August 30. The most anticipated day for Westminster football players since they ended the season in Hannibal last November. This day was marked to be the beginning of this year’s football journey. A Friday night game to kick off the year against a fellow Christian school, the players were imagining Dragons. But unfortunately, this was not in the plans for the evening. After hours of rain, lightning, and thunder, the game would be pushed back to the next morning.

The game’s first play took place just a few minutes past ten oclock in the morning, and the effect would be seen on the players. Neither team appeared to be in sync offensively for much of the first half. The lone score came from the bad guys in the first quarter on a 67-yard run from star player, Kevin Coleman. The Dragons went for two points afterward and were denied. The score was 6-0.

The Wildcats drove all the way down the field in the remaining minutes of the first half before fumbling within ten yards of the endzone with 40 seconds left on the clock. Turnovers plagued the Wildcats all day and hindered the offense from getting in a groove.

The Wildcats were a little low on morale headed into the locker room, but there was still optimism in being potentially one drive away from taking the lead. The Wildcats would do whatever it takes to get the win.
The first offensive possession in the second half did not go well, only lasting three plays before a booming punt from QB/P Lane Davis. The Dragons ensuing drive was one that reached the red zone before Senior defensive lineman Aiden Davitt recovered a fumble and gave the ball back to the Westminster offense.

On the ensuing possession, Davis was intercepted after Ben Hicks batted a ball into the air in an attempt to keep the ball alive. However, Ben Straub would intercept St. Marys quarterback Cam McCoy not long after.
The Wildcat offense marched down the field with good runs from Sophomore LJ Minner and Senior Arthur Jordan. The final play of the drive was a beautifully thrown ball by Davis to Straub for an eleven-yard touchdown. Senior Pierce Dunne placed the ball in between the uprights for his first career point, giving the Wildcats a 7-6 lead.

From here on out, it was mainly downhill for the Town and Country titans. Kevin Coleman entered the end zone again, this time off of a 63-yard pass. The Dragons could not convert for two points yet again and the score stood at 12-7.

Following another receiving touchdown for Kevin Coleman, the Cats on turf saw themselves down 19-7 and needing something big to happen.

The Wildcat defense forced the Dragons to a fourth down around midfield, and the snap to the punter was a very poor one. But he quickly picked the ball up and ran to the open space, picking up a first down and more. Coleman would score again.

After another three-and-out, Davis lined up to punt. The ball landed five yards in front of the returner, made contact with the ball while it went over his head. Senior Jake Broyles saw this and quickly pounced on the ball.
The Wildcats were handed a gift of a fresh set of downs and around thirty yards to work with. Another turnover gave the ball right back to the Dragons.

The Dragons capitalized with a touchdown on the following drive, increasing the lead to 26-7. With five minutes remaining, the wind was taken out the Wildcats sails. Later on, with just over a minute left, Lane Davis connected with Senior Ben Parres, playing in his first-ever football game, for a touchdown. A conversion on the two-point attempt brought the score to 26-15 and this would be the final score.

A few things to take away from the game: turnovers cost the Wildcats, and so did lack of depth. LJ Minner played most of the fourth quarter with cramps after going both ways the entire game.

It was a tough start to the season, but there are bright spots on the day. The aforementioned Parres played a great game on both sides of the ball, bringing new energy and athleticism to the team. The primary backfield tandem of Jordan and Minner got increasingly more productive throughout the game. A healthy Lane Davis alone is a positive, and with some gorgeous spirals today, he can lead the offense and become a force the rest of this season.

The Wildcats look to get to a .500 winning percentage, hopefully, next Friday night against Liberty High School.