With the non-conference schedule that Louisville set this season, a gauntlet of teams was only going to make the Wildcats better.
The goal was obviously to win all of those games, but coach Tyrone Shorter was more worried about having his team prepared for Class 4A, Region 3 play and the playoffs. As it turned out, LHS decided to just win them all anyway.
The last of the challenging non-conference slate was at R.E. Hinze Field against a Mendenhall team that took the Wildcats to the brink in the state title game a year ago. LHS weathered an early push from the Tigers and would ultimately win another blowout in a 41-16 victory.
“I thought we handled it well. We played a very good football team and I felt like we needed a game like that in the middle of Region play,” Shorter said. “I liked the way that our team came out and responded because we’ll probably meet up with another team down the road as athletic as those guys were. Offensively, defensively and special teams, we matched up well against a really good team.”
It was another game in which the Wildcats were solid in every phase of the game. The offense found a way despite turnovers and Mendenhall neutralizing the rushing attack. LHS had another big game defensively as well with an incredible 9.0 sacks.
Special teams is becoming a real deciding factor for this year’s team as well. The Wildcats had another kick return for a touchdown and kicker Ceidrick Hunt is cementing himself as a major weapon as he hit both of his field goal attempts and all five extra points.
“This is the first time in my career we’ve had a kicker that I feel confident beyond 35 yards,” Shorter said. “That is such a weapon when you’re playing big games because not everyone has a guy like that.”
Special teams set the tone in the game on Friday night as Xzarion Haynes took the opening kick 88 yards back to the end zone for a score to get things rolling. The Wildcats had a lapse the rest of the quarter as the defense had critical penalties that led to a Mendenhall touchdown and then a field goal gave the visitors a brief lead at 10-7 going to the second quarter.
From there, it was all Wildcats.
LHS outscored the Tigers 34-6 over the next three quarters and the tone was set with special teams again. Hunt nailed a field goal after a drive stalled inside the redzone to tie things up and then the Wildcats got the lead for good late in the half with a 5-yard touchdown run from Kendon Sanders for a 17-10 advantage.
Sanders picked up where he left off in the third quarter as he forced a fumble on defense that was picked up and returned for a score by Corxavier Coleman. A third-straight turnover on an interception set up Xavier Hunt’s touchdown pass to Ayden Coleman from 13 yards away to make it 31-10 and the rout was on.
In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats extended that lead with another field goal from Ceidrick Hunt. The Tigers got a late touchdown but it was too late.
In the win, the Wildcats had 250 yards of total offense with three interceptions but fought through those mistakes. Xavier Hunt finished 14-of-23 for 178 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for a solid night leading the offense. The Wildcats had just 2.8 yards per rush on the ground with 26 carries for 72 yards. Sanders scored the only rushing touchdown.
Kamron Triplett led the team with four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown while Xzarion Haynes had three catches for 44 yards. Jykevious Goss finished with two receptions for 27 yards and a score.
On defense, TayQuon Mckinney continued his great season with 16 tackles to lead the way. He had 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks along with a forced fumble and recovered fumble. Sanders had 10 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 SK and a forced fumble, Kenneth Hill finished with 10 tackles and 1.0 TFL, Travon McDonald had nine tackles, 2.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks and Khalin Macon had an interception.
“I just like where our team is right now. We’ve got to stay humble and continue to play together,” Shorter said. “I keep thanking God that we’re finally back healthy and we have one game left in the regular season on Thursday night. Ever since we got into Region play, all three phases of the ball game has been really good. I’m pleased with what we’re doing on offense, defense and special teams.”
A Region 3 championship and the NO. 1 seed for the playoffs is already wrapped up for the Wildcats but there is still a whole lot to play for on Friday night. LHS (9-0, 3-0 Region 3) has a chance to do something that not many schools have been able to do over the course of the team’s great history and that’s go undefeated in the regular season.
The Wildcats can get their first undefeated regular season since 2013 with a win over Greenwood on Friday for Senior Night at home. The program has won 20-straight ball games and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Greenwood comes to town with a 1-8 record on the season but has been a great foe for the Wildcats over the years and Shorter cautions that they will be looking to end things on a high note against their rival.
“Greenwood is a young team. Watching them on film, they’re very talented but they’re missing something,” Shorter said. “They’re not really playing for the playoffs, but I’m quite sure they want to come in and beat us to look forward to next year. We’re going to approach this game like we approach any other game. I want us to end the regular season on a strong note.”
