FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Shelby County Wildcats made the trek to Center Point in their first Class 5A, Region 7 game of the season Sept. 2, falling to the Eagles 46-14.

All that started well didn’t end well for the Wildcats on the dry Center Point field.

On the opening drive, the visiting Wildcats executed a 15-play, seven-minute drive to near perfection. No loss of yardage plays, no noteworthy objections by the Eagles’ defense.

The drive started from their own 13-yard line and ended with Evan McNeal hitting the end zone on a speed sweep around right end from the Center Point 10-yard line.

The Wildcats (0-2 overall, 0-1 in Class 5A, Region 7) held a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point.

After a Center Point punt, the Wildcats had the momentum starting from their own 40-yard line.  A promising nine-play drive was halted on a failed fourth-down conversion attempt.

The Eagles had an offensive artillery with the shotgun formation being the weapon of choice.  It was either pitch and catch to the tune of 270 yards through the air or 198 yards on the ground for the night.

Beginning with their third possession, the Eagles owned a 15-6 lead midway through the second quarter on 15-yard and 42-yard touchdown strikes.  The nine-point led stood at halftime.

Quickly out of the gate in the third quarter, the athletic Center Point quarterback hit stride for a 42-yard touchdown scamper to expand the lead to 21-6.

Center Point added two more scores on a 7-yard toss and an 8-yard run to take a 36-6 lead with just under three minutes left in the third quarter.

The lone Shelby County highlight of the half was Montarious McGregor exciting the crowd and fellow teammates by reeling off a 67-yard run to the Eagles’ 1-yard line.  Staying with the man that got them there, McGregor crossed the strip one play later.

After a successful two-point conversion, the Wildcats trailed 36-14 with one quarter to play.

An additional 9-yard scoring toss and field goal for the Eagles padded the Center Point lead.

The Wildcats host rival Chelsea for their first home game of the season Sept. 9.