FORREST CITY — Watson Chapel led only twice during Tuesday’s preseason scrimmage game played at Forrest City.
The Wildcats scored first to lead 7-0 in the first quarter and then scored last with 1:09 to play in the game to hand the Mustangs a 43-36 loss.
In between, Forrest City dominated offensively and kept Watson Chapel quarterback Kris McCullough bottled up.
Following Watson Chapel’s opening touchdown, the Mustangs led 8-7, 16-7, 16-15, 24-15 and 30-15 at the half.
The second half was a struggle for both teams.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
After a sloppy and scoreless third quarter, the Wildcats found the end zone with 9:48 to play in the fourth to cut Forrest City’s lead to 30-23. They had a touchdown called back and then turned the ball over on downs, only to recover a Forrest City fumble with 7:24 to play.
That led to a two-yard touchdown run and missed two-point conversion, keeping them down 30-29.
Forrest City looked like they had put the game away with 2:09 left, using a three-yard scoring run to take a 36-29 cushion.
Watson Chapel’s Devonte Battles answered by returning the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to get within 36-35, but the Wildcats failed to tack on the two-point conversion.
The Mustangs fumbled with 1:39 to play and Watson Chapel recovered. The Wildcats scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:09 to play and finally converted a two-point attempt.
Forrest City suffered a final turnover on a muffed snap from center with 16 seconds left.
Battles scored five of Watson Chapel’s touchdowns, including the kickoff return. Battles added three, two-point conversions as well.