BOGUE CHITTO — Brandon Wells, BogueChitto’s versatile junior quarterback, stepped up in a big wayFriday night. Wells ran for three touchdowns and passed for anotheras the Bobcats beat Loyd Star’s Hornets 41-34 in the annual PossumBowl.

    Wells accounted for 170 rushing yards on 25 carries and scoredthree touchdowns. He also threw a 15-yard TD pass and collected 10yards on a kickoff return.

    Bogue Chitto coach Gareth Sartin recognizes the many footballtalents Wells possesses. “Brandon is extremely fast and he’s alsovery fearless when he’s running. He’s not very big but he willlower his head and put it in there.”

    Wells has the ability to make quick cuts, reverse his field andconfuse opposing defenders. His quarterback responsibilities wereraised against Loyd Star because starting QB Brock Roberts wasunavailable. Roberts was playing in a World Series baseballtournament in New York, along with two more BC baseballplayers.

    Sartin said, “Brandon puts a lot of pressure on defenses. We try toget him in one-on-one situations. He’s a big threat in the openfield. We want to move him around a lot as a receiver and a runningback.”

    “He played a lot at receiver last year,” Sartin noted. “We startedusing him in our Wildcat (formation) set near the end of theseason. We will mix it up with him and Brock. That causes moreproblems for the defense.”

    Wells threw a 15-yard TD pass to  Germie Martin. He also tossed a pairof 2-point conversion passes to Martin.

    Gareth is enjoying the benefits of a 2-quarterback system. “We feelconfident with either player in there. They both bring somethingdifferent. Brandon did a good job throwing the ball. His passeswere on the money.”

    Wells, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior, wears jersey No. 2 in BC’s newVegas gold color scheme. The Bobcats are wearing new white helmetswith a Bobcat decal on each side.

    Asked about his season-opening performance, Wells complimented histeammates. “My offensive line did a really good job blocking forme. I couldn’t do it without them and my other teammates.”

    Working is BC’s offensive line are Marcus Moak at center, CurtisManess, left tackle; Kevin Brothern, left guard; JermaineBlackwell, right guard; Jeremy Blackwell, right tackle; and tightend Dennis Rogers.

    He said he enjoys playing quarterback, despite the additionalresponsibilities. “It’s a real important position. You have tolearn a lot of plays and do it right. You have to be a good leader,too.”

    He is the son of Alice Richardson and Fred Wells. He has two olderbrothers, Rico and Cory Wells, a younger brother, Malik Richardson;and a sister, Ashley Guy.

    “I like playing for Coach Sartin,” said Wells. “I think he’s thebest coach I can possibly get.”

    Bogue Chitto graduated most of its offensive line but thereplacements are improving. Wells said, “We have a good shot atmaking the playoffs. If we stick together, we can make theplayoffs.”

    The game against Loyd Star was an emotion-packed sweat-soakedexperience for fans and players, staged in sweltering heat andhumidity on Troy Smith Field. Several players, including Wells,were hampered by muscle cramps and forced to leave the game for afew minutes.

    “The cramps made me feel bad because I was in a big game,” saidWells. “I need to eat a lot of bananas,” to replace potassium.

    To his credit, Wells returned and directed Bogue Chitto to thewinning touchdown. His 15-yard option TD run around right end camewith 54 seconds left in the game. He also completed a clutch,2-point conversion pass to Germie Martin for the final margin ofvictory.