Fleming takes 6-point win over Cheraw; enters playoffs at #5

Hometown fans saw an exciting regular season closer in Fleming last Saturday when the Wildcats hosted the Wolverines of Cheraw. Both teams now advance into the State playoff bracket - Fleming in the number five slot and Cheraw at number seven.

The Wildcats won the coin flip and deferred to the second half giving the visiting Wolverines the first offensive opportunity.

Cheraw would begin their campaign marching up field and suffering their first penalties of the game. They chewed up nearly half of the opening quarter on the drive. The Wildcat defense stopped them short and ultimately took over on fourth down following an incomplete pass.

Fleming's offense would take the field for a single play when junior Nolan Japp would find the end zone and pick up his first 39 yards of the of the game. Junior kicker Kenny Bandy's points after kick was blocked and the Wildcats went up 6-0.

The Wolverine offense answered back with six of their own after starting at their own 33-yard line. They called five plays before an 18-yard pass gave them six. Their extras went through the uprights and gave them a two-point advantage, 8-6.

Cheraw's special teams came out to attempt on onside kick. That attempt failed and the Wildcats started their second possession at the Wolverines' 35-yard line. Fleming picked up a few yards before a fourth down and six-yard pass was picked off by Cheraw's defense.

The Wolverine's possession that followed brought a couple first down conversions, the end of the first quarter and gave them their second set of six on the scoreboard. With extra points, they went up 16-6.

Fleming's offense would make another quick appearance and tack on another six on first down as Blake Feather took a 45-yard trip to the end zone. Bandy split the uprights on his points after attempt and the Wildcats trailed by just two 16-14 with 7:13 left in the half.

The Wildcat defense forced Cheraw to run 12 total plays on their next possession that started deep in Wolverine territory. The end of the campaign closed with a Cheraw touchdown on second and goal with a minute left in the half.

Fleming responded with another TD before the close of the second quarter. They opened the drive with a big 34-yard run by senior Joel Muller that brought them out to mid-field. Japp picked up another 25 yards on the play that followed and a chop block call on Cheraw would bring up first and goal. Two plays later, junior quarterback Braylen Feather connected with his cousin, junior Blake Feather for a nine-yard TD pass with :28 left on the clock.

The Wolverine offense grabbed another eight points after a quick two-play outing. Cheraw held the lead at the half, 30-22.

Fleming opened the second half after receiving the kickoff at around mid-field. They ran a couple plays before converting to a first down that would Japp in the end zone. Bandy came out to boot one through and tie up the score at 30-all.

Cheraw's offense came out to pick up about 40 yards on their next possession. They got to first and goal just inside the 15-yard line when Wildcat senior Hayden Burr grabbed an interception.

The Wildcats used the turnover to their advantage running three plays from deep in their own territory before a completed pass to Muller gave him a 52-yard touchdown. Bandy added a pair and Fleming went up 38-30 with nearly four minutes off the third quarter clock.

Fleming's onside kick was recovered by Cheraw at the Fleming 38-yard line. The opening play of the Wolverines' drive was picked off by Muller at the Wildcats' 26.

Japp caught a first-down pass for 17 yards to convert a first down. He followed that up with another 15 yards on the next two plays. Fleming fired off three plays for the next conversion to bring up first and goal. Cheraw's defense held strong putting Braylen Feather on his back on third down and stopping the Wildcats short on fourth. The Wolverines would take over on downs at their own one-yard line.

The Wolverine offense would make a two-play outing before throwing an interception to Blake Feather. Fleming took over at Cheraw's 31 with 1:45 left on the clock. The drive ended with Muller punting the ball away.

Cheraw started off at their own 22-yard line and failed to convert the first down on the four plays that followed. Junior Kolten Houser came up big on fourth down stop to give Fleming the ball back on Cheraw's 25-yard line.

Two plays later Blake Feather would find the end zone for a touchdown and Bandy made good on his two to put the Wildcats up 46-30 with just a minute off the fourth quarter clock.

Cheraw's next offensive drive chewed three minutes off the clock. They ran nine plays and converted two first downs when they found themselves on the one-yard line on first down. The Wildcat defense pushed the Wolverines back a couple yards on second down and held them out of the end zone on third and fourth downs.

Fleming took over at their own one-yard line. Cheraw managed a saftey on second down to chip two points off Fleming's lead, 46-32.

The visiting team followed up those two with another eight on their following possession. After six plays and a penalty, they managed their final eight points of the game with 3:42 left to play. The scoreboard stood at 46-40, Fleming, where it would remain as time ticked down.

Fleming's possession that followed lasted around two minutes. They'd suffer a couple penalties and repeat a few third downs before turning the ball over on downs at the Cheraw 19-yard line.

Cheraw made their final attempt at evening the score. Houser deflected their first-down pass attempt. They took a delay of game penalty on third down and threw an interception to Blake Feather on the repeat third down.

With just 1:17 left on the clock, the Wildcats would take a knee and run out the clock.

Muller caught three passes for 123 yards in the game with one touchdown. He caught one interception and hit double digits with 10 tackles.

Braylen Feather completed nine of 13 passes from the pocket. He threw two touchdowns and finished the day with 192 passing yards.

Japp led on the ground in rushing yards with a total of 101 on 11 carries. He punched the ball into the end zone twice for 12 points.

Blake Feather followed in rushing yards with 78 on 12 carries. He made two trips to the end zone. Defensively, he caught two interceptions and brought down six tackles.

Burr led the Wildcat defense with 14 tackles and an interception. Japp followed with 13 tackles on the day.

Bandy went five for six in points-after kicks giving him 10 points on the scoreboard.

As the number-five ranked team, the Wildcats have earned home field advantage for the opening round of playoffs. That game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. when the Wildcats will host the Hanover Hornets. Hanover enters as the number 12 ranked team with an overall record of 6-4 on the season.