The second ranked Fleming Wildcats hosted the 15th ranked Hanover Hornets last Saturday for a blustery opening round of playoffs.

Fleming jumped to a quick 16-0 lead in the opening minutes of play and then doubled their score by the end of the half all the while holding Hanover out of the end zone.

About midway through the third quarter with a Wildcat lead of 42-0, Head Coach John King started utilizing some of his younger players. Freshman Wyatt Sonnenberg carried the ball several times and picked up 16 yards for the Wildcats before a hard tackle put him the back of an ambulance. Later reports from school officials were that Sonnenberg suffered a broken humorous.

The younger Wildcats did give up one touchdown to the Hornets, but held on to their lead and took the playoff win 58-6.

Senior Nolan Japp led the team in offensive yards for the day with 156 offensive yards. He led in rushing yards with 134 and also caught two passes for an additional 22 yards.

Sophomore Travis Johnson followed Japp in rushing yards with 42. He carried the ball three times.

Senior Braylen Feather returned to his quarterback position after a minor injury last week. He finished the game against Hanover with 148.6 quarterback rating after completing five of six passes for 54 yards. Feather threw two touchdowns.

Freshman Derek Houser spent some time in the QB spot. He completed one of two passes for 20 yards and a TD.

Senior Harry Harms led on the receiving end of those passes. He finished the day with 23 receiving yards off two catches - one of those resulting in six on the scoreboard.

Junior David Betley also caught a pass. His 20-yard reception earned a Wildcat touchdown.

Senior Blake Feather led Fleming's defense with nine tackles. He brought down seven solo and two assisted.

Senior Kolten Houser and junior Matix Haney followed with eight tackles apiece. Both players split theirs at three solo and five assisted.

Braylen Feather and Japp both caught two interceptions on the day. Feather picked up 29 yards on his interception returns. Japp added another 13.

Junior Wyatt Cochran grabbed Fleming's lone sack of the game. His sack resulted in a nine-yard loss for the Hornets.

Harry Harms

The Wildcats' quarterfinal contest is slated for this Friday at 2 p.m. Fleming won the coin toss and is scheduled to host the Genoa-Hugo Pirates.

The Pirates played Hanover in the final week of the regular season and took a 56-7 win in that contest. They entered the playoff bracket in the number seven slot and defeated Cheraw in last week's opening round. They come to Fleming at 8-2 on the year with losses to top-ranked Stratton and fifth ranked Otis.