Wildcats Make A Statement

After an impressive showing at the Sertoma Classic, the West Ashley High School Wildcats showed last Friday that they are for real. Coming off a one-win season a year ago, WAHS has already matched their win total in just one week. And they did it by routing the defending back-to-back Division II-AA state champion Bishop England Bishops 28-6 last Friday night.
Last year’s 1-10 season seems to be a distant memory for the Wildcats, who avenged last year’s 34-10 loss to the Bishops.
This year was a different story as the Wildcats dominated the Bishops on both sides of the ball, scoring a touchdown in every quarter and shutting B.E. out for the first three quarters.
WAHS junior quarterback Pedro Manigault lead the Wildcats by rushing for 135 yards with junior running back Cameron Byas adding 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Byas scored the first two touchdowns of the night on runs of 1 and 2 yards, giving the Wildcats a 14-0 lead at the half. The Bishops knocked on the door in the first half but squandered opportunities when quarterback Jack Wilson threw an interception in the end zone that was picked off by Tyreek Campbell. On the next possession Wilson was sacked and fumbled the ball. The Wildcats did not let up after that.
In the third quarter, punter Tyler Pentz pinned the Bishops inside their own 5-yard line. Then Anthony Lacosta recovered a Wilson fumble in end zone, giving the Wildcats a 21-0 lead.
In the fourth quarter the Wildcats put the nail in the coffin with a 2-yard touchdown run by Marquize Jenkins. Kicker Caroline Cashion converted on all four PAT attempts. The Bishops’ lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 35-yard run by Nick Shiver. It was one of the only bright spots for the defending state champs.
For WAHS it was a step in the right direction. This week they hope to continue their winning ways as they host cross-town rivals James Island High, who is coming off a dominant 40-6 win over St. John’s High. The game will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 at Wildcat Stadium.