cone, Cole Hennessey, John Ethan Miller, Lincoln Gillihan, Davis Love, and Cass Wright add additional strength to the lines for the Bearkatz.
Special teams and continued roster include Wyatt Smith, Ty Gillihan, Jordan Quillman, Aubry Teague, Forrest Gulliver, Ian Hammond, Josh Hammack, Chase Taylor, Memphis Lufkin, Colson McMichael, Landen Hilderbrand, Harley Edwards, Daniel Toth, and Zach Vest. Melbourne begins its regular season Thursday, Aug. 29, at 5:30 p.
m. at home against Hoxie for the Junior High and varsity will travel to Hoxie on Friday, Aug. 30, for the 7 p.
m. kickoff..
