The Paden City High School Wildcats opened up the 2010 High School football season at home against the Van Bulldogs on Friday night at Berger Field. Above: head coach Brent Croasmun talks over strategy with his team during a time out in the third quarter. (Photos by J. Light)

High School football was all the rage in Paden City on Friday night as the 2010 season opened with a large home town crowd in attendance for the class A battle. The Van Bulldogs were in town and before the night was over, the Bulldogs handed the Wildcats their first loss, 34-6.

“It just was not pretty at all,” said Paden City head coach, Brent Croasmun.

The Green and White waited until there was only 19 seconds to go in the game before putting six points on the scoreboard to keep from being shut out as junior Taylor Still ran in eleven yards in for six.

Van acquired 12 first downs in the game to Paden City’s 11. The ‘Dogs rushed 29 times for 348 yards and passed for 50 yards for a total of 398 yards in the game.

Paden City rushed 44 times for 116 yards and had no passing yards.

The ‘Cats fumbled twice but recovered both, and were penalized four times for 20 yards. Van lost one of two fumbles and were penalized 14 times for 105 yards.

Offensively, Still was the go-to guy for the Green, carrying the ball 31 times to collect 103 yards. Geoffrey Bidwell rushed 12 times for nine yards; and James Baker had one carry for four yards.

Defensively, Jared Stewart had nine tackles, batted one pass away, and caused one fumble; Peyton Hinkley was credited with nine tackles, one quarterback sack, and one tackle for a loss; Still, eight tackles; Kyle Staton, eight tackles; and Jamie Billiter, one fumble recovery.

Still punted three times for the ‘Cats, averaging about 32 yards a punt. Kyle McFadden, punted three times, averaging 33 yards a punt.

“We’ll be changing a few things, making some adjustments and getting right back out on the field again next week,.” Croasmun said. “And next week, we really have a challenge before us.”

On Friday the Wildcats will certainly have their work cut out for them as they host West Virginia Class A 2009 High School Football State Champions, Weirton Madonna Blue Don’s, at Berger Field. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.