Players and coaches from Paden City’s 1979 state championship team return to Berger Field for Friday’s homecoming game.

It’s been a long time coming, but the Paden City Wildcats have finally started scoring points and it seem they like it as they hammered the visitors from Hancock, MD, on Friday with a good old fashion Wildcat whipping 70-22.

After a nice homecoming parade the Cats recognized and honored the 1979 state champion team coached by Steve Deem, and then showed off their own version of Wildcat football to secure their third victory of the season to delight the home crowd.

It didn’t take Paden City long to get started as they lit up the scoreboard with nine minutes to go in the first quarter when Senior leader quarterback Ethan Cross found Bryant McKay on a quick hit pass for 11 yards and a T.D. The two point conversion pass from Cross to McKay was on target Paden City went up to stay 8-0.

“Cross has really been playing great football and as he showed tonight he can do-it-all,”Said Coach Heasley.

“Tonight he just exploded and they had no answer.”

Cross who didn’t play football last season, has now gone over 1000 yards rushing for the season with two games still to play.

His passing is also on target as was evident tonight with his five T.D. Tosses.

With 5:01 left to play in the first the Wildcats struck again with Tony Thomas plowing up the middle for a six yard burst to score and make it 15-7 after Cross was good on his extra point kick.

Still in the first period Paden City added to the count with Cross again finding McKay, who made a nice catch to cover 16 yards for a score. Cross got his second point after kick to make it 22-14.

The second quarter was all Paden City as they racked up 26 points to Hancock’s eight to take a 48-22 halftime lead.

Following the haltime homecoming activities where Paden City senior Cora Anderson was crowned homecoming queen, the Wildcats went right back to work to show their dominance with a 22 point third quarter scoring barrage that gave them an unsurmountable 70-22 lead that held up to the end of the contest.

“We went into the fourth quarter with a running clock and we tried to get as many of our younger kids as much playing time as possible.

“Our kids played extremely good football on offense and defense, we have improved immensely since the beginning of the season and we’re looking to continue to get wins the rest of the way,” Coach heasley said.

Cross finished the game with five touchdown passes and two rushing scores, plus six extra point kicks and a two point conversion toss to account for 52 of the Wildcat points. He ended the contest with 21 carries for 222 yards and two T.D.’s while passing for 196 yards on 8-14 for five T.D.’s. McKay had a big night receiving with five catches for 79 yards and a three scores, plus a conversion catch. Thomas scored on runs of six yards and five yards as he carried 13 times for 79 yards.

Freshman Zane Yeater added a touchdown on a 60 yard pass and run play, while freshman Joel Moore got a pass for 43 yards and a score. Senior Kyler Wade grabbed a reception for 14 yards and a score. Parker Higgins had four carries for 21 yards and Jeff Billiter carried the ball once for two yards. The Wildcats finished with 518 total yards while giving up just 269 yards to Hancock. The Cats also racked up 17 first downs to the visitors 19 and didn’t have a turnover while forcing three interceptions.

The Wildcats defense was led by senior Jacob Amos who recored 11 tackles. Freshman defensive lineman Hunter Fulks added nine tackles including three for a loss and two sacks. Senior Jason Anderson tacked on eight tackles including two for loss and two sacks. Senior Brad Baker also had eight tackles inclusding one for a loss. McKay, Thomas and Cross all had five tackles, while Billiter added four. Higgins added two interceptions and a tackle. Sophomores Thomas Spruill and Gavin Lewis each hd a tackle for a loss.

Paden City will travel to Beallsville, Ohio, Friday in hopes of securing another win as they look to reach 5-5 by the end of the season. They now stand at 3-5 with Bealsville and Valley left. Look for the Cats to come home with a 28-14 win on Friday.