‘Cats fall 60-20 to Nashville

By Staff, 09/1/17 10:20 PM

NASHVILLE – Hope got off to a good start to open its 2017 grid campaign, by driving 71-yards and scoring on its opening drive.

However, from there, it was pretty much all Nashville, as the Scrappers posted a 60-20 win over the ‘Cats.

Hope began the game at its 29 and needed eight plays to score its first touchdown of the night. The point after was good and the ‘Cats were up 7-0.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the Scrappers retaliated by scoring 20 unanswered points to go up 20-7. Nashville didn’t punt in the game, but did have a couple of turnovers.

The ‘Cats cut Nashville’s lead in the second period, again with a long drive that ended with Jaylon Conway going in for six with 1:39 left in the half. The PAT was no good, but the ‘Cats were within seven at 20-13.

Hope’s kick went into the end zone giving Nashville the ball at its 20. The Scrappers moved the ball 80 yards in six plays, with the touchdown coming on a six-yard screen. The PAT was no good, but Nashville had doubled Hope at 26-13, where the score remained at the half.

The Scrappers received the kick to start the second half, again starting from the Nashville 20 and driving 80 yards in five plays taking less than a minute off the clock. The PAT made it 33-13 with 10:59 left in the third.

Hope got a good return to its 48, but lost the ball on a fumble with Nashville recovering at midfield.

Four plays later, the Scrappers were again in the Bobcat end zone. The PAT split the uprights making it 40-13 with 6:07 showing.

Hope took over at its 30, but couldn’t sustain a drive and punted.

Fortunately, a tipped ball on Nashville’s next play wound up in a Hope defender’s hands, who took it to the Promised Land. The PAT made it 40-20, but the ‘Cats were finished when it came to scoring, while the Scrappers added another 20 points.

The third ended with Nashville up 47-20 and in possession of the ball to start the final 12 minutes. The home team needed six plays to score again, with the PAT making it 5420.

Nashville substituted heavily. Hope began on its 30, but fumbled on the first play, but recovered at the 25. Two plays later Hope punted to the Nashville 48.

For the first time in the game, the ‘Cat defense held with the Scrappers turning the ball over on downs.

On the third play of its next drive, Hope was picked off. Nashville scored on the next play. The PAT was blocked, but the mercy rule was in effect with the score 60-20.

Following the kick, the ‘Cats ran the clock.