The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity football team dropped a heartbreaker to the Brownfield Cubs on Friday, 28-14, at Wildcat Stadium for their first loss of the season.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 4-1 overall heading into their bye week.
The Wildcats finished with 213 yards of total offense; including 151 rushing yards and 62 passing yards.
Each teams first offensive possession stalled out in the opening quarter, but when the Cubs got the ball back at their own 35-yard line, they were able to drive into Littlefield territory, but their drive was derailed, when quarterback, JJ Martinez, was picked off on the Brownfield sideline by Omar Martinez, giving the Wildcats the ball at their own 31-yard line with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats, though, were unable to capitalize, as they went three-and-out, however the punt from senior, Javen Jimenez, pinned the Cubs inside their own fiveyard line to start their next drive, with just over seven minutes left to play in the quarter.
The Cubs were able to get out of the shadow of their own goal post, but just three plays into the drive, Josh Gonzales put the ball on the ground and it was recovered by sophomore safety, Major McNeese for a turnover with 6:30 remaining in the quarter. Littlefield took over at the Brownfield 17yard line and the Wildcats needed just three plays to get to the end zone, as sophomore quarterback, Chip Green, capped off the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run. The PAT by Angel Salazar was good, putting the Wildcats in front, 7-0.
The Cubs found answer late in the second quarter, as they capped off a 55- yard drive, when JJ Martinez found Kaydyn Moore on a slant over the middle for a 31yard touchdown. The PAT was good, as Brownfield tied the game, 7-7, with 3:44 remaining in the first half.
The Wildcats’ offense took over at their own 16-yard line after the kick-off, but on first down, senior tailback, Mason Jones, took a hand-off around the right side, following his blockers before breaking free for an 84-yard touchdown run for the quick answer with 3:22 remaining in the half. Salazar nailed the PAT to put the Wildcats back in front, 14-7.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Cubs opened the final quarter of play by going for it on fourth down. JJ Martinez threw a lateral pass to the left side to Adriano Mireles, who then heaved it into the end zone for Moore for the 16yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good, tying the game, 14-14, with 11:47 remaining in the game.
With 3:11 remaining in the game, JJ Martinez launched a pass that connected with Moore for a 22yard touchdown to put the Cubs up, 21-14, after the PAT. Green was sacked on fourth down on the Wildcats’ next possession for a turnover on downs with 2:08 remaining, and the Cubs would answer with an 18-yard touchdown pass from JJ Martinez to Moore. The PAT was good, as Brownfield took down the Wildcats, 28-14.
Green finished six-of-21 passing for 62 yards and five interceptions.
Mason Jones led the rushing attack with 19 carries for 132 yards and one touchdown, while Jimenez tallied one carry for 21 yards.
Martinez led the receiving game with one catch for 37 yards, while Jimenez tallied four catches for 21 yards and Mason Jones added one catch for four yards.
Defensively, the Wildcats posted three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
The Wildcats are open this week, but will be on the road next Friday, Oct. 7th to open district play against Coahoma.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.