Wildcats (3-2 vs Vipers (1-4) @ Dignity Health Sports Park
OVER:40.5
Things got off to a rocky start when Wildcats QB, Josh Johnson was picked off by Robert Priester. Fortunately, for the Wildcats the defense was able to make a big stop and force the Vipers to only a field goal. The Vipers then showed their aggressive play-calling by going for it on 4th down. The Vipers got the 1st down which was followed by a Jacques Patrick touchdown.
As soon as the Wildcats were driving and had some life, a high snap led to a fumble and a Vipers recovery. Taylor Cornelius then took it himself into the endzone to put the Vipers up 16-0 early in the 2nd quarter. The Wildcats were then able to answer back with a huge 53-yard catch by Jordan Smallwood. DeJuan Harris was then able to plunge into the end zone for the touchdown.
After a fumble on the punt return by Tre McBride the Cornelius connected with Jalen Tolliver for a touchdown. Josh Johnson and the Wildcats were able to answer back with De’Quan Hampton making an amazing catch for a touchdown to cut the Vipers lead to 10. After a good drive by the Wildcats defense, the Wildcats got the ball back with roughly 1:30 left in the half. Just 2 plays later Brandon Barnes was in the endzone and the Vipers lead was cut to just 4. After the half, the Wildcats were able to create a nice drive topped off by a Tre McBride touchdown.
Reggie Howard then picked off Taylor Cornelius to put the Wildcats back in the red zone. The Wildcats were able to capitalize with a Saeed Blacknall touchdown which gave the Wildcats a 33-24 lead. A Tampa Bay field goal was able to cut the lead to 6. The Wildcat defense came up clutch as Cedric Reed stripped Taylor Cornelius and Boogie Roberts recovered it for a touchdown. The Vipers were able to quickly get a score to make the game 41-34, Wildcats lead with roughly 3 minutes left. As the Vipers started to drive overtime was in sight Tyler Cornelius was picked off by Jack Tocho to seal the Wildcats win.
Wildcats Review
The Wildcats got off to a rocky start as a result of Josh Johnson and the offense getting sloppy at the beginning. As soon as Johnson got going the entire game changed. The defense played great against a great run team in Tampa Bay. The defense only allowed 146 rushing yards and came away with multiple turnovers.
288 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT (Josh Johnson-QB)
78 yards, TD (Saeed Blacknall-WR)
6 tackles, 1 FR, TD (Boggie Roberts-LE)
Vipers Review
The Vipers chocked on this game. The Vipers were up 18 points with just 6 minutes until half time. The Wildcats were able to get back into the game, scoring 27 unanswered points. The Vipers were unable to run the ball like they usually do, in part to Jacques Patrick getting injured.
9 catches, 90 yards, TD (Reece Horn-WR)
7 tackles, 1 pass deflected (Marcelis Branch- FS)
95 yards, TD (Jalen Tolliver-WR)
Fantasy Review
If you picked the over in this game, you absolutely made the right choice. So much so that the over was already covered by halftime. Josh Johnson was a monster throwing for 288 yards for 4 TDs. The Wildcat RB’s were not great for fantasy tonight as Martez Carter got just 15 yards on the group while DuJuan Harris got 7 and a TD. Taylor Cornelius had a good fantasy night throwing for 300 yards and 2 TDs.
