Turnovers costly to 'Cats in playoffs

By JEFF NEAL

Correspondent

BRENTWOOD — The turnover was Wilson Central's undoing in the first round of the playoffs as the Wildcats lost the ball four times, leading to 21 points, in Brentwood's 35-0 victory Friday night.

"We did not win the battle up front. Whoever wins in the trenches is usually going to win the ballgame," Wildcat coach Brad Dedman said after Central ended an 8-3 season.

The turnover bug began on the second play of the game as Wilson Central fumbled. It appeared the runner was down but the officials saw it differently and gave the ball to the Bruins at the 44-yard line.

The Bruins ran nearly six minutes off the clock in a time-consuming drive that led to a short run by Austin Winfree. It was the first of two scores on the night for the senior quarterback.

In the second quarter, Brentwood scored twice. The first came on an eight-play, 79-yard drive that was capped by a 3-yard run by David Meehan. The key play was a 41-yard pass from Winfree to Andy Schumpert.

The second score came after a turnover as the Wildcats were in the deepest part of the field all game at the 26-yard line. Jordan Roundtree rolled out and put the ball up for grabs and it was intercepted by JB Calton. It was the first of two pickoffs on the night for the senior defensive back.

Brentwood ran 10 plays covering 80 yards and capped by the second short run by Winfree and the Bruins had a commanding 21-0 lead at halftime.

The second half opened with the Wilson Central defense forcing a three and out

and Brentwood punted. The ball bounced and took a roll and the returner attempted

to pick it up but he lost the ball and Brentwood recovered at the 29-yard line.

Brentwood scored again on an 8-yard run by Anthony Caldwell and the score was 28-0 in favor of the Bruins.

Wilson Central scored on a pass play of 36 yards from Roundtree to Chris Lee, but the touchdown was called back because of offsetting penalties by both teams.

Brentwood closed out the scoring on a 7-yard run by Issac Martinez, after which the clock ran continuously as the mercy rule was enacted.

"We need to get stronger in our line positions and stronger up front," Dedman said on what his team needs to improve on for next season, which would be his fourth as head coach.

Brentwood improved to 10-1 and will host Overton next week in the second round.