Guy returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and scored on runs of 19 and 44 yards in the third. He also had touchdowns on a 75-yard kickoff return and a 47-yard reception nullified by penalties.
The game was a contrast in styles, pitting Itasca’s devastating ground game against the Hornets’ aerial attack. The Wampus Cats churned out 312 yards rushing and 16 first downs; Holland countered with 152 yards passing but only seven first downs.
Itasca’s swarming defense was just as dominating as its offense, limiting the Hornets to 28 yards rushing and forcing five turnovers while registering a touchdown and a safety.
The Wampus Cats scored first on a 4-yard run by quarterback Mikey Marshall midway through the first quarter. The point-after kick was no good.
On their next possession, the Hornets moved into Itasca’s territory thanks to a 30-yard run by Ethan Stroud. But the drive was halted when Shakeal Mozon intercepted a Clayton Ash pass at the Itasca 10.
After Guy broke off runs of 72 and 15 yards, De’Veon Mayberry bulled into the end zone from 3 yards out. Marshall ran in the two–point conversion, making the score 14-0 with 4:49 left in the opening period.
On the first play of the second quarter, Marshall hooked up with wide receiver Jacob Boyd on a 16-yard fade route to make the score 20-0. The conversion attempt again failed.
Holland moved backward on its next possession, losing 15 yards in three plays, and was forced to punt. Guy fielded the kick at the Itasca 45, cut to the right, then wove his way along the sideline to the end zone. The PAT attempt again failed, leaving the Wampus Cats with a 26-0 advantage with 9:21 remaining in the half.
The Hornets lost yardage again on their next possession, moving from their 25 to their 11 before Sam Goodnight retreated into his end zone to punt. The high snap bounced off his outstretched hands, and he barely managed to fall on the loose ball before being buried by a pack of Wampus Cats.
Good things finally happened on Holland’s next possession. Facing third-and-15 from his 22, Ash dropped back and lofted the ball downfield toward Goodnight, who had gotten behind the secondary. Goodnight caught the ball in stride near midfield and outran three defenders to the end zone.
The PAT attempt failed, leaving the score 28-6 at halftime.
The Hornets fumbled away their first possession of the second half, with Zech O’Rarden recovering for Itasca at the Holland 25.
Guy scored two plays later, and Mayberry ran in the two-point conversion, making the score 36–6.
Holland fumbled again on its next possession, with Adam Handy recovering at the 47.
Three plays later, Guy broke free around right end for a 44-yard scoring jaunt. Mayberry again scored the conversion to make the score 44-6 with 8:37 left in the third quarter.
Itasca’s final score came with 4:02 remaining in the game when Mozon intercepted an Ash pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.
Holland will travel to Evant next Friday to play the Elks.
rray@temple-telegram.com
