Cats edge Carthage 27-26
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Photo courtesy Esther Fuller Photography KIRBYVILLE'S BRODERICK JACKSON breaks into the open field against Carthage. Jackson led the Wildcats with 169 yards against the Bulldogs.

It came down to the wire but Kirbyville came away with a thrilling 27-26 victory over Carthage Friday, Sept. 7 at Wildcat Stadium.

With 1:15 left in the game, Kirbyville quarterback Aaron Hazelwood connected with Randy Musgrave on a fiveyard scoring toss give the Wildcats the victory.

"It went down to the wire," said Kirbyville Head Football Coach Jack Alvarez. "We blew some opportunities here and there. I still don't think we are hitting on all cylinders right now."

Kirbyville jumped on the scoreboard first when Broderick Jackson scored from 70 yards out with 11:39 left in the first quarter. But Carthage came right back to score 14-first-quarter points to take a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Jackson helped the Wildcats pull even when he scored from 18 yards out with 9:41 left in the second quarter. With Dre Jackson's PAT, the game was knotted at 14-all.

Kirbyville took the lead a short time later when Hazelwood connected with Musgrave for a 54-yard scoring toss. The score, with 7:27 left in the second quarter, gave the Wildcats at 21-14 lead at the halftime break.

But Carthage came roaring right back in the third quarter. The Bulldogs came right back with 12 straight third-quarter points to assume a 26-21 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Jackson led the Wildcats' rushing attack with 169 yards on 14 carries while Pierce Rhodes rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries.

One down side to the victory came with the loss of starting tight end and defensive end Linwood Crawford, who suffered a broken leg and is lost for the season.

"That is a big blow to us but hopefully we will get some of our others guys back," Alvarez said.

Even with the team sitting at 2-0 on the season, Alvarez still sees room for improvement from his Wildcats.

The Wildcats are off this week as they try to get healthy for the upcoming District 21-3A season. Kirbyville will take on Liberty in a final non-district contest Sept. 21.

"I would rather be playing this week and be off before district but that is what we have," Alvarez said.