Miscues by Rebels benefit Wildcats

9/29/2012 12:46:00 AM Miscues by Rebels benefit Wildcats

CHRIS LINER By FRANK BUMB NINETY SIX - Ninety Six High School's football team had as good a first quarter as a football team could have on its way to a 35-15 victory against Region 2-AA foe Mid-Carolina. The Wildcats even scored on a lucky break, with Reid Slack pouncing on a Brandon Cheatham fumble in the end zone for the score to give Ninety Six an early lead. Mid-Carolina did itself no favors as a botched reverse on the kick return sacrificed field position. After six plays, the Wildcats forced a punt and scored on their first play on a 54-yard pass from Hunter Watson to Christopher Prater. Mid-Carolina's misfortunes on kickoffs continued as a skied kick was pounced upon by Cedric Williams to give the Wildcats another opportunity to score. Brandon Cheatham capped the 32-yard drive with a 5-yard run to give the Wildcats a 21-point advantage against the stunned Rebels. "We've had opportunities these past two weeks and really all season to make plays, but just didn't make them," Ninety Six coach Chris Liner said. "Tonight, we made some really good football plays." But the Wildcats were not afforded the opportunity to waltz through the second half, as the Rebels came out fired up and scored on a 26-yard run by Nick Sims-Metts. The next Wildcat possession saw the Mid-Carolina faithful become irate after Watson was ruled down, taking a potential fumble recovery away from the Rebels. After a false start, Watson and the Wildcats responded with a 57-yard strike to Ryan Booker to silence the crowd and put things out of reach for the Rebels. "We answered when things got rough," Liner said. "This season we've had some adversity and hadn't really stepped up, but tonight we said, 'So what?' and came right back. I couldn't be prouder of our guys and our coaches." MORE IN TODAY'S INDEX-JOURNALwww.indexjournal.com

Ninety Six turns the tables

9/8/2012 1:52:00 AM Ninety Six turns the tables Wildcats get first win of season after Ware Shoals starts strong

By FRANK BUMB WARE SHOALS - Things finally looked up for Ware Shoals High School's football team. After taking a go-ahead, four-point lead against visiting Ninety Six, Hornet Shamar Rice leapt in front of a Hunter Watson pass for an interception. Three plays later, the Hornets' explosive running back, Jaquan Hicks, was stood up at the tail-end of a 13-yard run and stripped by Ninety Six sophomore Rod Johnson. It was practice coming through in the clutch for the Wildcats. The Wildcats won their first game of the season Friday night, topping Ware Shoals 30-13 at Riegel Stadium. "We practice tackle and strip every single day," Ninety Six coach Chris Liner said. "Ten minutes every day, and in the end, it really helped us there." For Ware Shoals, it represented a crushing reversal when Ninety Six managed to get a touchdown off the turnover. "I mean, obviously, that made things an entirely different ballgame," Ware Shoals coach Lance Abernathy said. "If we had been able to go down and score off the interception ..." Johnson had two big turnovers, both of which led to points. Johnson's strip led to a Jaquon Louden 2-yard touchdown and his 60-yard return of an interception on a desperation throw by Hornet quarterback Shamar Rice sealed the game. "Sometimes when you get a young team, you need to see how they react to adversity," Liner said. "We challenged our old heads to keep things cool and to lead us when things got chippy and tight." MORE IN TODAY'S INDEX-JOURNAL

Earth Buddies at Ninety Six Primary School

The following students have been chosen as the first 9 week Earth Buddies at Ninety Six Primary School: Emmaous Thomas, Jasmine Capley, Jaycob Gonzalez, Amerria Payne, Iyanna Hart, Zaylan Griffin, Caroline Gunter, Gabe McCary, Aniya Louden, Sophia Tafta, Chaney Smith, and Abi Stewart. Second graders can complete an application to apply for a position as one of 12 students (each 9 weeks) who are responsible for gathering recyclables at the school. Earth Buddies are chosen by their classroom teacher and Science Lab teacher, based on their adherence to the school pledge to be 'peaceful, respectful, and responsible'. A new group is chosen for each 9 week period of the school year. A special 'thank you' to the 2011-2012 PTO for the shirts! Ninety Six Primary School is proud of their Earth Buddies!