CUMBERLAND - Houlka Coach Rob Allen continues to push his fledgling team and keeps notes on every positive point as the Wildcats work through their first varsity season. Their bout with East Webster didn't put them in the "win" column, but allowed them another face-to-face, learning experience against another seasoned team.

"They were well prepared and it showed," Allen said of Jimmy Carden's Wolverines. "They executed very effectively. The experience of being on the field with them will make us better."

By the quarters

Houlka kicked off to Demetrius O'Briant, who brought the ball back out to the 45 yard line and followed it with a first down to the Houlka 26. Lilton Vance muscled his way for five years and O'Briant ran it in from 21 yards out for the first East Webster score of the night. O'Briant made the conversion run good for an 8-0 Wolverine lead.

The Wildcats had a tough start on their opening drive as QB Mark Eaton was intercepted on third and long by East Webster's Nate Carroll who returned the pick for a TD. The Wildcats rallied to block the PAT, but the Wolves took a 14-0 lead with just over nine minutes left to play in the first quarter.

The Cats started over from the 20 yard line but another interception, this time from EW QB Ledrick Patterson returned possession to the Wolverines. The Wolves moved the ball down field with Bolo McCurry gaining a first down and Timakis Bell grabbing a second. Patterson hit O'Briant for a 24 yard gain to the one-yard-line and then kept the ball for the TD. Bell put up the PAT and the Wolverines extended their lead to 21-0.

The Cats went three and out and the Wolves took advantage of good field position with McCurry gaining a first down to the ten and Patterson connecting with Miguel Graham for the TD. The PAT failed, leaving EW up 27-0.

The Houlka offense couldn't get a drive going, but the defense showed some spark with sophomore, Willie Hobson, dropping McCurry in the backfield for a loss and Dante Turner breaking up a pass. Lorenzo Jones stopped McCurry short of the first down, forcing the Wolves to enter the second quarter at fourth and one.

Coach Carden put the ball in the hands of the big man, Vance, who shoved it over for a first down and then a TD two plays later to put the Wolves up 33-0.

Second quarter, second wind

The Wildcats came out with a more determined defense in the second quarter and put up a fight. After an O'Briant interception returned possession to the Wolves, the Cats refused forward movement with Hobson pushing back the runner for a four-yard loss and Jones getting his fingers in to break up a pass play. Kevin Stanfield and Trey Bean got the stop on McCurry to force the fourth-and-nine and Turner broke up a pass to Graham to return possession to the Cats.

Bean got a run to the 44 for a first down with EW's Codie Silver preventing further damage, but the next play saw a fumble with a Wolves recovery. The Wolverines gained a first down and McCurry made the big run from the 50 to the end zone and Bell followed with the PAT.

The Wolves kicked off and the Wildcats deflected the ball to ground it on their own 42. After gaining five yards on a J. Bean run, the Cats stalled and were forced to punt, but O'Briant's fumble on reception was recovered by the Cats on the 20 yard-line. Eaton connected with Isabell for a short gain and this Octavious Stevens on fourth-and-nine for a Wildcat TD. The PAT failed, but the Cats headed to the half with points on the board.

Defense

The Cats and Wolves met head on with defense in the second half, producing no more scores but making plays that seemed to lead there.

A EW interception by Tripp Pate stopped the Wildcats first drive, but the Houlka boys returned the favor, holding the line and forcing the EW punt.

The Cats went into a punting position on their next possession but the punt by Isabell was blocked was recovered by Isabell who ran it to the 33 for a first down. On second-and-13, Standfield got loose and ran to the EW 27 before Silver could drag him down to prevent the TD. Jones got a run on second-and-twelve to the 19 and J. Bean took it to the 11 with Silver again making the stop before the Cats hit the goal line. The Wildcats looked determined to cross the goal but Cody McKee's pick off negated their drive as he returned the ball to the EW 40 to close the quarter.

The Cats bowed up and forced the EW punt and the Wolves returned the favor with neither team advancing. A Wildcat fumble returned the ball to the Wolves, but Brandon Griffis got the QB sack and Terrence Ford snagged the interception to give the Cats possession late in the quarter. The Wolves were giving nothing up in the final seconds of play and the Cats were still struggling to drive the ball forward as they went for fourth-and-forever with five seconds left. The pass went incomplete and the Wolves took the 40-6 win.

Allen sees the positives and negatives in his team and the potential that lies ahead for them.

"We have seven turnovers that hurt us badly," Allen said. "We are very young and have played a very difficult schedule. I have taken this approach to prepare us for conference play against Jumpertown, New Site and Tupelo Christian Prep. I am very proud of the work ethic and improvements we have shown over the last couple of weeks."

The Cats were shutout by Okolona in their first game, but have successfully scored on Hatley, South Pontotoc and East Webster in the following weeks. They will travel to Hamilton for their last non-conference game this Friday.

"Hamilton will be another tough game," Allen said. "This tough schedule will prepare us for years to come. The main positive is that my boys played with everything they had for four quarters. If they continue to never quit, we will have this program built sooner rather than later."

The Wolverines will go on the road this week to take on the Trojans of Bruce.