Wildcats take semifinal victory in OT

Many life lessons, principles and values can be learned on the playing field. One of the most basic and common fundamentals ingrained in athletes is to never give up. Last Saturday's performance proved that the Fleming Wildcats understood the assignment.

It was a contest that should have been the second outing between the second ranked Wildcats and the third ranked Granada Bobcats. But due to a regular season forfeit by Granada, fans weren't given a preview of what was to come in Saturday's 6-man semifinal contest.

The hosting Wildcats got off to a rocky start and allowed the Bobcats their first points with just seconds off the first quarter clock. A blocked points after attempt by Travis Johnson would hold the Bobcats to six and amp up the Wildcat sideline.

It was a battle of the defenses for the duration of the first quarter. Granada would strike again early in the second quarter; this time the extra points sailed through and the Bobcats went up 14-0.

Fleming's offense found the end zone with just over four minutes left in the half and Blake Feather's extra points brought Fleming within six points, 14-8.

Granada's offense answered back quickly capitalizing on a long pass to go up 22-8.

Fleming's next possession would chew a couple minutes off the clock, but eventually find them in the end zone. Fleming came back within six points with the half nearing a close, 22-16.

The Bobcats would tack on two more touchdowns before the close of the half. They first scored on the kick off to go up 30-16.

Granada's defense held Fleming out of the end zone and regained possession in the final seconds of the half. With just enough time for one final snap the Bobcats took a chance on a hail mary that found their intended receiver surrounded by Fleming defenders. The ball was tipped up and fell into the hands of an unintended Bobcat receiver who would run one in for the TD. That six plus two off the points after left the Wildcats down by 22 at the half.

The two teams returned from intermission and traded scores to start off the third quarter. Fleming scored two plays into their opening campaign and Granada returned the favor, but that would be the only touchdown the home team would allow in the third.

Senior Nolan Japp would take the first call after the kickoff. He ran 65 yards for Fleming's second set of six in third. Blake Feather's points after added another two and bring the score to 46-32.

Fleming closed in on another six points of that gap before the end of the third quarter. With six seconds left on the clock, the Wildcats struck again to come within eight points of the Bobcats.

Granada's offense pulled ahead once again with a couple minutes off the fourth quarter clock, but Fleming matched them less than a minute later, 54-44.

The Bobcat offense upped the score by another six to go up by 16 with just under five minutes left to play, 60-44.

Fleming's drive that followed would take about a minute off the clock before they added another six plus two to bring them back within eight, 60-52.

With 2:18 left on the clock and Granada in Wildcat territory, senior Braylen Feather grabbed his 10th interception of the season and returned it eight yards.

A few unsuccessful plays later, Fleming would capitalize on a fourth down call to tie the game at 60-all with 1:16 left on the clock.

Fleming's defense held the Bobcats back forcing a fourth and five-yard situation with just :02 left on the clock. Granada called a pass play that found Japp for an interception. He'd take that back 32 yards as time ran out.

Fleming took the opening possession of overtime and took their first lead of the game with a touchdown and extras, 68-60.

With the game on the line and a shot at the Championship title, Fleming's defense stepped up. On all four attempts, the Wildcats shut down Granada's offense and finished with the victory, 68-60.

Japp led the Wildcats in yardage with a total of 300 for the day. He rushed for the team-high 158 yards on 14 carries for three touchdowns; made a top contribution in receiving yards with 83; returned an interception for 32 yards; and tacked on 27 yards on a single kickoff return.

Blake Feather followed with 181 yards on the day. He earned his off 54 rushing yards and 127 receiving yards. He caught two touchdown passes and added another 14 on points-after kicks.

Senior Harry Harms also surpassed 100 yards in the contest. Harms caught three passes for 119 yards.

Quarterback Braylen Feather threw for 429 yards on Saturday with a long of 66. He completed 14 of 28 passes for five touchdowns.

Senior Kolten Houser led Fleming's defense with 18 tackles. He brought down eight solo and 10 assisted. He also added two touchdowns for the Wildcat offense.

Japp followed Houser's defensive efforts with 10 tackles. He earned six and four, respectively.

The Wildcats are scheduled to face off with top ranked Stratton in the 6-man State Championship this Friday, Nov. 25 at CSU-Pueblo's ThunderBowl. Stratton is undefeated on the season and advanced to the Championship with a win over Otis last week. Kickoff on Friday is set for 1 p.m.