Bobcats Blast Rockets, 41-14

MORRAL — It took one year and three and a half hours for the Green Bobcats to get some revenge.

The Bobcats lost 27-8 to the Ridgedale Rockets last season, but they made a return visit on Friday and came away with a 41-14 win.

“We had a really good week of practice. We knew it would be a challenge to go on the road, especially with a three and a half hour bus ride,” said Green coach Chad Coffman.

Green (3-0) had 419 yards rushing on 49 carries led by Landan Lodwick who rushed 11 times for 171 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Nathaniel Brannigan had a big game as he ran 21 times for 120 yards.

Blake Smith carried 5 times for 47 yards and a TD, quarterback Abe McBeen rushed 7 times for 46 yards and a score and Trevor Sparks added 35 yards on 4 carries.

McBee did complete one of his 3 passes for 4 yards to Lodwick to give Green 423 total yards.

“Our backs were very explosive running the ball at times,” said Coffman.

The Bobcats opened the scoring with a 5-yard run by Smith and it was 6-0.

Lodwick bolted 53 yards for the next score and McBee ran for the conversion to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

Lodwick stretched the lead to 21-0 with a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Quincy Merrill kicked the conversion.

Neither team scored in the third quarter but then they combined for 34 points in the fourth quarter.

“I thought we came out very focused and ready to play. We lost our offensive focus in the middle of the game. This is something that we can learn from and really study on film. It could give us a chance to get much better if we respond the right way,” said Coffman.

Ridgedale (1-2) drew first blood in the fourth quarter on a 70-yard pass from Nathan Thiel to Landon Murphy. Thiel ran for the conversion and Green’s lead was 21-8.

But the Bobcats answered with a 16-yard touchdown run by Lodwick and it was 27-8.

Lodwick came back with a 32-yard scoring run and Merrill’s conversion kick opened up a 34-8 cushion.

McBee raced 45 yards down the left sideline for the final Green score and Merrill’s kick put the lead at 41-8.

Thiel threw 50 yards to Evan Ricketts to complete the scoring.

Thiel ended with 124 yards passing and Murphy had 75 yards receiving.

“The defense was very strong early. We held them to negative yards until well into the fourth quarter,” said Coffman.

McBee had 13 tackles including 6 solo stops to lead the defense. Among his tackles were 2 sacks and he also had 2 fumble recoveries.

Levi Waddell and Sparks each had an interception as Green faced 5 turnovers.

Green hosts Racine Southern on Friday.

Green 14 7 0 20 = 41

Ridgedale 0 0 0 14 = 14

First Quarter

Gr — Blake Smith 5 run (run failed)

Gr — Landan Lodwick 53 run (Abe McBee run)

Second Quarter

Gr — Landan Lodwick 5 run (Quincy Merrill kick)

Fourth Quarter

Rdg — Landon Murphy 70 pass from Nathan Thiel (run)

Gr — Landan Lodwick 16 run (kick failed)

Gr — Landan Lodwick 32 run (Quincy Merrill kick)

Gr — Abe McBee 45 run (Quincy Merrill kick)

Rdg — Evan Ricketts 50 pass from Nathan Thiel (pass failed)