Wampus Cats end season with loss at Cabot

By Dustin Guffey
UCA sportswriting

The Conway Wampus Cats were outmanned, outmuscled and outplayed Friday night as they fell to the Cabot Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Class 7A state playoffs, 38-7.

The Wampus Cats, who finished the season 5-7, had already lost once to the Panthers during the regular season, 38-21.

Conway never could get it going against the Panthers as it punted the ball away on its first five possessions. Cabot, on the other hand, scored on its first four possessions to jump out to a 24-0 lead.

Wampus Cat junior receiver Jalen Jones said his team just couldn't kick it in gear early in the game to establish any momentum.

“We just came out a little sluggish and when we got down, we just couldn't get back in it,” Jones said. “They (Cabot) did a good job of keeping the lead and not letting us get back in it.”

Michael James and Jeremy Berry carried the load for Cabot, combining for 188 yards on 37 carries with James adding two touchdowns. The Panthers defense also swarmed the Wampus Cats offense all night, holding them to only 146 yards of total offense while gaining 318.

It may take a while for new Conway coach Clint Ashcraft to get this team to the “big game,” but Jones said he was optimistic about the new coach for several reasons.

“I thought Coach did a great job in teaching us everything and figuring out everyone's strengths and weaknesses,” Jones said. “We will be even tougher next season.”

When asked just how far this young but talented team could go next season, Jones didn't hesitate.

“I have high expectations next year; we are going to get a ring,” he said.