The Sonora Wildcats lost to the Hughson Huskies 52-51 Friday night in a wild game that saw 10 lead changes and was not decided until the final play. Tense play out of the gate put the Wildcats in an early 10-0 hole. Hughson quarterback Robert McDaniel led the Huskies on a quick drive with plenty of precise passing. The Wildcat defense stepped up in the red zone and sacked McDaniel to force a field goal. On their first play from scrimmage, the Sonora offense fumbled the snap, which was recovered by the Huskies. The next play, McDaniel hit one of his receivers on a 44-yard slant pattern for a touchdown and the early 10-0 lead. The Wildcats were able to recover however and ripped off 17 unanswered points, as the next three drives ended with an Emanuel Garibay field goal, a 12-yard Brody Speer touchdown, and a 43-yard Cash Byington touchdown. The Huskies offense found their footing again on the next series, as McDaniel connected for a 70-yard touchdown pass to beat a Wildcat blitz and tie the game at 17 a side. The next Sonora drive stalled, and a low snap prevented Garibay from getting the punt off, giving Hughson the ball deep in Wildcat territory. The Huskies struck paydirt on a 3rd down scramble drill by McDaniel, who found a man deep in the endzone to put Hughson back on top. Sonora came roaring back with a quick strike of their own as Tommy Sutton broke free for a 70-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24. The Huskies answered again with another quick drive and another McDaniel passing touchdown. The Wildcats’ two-minute drill would be unable to put any points on the board before the half, as a 45-yard Garibay field goal attempt fell just short, leaving the score 31-24 Hughson at the half.
