OKOLONA - The first meeting of the Okolona Chiefs and Houlka Wildcats produced an outcome and final score expected by most, but wasn't without it's share of highlights and first night mistakes from both sides of the field.

The Chiefs racked up points and penalties while the Cats dug in and refused to give up, but their youth and inexperience on the field showed.

"It was the first game of the season and it looked like it," said Coach Calvin Aldridge of the yellow flags that littered the field all game long. "We had too many penalties and missed cues."

“We made a lot of mistakes,” said Coach Rob Allen of Houlka. “The boys never quit, but I thought we showed a lack of discipline that will be fixed this week.”

Derrick Ivy got the credit for putting the Chiefs on the board in the first quarter and the Okolona defense held the Cats back, forcing the punt. Zack Brooks hit Antwon Grady to cross into Houlka territory and Kentray Ware moved the ball inside the 20 before a series of penalties stalled the Chiefs. Ryan Isabell headed to the outside on third down for the score and sophomore Arirus Jenkins sailed the ball through the uprights.

The Wildcats received and had very little luck moving the ball through a maroon wall, punting it away on fourth down.

Derrick Ivy went for the run and gained five yards before Joseph Bean got in the stop and two incomplete passes put the Chiefs at fourth down. A punt fake and pass to Ordarrion McCoy put the Chiefs on the Houlka 17 and Isabell once again took it in for the TD, followed by the PAT by Jenkins.

The Cats again were unsuccessful moving the ball and the Chiefs looked as though they would suffer the same fate with a fumble causing a loss in yardage, more flags and a big running play stopped by the Cats, but they gained the first down on a bomb from Brooks to Brenzo Gillard to move forward. After another first down, the Chiefs were stalled by the Cats defense as Corey Pulliam and Brandon Griffis knocked back McCoy for a loss and Conner Easterly got a hand in for a pass break up, forcing the Okolona punt.

Moore hit Lorenzo Jones for a first down and retained the ball on a penalty but miscues on snaps forced them into a punt situation. Another bad snap negated the punt, and kicker Brandon Isabell recovered and hit the sideline attempting to salvage the down, but couldn't get quite enough yards.

The Chiefs first play of possession as Brooks hit Grady for another TD and follow with a conversion. The Cats received and QB Jones ran for six then hit Pulliam to move across the 50 to the Okolona 35 before time ran out in the half with the Chiefs up 30-0.

Chiefs add to score for win

The second half saw the Cats continue to struggle offensively, but step up their defense to control the Chiefs more successfully. Moore got a big sack on Brooks for a ten-yard loss and Griffis denied any yardage but third down saw Jenkins hand off to D. Ivy who headed down the sideline across the 50 for a first down. Ware got the handoff and went all the way into the end zone for the final OHS TD. The Chiefs scored two more on a safety to put them at 39-0.

Fourth quarter saw the Wildcats make another attempt at the goal line, but the Chiefs were having none of it with Cass Lagrone getting a sack on Jones and Casey Gathings denying yardage. The ball returned to the Chiefs, but the Cats played payback, stopping the running game cold and forcing the turnover on downs.

With time running out, the Cats began again from deep in their own territory and a bad snap pushed them further in the wrong direction. A Jones pass to Pulliam was complete but not enough for a first down as time ran out with the Chiefs taking the victory.

Aldridge and the Chiefs will take the win, but will spend plenty of time on the field correcting mistakes before heading into their next bout.

"We'll work this week," Aldridge said. "We've got to cut down on mistakes and work together."

Allen will also have his team working to correct mistakes.

“Every time I had a player go away from their assignment, Okolona attached the spot where my player was supposed to be. Okolona is very good. They will be a playoff team with a shot of going a long way. I wish them all the luck in the world this season.”

The Wildcats will head to Hatley this Friday for game two in their first all-varsity season. Their initial venture did not put up any points, but their determination and resolve showed on the field.

"I have to give compliments to the coaches," Aldridge said. "They keep coming."