2A Team of the Week: Itasca Wampus Cats
On paper, most people didn’t give Itasca a chance against Italy. The Gladiators were 7-1 and had their sites set on a district title. Itasca, meanwhile, was 3-5 and 1-3 in district.
Itasca struck first, but 21 unanswered points by Italy in the third quarter had the game looking like it was about to spiral out of control.
However, the Gladiators were about to learn Wampus Cats don’t back down from a fight.
“Our coaches kept the team’s spirits high, emphasizing that quitting wasn’t an option,” Itasca head coach Ricky Torres said. “We reminded the players it was only a two-score game and that just a few plays could turn momentum our way and things around. We encouraged them to stay focused, avoid mistakes, and take it one play and one drive at a time.”
The Wampus Cats took that message to heart. After Maddox Abrego returned an Italy fumble 67 yards, Itasca cut the lead to seven on a 13-yard rushing touchdown from Christian Enriquez.
That gap would stay the same until the final minute of the game.
Wampus Cat quarterback Buddy Jackson would score his final rushing touchdown of the night to cut the deficit to one before Brayden Mears rushed in the ensuing two-point conversion on a perfectly executed reverse to secure a wild 22-21 upset win for Itasca.
Jackson had a big night with 93 yards rushing as well as another 103 yards passing. Heath Mays was another big contributor in the rushing attack with 75 yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, Robert Ford was a frequent visitor to the Italy backfield with seven tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss.
The Wampus Cats may not be done making headlines either. After the heroics of last Friday, Itasca will have yet another chance to pull an upset this Friday when they host Axtell.
Previous 2A Teams of the Week
Week One: Stamford
Week Two: Panhandle
Week Three: Shelbyville
Week Four: Post
Week Five: Sunray
Week Six: Italy
Week Seven: Somerville
Week Eight: La Villa
Week Nine: Timpson
