KEYTESVILLE, Mo. - Schuyler County quarterback Gage Pauley accounted for five touchdowns Saturday afternoon, but Greenfield’s rushing attack and timely big plays carried the Wildcats to a 58-38 victory over the Rams.
Pauley rushed for 202 yards and four touchdowns and passed for another score. His production kept Schuyler County in contention after Greenfield built a 20-point lead in the first half, but the Rams could not string together enough defensive stops to close the gap.
Schuyler County appeared to score on its opening possession when Antonio Wysocki broke a long run, but a holding penalty brought the touchdown back. The Rams eventually turned the ball over on downs, and Greenfield took a 6-0 lead on a 4-yard run by Hudson McGuire. Pauley answered on fourth down with a touchdown pass to Mason Oliver, tying the game before Drake Morrison’s 10-yard run gave Greenfield a 12-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Two Schuyler County interceptions helped Greenfield create separation in the second quarter. The Wildcats pushed their lead to 20-6, then faced third-and-20 with the Rams looking for a chance to get the ball back. Morrison found McGuire for a long touchdown instead, extending Greenfield’s advantage to 26-6.
Pauley brought Schuyler County back with a 37-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion. The Rams had one more opportunity before halftime, taking the snap with just over five seconds left. Pauley kept the ball, escaped downfield and pitched it to Cash Cunningham as he was being tackled. Cunningham carried the ball to the 1-yard line, but time expired on the play with Greenfield ahead 26-14.
The teams combined for five touchdowns in the third quarter. McGuire scored on a 37-yard run shortly after halftime, and Pauley answered with a short touchdown run and conversion to cut Greenfield’s lead to 32-22. Morrison then scored on runs of 17 and 10 yards as the Wildcats moved ahead 46-22. Pauley’s 12-yard touchdown and another conversion brought the Rams within 46-30 before the quarter ended.
Greenfield added six points early in the fourth when Morrison recovered a fumble in the end zone. Schuyler County responded once more, with Pauley scoring from 8 yards out and converting the two-point attempt to make it 52-38 with 7:32 remaining. The Rams could get no closer. Wyatt Dodd-Mitchell scored on a 4-yard run with 3:34 left to set the final margin.
Pauley finished 11-for-24 passing for 123 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, along with his 202 yards on 26 carries. Wysocki added 35 rushing yards, while Cunningham caught four passes for 32 yards. For Greenfield, McGuire rushed for 164 yards and Morrison added 147 as the Wildcats finished with 343 rushing yards by the broadcast’s unofficial count.
Schuyler County travels to North Shelby next Friday, Oct. 2.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
