PUSH COMES TO SHOVE FOR JR. BEARCATS

The Booneville Junior High Bearcats had not been cruising since taking down a 6A team on the road on September 8. While a 34-6 final may not suggest as much, they got pushed Thursday night in Mansfield.

The shoved back.

Chase Shelton scored a pair of second half touchdowns and Conner Droemer returned an interception for a touchdown to help the Bearcats (7-0, 4-0 Conference 3A-1) break away from a 12-6 lead at the intermission.

Twice backed up by holding calls, the Bearcat offense would have to punt on its first second half possession with Clint Osborne getting off a 35 yard effort.

The Tigers converted one third-and-long on their first possession of the half but were unable to convert a second and punted with 2:17 to play in the third quarter.

Hunter Warren started the next Bearcat drive with a 10-yard run and on a third-and-3 Shelton got free for a 48-yard touchdown run. Warren added a two-point conversion for a 20-6 lead.

Shelton finished with 64 yards on just three carries.

Mansfield (5-2) got five yards on the final play of the quarter but nothing on the first two of the final quarter then went to the air.

Droemer picked off a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown and with Rhett Nietert adding a conversion run it was 28-6 with 6:22 to play.

With his coaches considering a field goal attempt if a third down play was short, Shelton went 13 yards for a touchdown with 1:29 to go. A PAT failed keeping the score 34-6.

It would be a stout defense that led the way from the outset as Seth Wilson forced a fumble that Shelton recovered at the Tiger 29-yard line.

Wilson led the Bearcat defense with 11 tackles. Warren added eight with three goingit for a loss

It took the Bearcats seven plays to score after the turnover. Droemer converted a fourth down and Conner Lentz got the touchdown on a third down, 10-yard run to make it 6-0 with 3:33 left in the opening quarter.

Mansfield responded with a 62-yard drive to draw even on a 6-yard scoring pass.

It took the Bearcats just 26 seconds to answer as Droemer went 40 yards for a touchdown and it was 12-6.

Droemer led the Bearcats with 81 yards on his seven carries.

Osborne caused a fumble that Mansfield got back on the next possession but the Tigers would be forced to punt, then Shelton recovered an errant pitch to save a Bearcat possession and the Bearcats would also punt.

The Bearcats survived another fumble just before the half.

The Bearcats will play next on Thursday at Charleston.