California can’t handle ’Cats pressure

The Warsaw Wildcats dialed up their defense in the second half Friday night.

Warsaw sacked the California quarterback five times and made one interception after halftime of a 19-3 victory over the Pintos at Warsaw High School.

The Wildcats (2-1, 1-0) blew open a close Tri-County Conference game in the second half. They unleashed their blitz, getting constant pressure on  California quarterback Ethan Kramel.

Alex Brosnahan knocked the ball loose from Kramel, and Tyler Allen recovered, giving the Wildcats their first big break of the second half.

After a series of short runs gave the Wildcats a first down, Johnny Eierman dashed into the end zone on a 20-yard run, and Warsaw led 13-3 late in the third quarter.

Warsaw quarterback Logan Smith broke another big play midway through the fourth quarter, running 52 yards on first down to give the Wildcats a 19-3 lead with 7:58 left in the game.

The Warsaw defense stepped up the pressure after halftime, forcing two fumbles and keeping California off the scoreboard despite the Pintos having good field position.

The Pintos started drives at their own 45-yard line, their own 44 and their  46.

Warsaw’s defense made sure the Pintos didn’t get back into the game in the closing minutes.

The Pintos drove into Warsaw territory after starting at their own 17. Kyle Orick sacked Kramel on first down, Allen Painter sacked him on third down, and Eierman intercepted his fourth-down pass, securing the win for the Wildcats.

The Pintos put together an impressive game-opening drive. They took the ball at their own 31 and marched all the way to the Warsaw 12, taking up most of the first quarter.

California converted three third-down plays and one on fourth down to keep the drive alive.

The Pintos converted on third-and-7, third-and-4, fourth-and-1 and third-and-3.

California had a first-and-10 at the Warsaw 12, but a holding penalty called back an 8-yard run by Kramel.

The Pintos settled for a 37-yard field goal with 3:24 left in the first quarter.

Warsaw quickly marched down field at the end of the quarter. Smith gained first downs on a 12-yard run and a 20-yard run. Painter went 4 yards for another first down.

Smith’s 20-yard run gave the Wildcats possession at the California 25.

The Wildcats then lost 5 yards on a bad snap, and two plays later, Warsaw fumbled with California taking possession at its own 25.

Warsaw’s offense didn’t stay off the field for long.

Cody Wright sacked Kramel on first down for a 9-yard loss.

After Cody Arrowood gained 10 yards on second down, California fumbled and the Wildcats’ Ryan Spry recovered at the California 29.

This time, the Wildcats cashed in.

Smith ran on three straight plays, gaining 15 yards. Painter ran 7 more, and Ray Hoover picked up a first-and-goal at the 5.

Painter took the next snap into the end zone, and Hoover’s kick gave Warsaw a 7-3 lead with 7:56 left in the second quarter.

That was the only point-after touchdown scored by the Wildcats.

SOURCE: KAYQ FM