Wildcats start season 1-0 after throttling Poplar 42-26 at home
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The Harlem Wildcats picked up a huge season opening win this past Friday, taking down the Poplar Indians 42-26. The Wildcats were a happy bunch following their first victory in a long time. Senior tailback Andrew Rasmussen rushed for a school record 308 yards on just 15 carries. Rasmussen also found the end zone five times to propel the Wildcats to a win. Harlem also honored it's five seniors as they and their families took the field prior to the game.
The Harlem Wildcats have had a long tough dry spell where wins on the grid iron have been measured in years, not weeks. The 2020 Wildcat Football team has put in the time and effort to make sure that doesn't continue. They did just that in their season and home opener this past Friday as they dominated the visiting Poplar Indians start to finish while earning a 42-26 win.
The Wildcats haven't found the win column since September of 2017 when they picked up a forfeit win over Poplar. Head Coach Derek Azure, along with coach Ken Mount have done a nice job preparing this group of student athletes. Despite all the trials and tribulations that everyone has had to deal with, Azure and Mount have put in the time and effort needed to change the culture of Wildcat football.
Furthermore, Azure and his staff have had to prepare a team with low participation numbers and had just 12 kids dressed for the contest Friday night. The roster will grow some as players become eligible with the required number of practices. Azure has got the kids to quickly adapt to a new system and has been impressed with their ability to absorb change and that was very evident by their performance on the field Friday night against Poplar.
Senior Andrew Rasmussen had a huge effort for the Wildcats in the home game and season opener. The speedy tailback scored his first touchdown of the contest on a five yard run. Senior Zach Kinyon added the two-point conversion to give Harlem a early 8-0 lead.
The Indians would answer back with a score of their own but a failed conversion left Harlem with the lead 8-6.
Rasmussen found room to start another Wildcat drive, used his blockers effectively and rambled 80 yards for his second touchdown of the night to extend the Wildcat lead to 14-6. The Indians tied things up later at 14-14 but that would be their last score for some time.
Harlem cranked up the offensive attack with a dominating ground attack and a huge second half effort.. Rasmussen score his third touchdown moments later on a 55 yard scamper to give the Wildcats a 20-14 lead that would never be challenged.
Senior quarterback followed with a 35 yard score of his own. Rasmussen added the conversion run and suddenly Harlem held a 28-14 advantage.
The Wildcats were relentless with their rushing attack start to finish and Rasmussen added another five yard score to start the fourth quarter, extending the home teams lead to 34-14.
The Indians were finally able to score again but Harlem quickly responded with Rasmussen's fifth rushing touch down. Junior Darius Long Knife added the conversion run to give Harlem a 42-20 lead late in the contest. Poplar scored an inconsequential touchdown as time expired, but the Wildcats had earned a dominate 42-26 win to start the season 1-0.
It was an impressive performance for the shorthanded Wildcats. Rasmussen rushed for a school record 308 yards on just 15 carries while also scoring five touchdowns. Rider rushed for 104 yards and one score from his quarterback position on just 10 attempts. Rider also passed for 66 yards in the win.
Defensively the Wildcats were led by junior John Hughes with 14 tackles. Kinyon added nine stops of his own, including three for loss. Junior Amari Stanley tallied 12 tackles in the win while also intercepting an Indian pass. Sophomore Charlie Calvert thwarted a Poplar drive as well with an interception.
Azure was very pleased with his teams effort on the field, "I was very impressed with how our defensive line and our offensive line dominated the game. Kinyon, (Senior) Cassius Johnson, (Junior) Coleman Gray, (Junior) Mike King, and (Senior) Jeremiah Mount deserve all the credit for our teams 430 plus rushing yards and over 500 yards total offense." Azure added, "Poplar capitalized on our mistakes, to their credit. All four of their scoring drives starting in Wildcat territory."
The Wildcats will look to continue their strong start to the season this Friday when they welcome the Wolf Point Wolves to town. Harlem will be celebrating Homecoming throughout the week, culminating with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff Friday night.
