Bobcats visiting much-improved Kelly

Published 8:57 am Wednesday, September 9, 2015

ORANGEFIELD — The Orangefield Bobcats will look to get back on the winning track this week as they will take a short trek to Beaumont to take on a much-improved Beaumont Kelly squad.

The Bobcats (1-1) dropped a tough 24-14 decision to the Kirbyville Wildcats last week after they belted Buna 42-26 in their season opener.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start. Kelly hammered Houston KIPP 31-0 in its opener and took an impressive 13-12 road win against Hardin-Jefferson last week.

The Bobcats slowed down a high-powered Kirbyville attack last week, limiting the Wildcats to just 190 total yards but gave up a safety and a tough interception return for a touchdown in the loss.

Orangefield has rushed for 563 yards in its first two games, led by quarterback Backs Matthew Watkins, who has accounted for 238 yards. Christopher McGee, Triston McGee, Dylan Anthony and Wesley Frillou have teamed up for nice yardage with Frillou scoring on a couple long TD dashes.

The Bulldogs return six starters on offense and five on defense for coach Al Rabb.

Quarterback Connor Quinn has been impressive in the early stages and he has a go-to receiver in Hogan Hillin.

Defense might be where the Bulldogs have shown the most improvement, led by linebacker Simon Guillory, as Kelly has allowed a mere 12 points in eight quarters of action.

The Bobcats hammered the Bulldogs 56-7 last season, piling up 452 yards on the ground. Colby Choate, Triston McGee and Matthew Kress teamed up for 212 of it on just 21 carries as the Bobcats scored 14 points in each quarter to pull away easily.