BOGUE CHITTO – The Bogue Chitto Bobcats were able to defeat the Crusaders of Sacred Heart 38-16 Friday night in Region 4-1A football action at Troy Smith Field.

Bogue Chitto head coach Gareth Sartin said, “I thought we played a good game despite the weather. We were able to score 21 points early to control the game. We have Dexter next week for a big region game.”

In the first quarter the Bobcats (5-0, 4-0) defense came up with the football after Sacred Heart fumbled and Brock Roberts recovered the ball. At the 9:22 mark the Bobcats offense put the ball in the end zone with a 4-yard run by Damein Terrell. Cameron Price finished with a perfect five-of-five on extra point attempts.

On the next possession, the Crusaders got the ball and were not able to score. Bogue Chitto scored again at the 5:47 mark when Roberts took the ball up the middle on a 1-yard run to give the Bobcats a 14-0 lead.

With the rain coming down, Roberts muffed a punt and the Crusaders of Sacred Heart recovered the ball. Bogue Chitto defense stood strong with the short field position for the Crusaders. At the 0:30 mark, the Crusaders put the ball on the ground and fumble it. Terrell scooped the fumble for the Bobcats and scored on a 62-yard run.

In the second quarter, the Bobcats scored again when Price nailed a 21-yard field goal at the 6:04 mark.

With 4:44 remaining the rain became a major factor in ballgame as a big thunderstorm moved over Troy Smith Field and made a rumble and lightning bolts. All fans in attendance moved into the gym and the players moved into the field house for safety. The game was delayed for at least thirty minutes due to lightning.

The game finally resumed play after the delay and Jermaine Blackwell sprinted in a 42-yard touchdown run at the 2:42 mark.

In the third quarter, the Crusaders finally put some points on the board with a 19-yard run by Sam Schmidt at the 2:23 mark. Jared Bethea’s kick was good. The game was going fast because they were trying to get it in because of the thunderstorm that was coming.

In the fourth quarter, The Bobcats scored again when Roberts connected with Dennis Rogers on a 49-yard pass with 9:38 remaining.

Sacred Heart answered with a 57-yard run by Sam Schmidt at the 4:42 mark. Jared Bethea’s kick was good. With 1:31 left, the center for the Bobcats snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head causing Bogue Chitto to give a safety to the Crusaders.

Offensively, Jermaine Blackwell paced the Bobcats with 83 yards rushing on 5 carries and a touchdown. Roberts rushed 7 times for 46 yards and a touchdown. Deion Williams had 43 yards on 6 carries. Dakota McGary provided 27 yards on 2 carries. Dennis Rogers was the top receiver with four catches for 103 yards. Roberts completed 3 out of 8 attempts for 54 yards. Terrell completed 1 pass for 49 yards and rushed for 10 yards.

Defensively, Kayin Perkins led the Bobcats with 7 tackles and a fumble recovery. Seth Hodges contributed with 6 tackles. Devaris Bullock, Marcus Moak, Brandon Blackwell, Brandon McKenzie had 5 tackles each. Damein Terrell had a fumble recovery for a 62-yard touchdown. Brock Roberts and Matthew Black also recovered a fumble.

The Bobcats will host the Bulldogs of Dexter next Friday night. The Crusaders return home to entertain the Stringer Red Devils Friday. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m.