Article by John Spargo
The Copper Basin Cougars traveled to Andrews High School Friday, October 25 to take on the Wildcats, in a game that at least for the first half, was played in a heavy downpour. The wet and muddy conditions definitely played a huge part in the game as the field was very sloppy.
Andrews received the opening kickoff and started their first drive at their own 40 yard line. The Wildcats ran the football in between the tackles six straight plays, and on the seventh play, popped a 31 yard touchdown run to jump out in front of the Cougars 6-0 with 9:26 left in the opening quarter. The two-point conversion try was no good.
The Cougars received the kickoff and started their initial drive at their own 20-yard line. Two passes from Bryson Grabowski to receiver Dawson Worthy moved the ball out to the 47-yard line, and then a pass to Chase Mickens moved the ball to the Wildcat 27-yard line. Chance Bailey had a ten yard gallop and Mickens added a five yard sprint and got the ball to the Andrews six yard line. However, an incomplete pass from the Cat 10-yard line on fourth down gave the ball back to the hosts with 4:08 left in the opening quarter.
The Wildcats moved the ball off of their goal line but Basin’s defense stiffened and forced a punt. Basin took over in Andrews territory at the 49 yard line, but turned the ball back over to Andrews on fourth down with 11:51 to go in the first half. As the rain continued to pour, the Wildcats moved the ball into Copper Basin territory, but were stopped on a fourth down try at the Cougar 43 yard line. A sack on first down put the Cougars behind the chains and they ended up having to punt from their own 45-yard line. The punt pinned the Wildcats at their own 14-yard line. After three plays, Andrews was forced to punt the ball back to Copper Basin and they set up shop at the Andrews 40 yard line, looking to tie the game up or take the lead. A penalty on first down moved the ball back to midfield, but Grabowski hit Mickens for a ten yard gain. Two more penalties forced the Cougars to punt.
Andrews moved the ball out to their 32-yard line, but fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Tyler Adams. The Cougars were in business with 0:51 to go before the half but an incomplete pass, followed by a sack, and then an interception ended the first half with the score 6-0 Andrews.
Andrews kicked off to start the second half and after a penalty, the Cougars started the drive at their own 10-yard line. Mickens darted around the end for six yards and Bailey added a three yard run to set up a third and short. Grabowski then slithered for six yards to get the ball out to the Cougar 25-yard line. Another penalty on first down put Basin behind the sticks again and after three straight incompletions, they were forced to punt the ball to Andrews.
A huge sack on the Wildcats fourth down try gave the ball back to Copper Basin at their own 47-yard line. After Bailey gained three yards on first down, two incompletions stalled the drive. The Andrews defense made a huge play, blocking the punt and taking over at Basin’s 42 yard line with 7:58 left in the third quarter. The Wildcats went on a nine play drive that ended with a three yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 12-0. This time, the two-point try was successful and with 3:46 left in the third quarter, the Cats were up 14-0.
After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, the Cougars began the drive at their 20 yard line. A 28-yard run by Bailey, followed by a beautiful screen pass for 17 more yards, moved Basin to the Andrews 35-yard line. Four plays later, an apparent Bailey touchdown run from 11 yards out, was wiped out because of offsetting penalties. A Wildcat sack jarred the ball loose, but was recovered by Copper Basin, keeping the drive alive from the Andrews 23 yard line. However, another fumble was recovered to stop the Cougar threat. Andrews took over with 11:46 left in the ballgame and after a first down and face mask call, the ball was moved out to the Andrews 38-yard line. On the next play, the Wildcats ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run down the middle of the field to increase their lead to 20-0. The two point conversion try was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 20-0, with 9:35 left in the football game.
After a 23-yard kickoff return by Mickens, the Cougars put together a ten play drive that ended with a two yard touchdown run by Mickens, cutting the lead to 20-6 with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter. The two-point try was no good.
Andrews received the kickoff and started their drive at their own 36. The Wildcats ran off 11 plays and ate up most of the clock, finally turning the ball back over to the Cougars at the Basin four yard line with less than a minute to go.
The Cougars couldn’t move the ball and the game ended with Andrews winning a sloppy, wet, nasty football game by the score of 20-6.
Grabowski finished the night 15-30 for 133 yards. Bailey had seven catches for 56 yards and also had 47 yards on nine carries. Mickens, has three catches for 12 yards while adding 17 rushing yards on five attempts. Worthy ended the night with three receptions for 32 yards, while Timothy Jabaley grabbed a catch for 15 yards. A.J. Miles also added a catch for 20 yards.
On defense, Mickens led the way with seven solo tackles and ten assists. Joseph Johnson had eleven total stops and Cody Montgomery had four solo tackles to go with five assists. Tyler Adams had nine total stops and Joe Biggs finished with eight. Sebastian Baliles also chipped in with seven total tackles.
Head Coach Chad Grabowski was proud of his kids, but now the focus shifts to the South Pittsburg Pirates, as they come to Copperhill for a huge football game for the District 3-A championship. The winner will be the District Champions and the loser will be the runner-up and still host a playoff game in the first round on November 8.
Grabowski said, “Our boys played hard in tough conditions last night. We are going to watch film and correct any mistakes that we may see and then move on to South Pitt for the Region Championship. Just a reminder for the playoff game on November 8, at home there are no passes, the season passes does not work for postseason.
“I would also like to recognize Bryson Grabowski for breaking the school for passing yards record last night and Chase Mickens for reaching the 1000 yard receiving mark for the year, which is a school record as well! We need everyone to come to the game on Friday Night dressed in Red for a Code Red night! Also someone will get a chance to Win the Truck this week at the game!”
It will also be Senior Night, with the senior night festivities starting at 7 p.m. and the kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Copper Basin High School.