BEEBE — A heads-up play by the Watson Chapel punter was a rare treat on what was otherwise a tricky Halloween night Friday for the Wildcats.
Beebe defeated Watson Chapel 45-22 at A.S. “Bro” Erwin Stadium.
Late in the first quarter, Watson Chapel (0-9, 0-6 in 5A-Central) was set to punt from its own 35-yard line while trailing 21-0.
Wildcat senior Nicholas Baker reached up to grab a high snap before it could go over his head but quickly found himself facing the Beebe defense’s rush. Rather than try a punt that would almost certainly be blocked, Baker tucked the ball and took off.
After evading the first Beebe (6-3, 4-2) players to reach him in the back field, Baker got good blocks from his teammates and got free behind the defense.
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The Badgers nearly chased him down from behind, but he fought off the tackle long enough to reach the end zone for what would be the Wildcats’ only touchdown of the first half.
Watson Chapel coach Steven Heard said he loved the poise Baker showed on the play.
“He seen that everybody was bailing, so one side of the field was wide open, and he took off,” Heard said. “That’s what he’s supposed to do. That’s what we practice on. If the other team is not staying in their lanes or they doing something undisciplined, then we just take advantage of it.”
Beyond that play, it was a long first half for the Wildcats.
The defense forced a quick punt to start the game, but the Badgers proceeded to score touchdowns on each of their next five drives.
After the first score, a 16-yard run by quarterback Ty McCormick, the Badgers recovered an onside kick to set up their second touchdown drive.
After the touchdown streak ended with Beebe’s second punt of the game in the second quarter, the Badgers added another touchdown before senior kicker Andy Rodriguez made a 30-yard field goal as the first half ended, making it 45-6 at the break.
The second half was played with a running clock.
Watson Chapel quarterback Malachi Rayford connected with Kameron Kennedy for a 57-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He later threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to a player not listed on the most recent roster.
Heard said he loved seeing his players fight to the end.
“The scary thing about it is, everybody who scored in the second half were ninth graders,” Heard said.
“Everybody who touched the ball in the second half were my ninth graders. The future’s bright in Watson Chapel. We have a lot of talent.”
Rayford completed 7 of 18 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for 41 yards.
As a team, Watson Chapel rushed for 120 yards.
McCormick threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more for Beebe.
He completed 8 of 14 passes for 183 yards. Senior running back Curtis Goodrich rushed 20 times for 162 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Kameron Johnson caught four passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
None of them played in the second half.