The Woodland Wildcats (0-7, 0-5) fell to Paulding County (3-4, 2-3) on Friday night by a score of 35-21. Woodland was not without opportunity and the game was much closer than the final score indicates.
On North Paulding’s opening drive, Woodland recovered a fumble on its own 20-yard line but was forced to punt after committing several offensive penalties. After holding Paulding County out of the end zone, Woodland had the ball again and was again forced to punt. This time, the punt was blocked and North Paulding took over inside the Woodland 10-yard line. Paulding County would score on a 5-yard touchdown run to put Woodland behind 7-0.
Woodland was not held quiet, as Bryson Kellet connected for a 35-yard touchdown pass and Titus Jones converted a 2-point conversion to give Woodland an early 8-7 lead. Paulding County would answer as it would score on a hook-and-ladder play with 10 seconds left in the first quarter to again put Woodland behind. Not to be outdone, the Wildcats put together a long drive, which included two fourth down conversions. Chris Mills would punch the ball in from two yards out to once again give Woodland a 1-point lead 15-14.
Paulding County answered and would score two more touchdowns before the half as it would connect on a 31-yard touchdown run and score on a 2-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds remaining, which would put Woodland down 28-15 at the half.
In its first possession of the second half, Woodland would fumble the ball, but Paulding County was unable to capitalize as the field goal missed. The game would remain scoreless with neither defense giving an inch until Brody Williams would connect with Titus Jones for a 40-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats would miss the PAT but had time on their side with 6:30 left in the game. Paulding County would then put a long drive together and would score on a 5-yard run to put the game away from the Wildcats.
Woodland will play East Paulding, a team that beat Cass 24-9 Friday night, for a home game next Friday at 7:30.