Paden City senior Wes Cosper rushed 14 times for 112 yards and a score against the Cameron Dragons Oct. 3. But it wasn’t enough, as Cameron rolled to a 40-16 victory to mar the Wildcat Homecoming at Berger Field.

On the opening kick, the Wildcats elected to receive and, after several big plays by Cosper – including a two-yard rushing touchdown – Paden City was on the board with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Junior quarterback Malakai Anderson’s pass to Chaz Heasley connected for the two point conversion.

The Dragons answered with quarterback Stephen McDonald running it in from 10 yards out. Paden City fumbled the kickoff to give Cameron the ball on the Wildcat 36 yard line. But, good defense in the red zone and a huge stop by Anderson and junior Michael Greathouse, forced the turnover on downs.

On the next drive, Paden City marched down the field with a 41 yard strike from Anderson to junior receiver Josh Bennett, and a 41 yard run by Cosper that set up a one-yard TD run by Anderson. Anderson then connected with senior Ronnie Blatt for the two-point conversion to put the ‘Cats up 16-6.

With two minutes left in the half, Cameron running back Kyle Warsinsky scored from six yards out. McDonald made the two-point conversion to narrow the gap to 16-14.

After the half, both teams forced each other to punt on their opening drives. Cameron struck first from 17 yards out. After a Wildcat punt, the Dragons scored again with a completed 28-yard screen pass to put the Dragons ahead 28-16.

On the next series, Cameron intercepted a pass at the Wildcat 46 yard line. Paden City’s defense stopped the Dragons and forced them to punt, which was blocked by Wildcat freshman Taylor Still.

Anderson was benched with a broken thumb and Cosper took over quarterback duties. He fumbled the snap, which was recovered by Cameron. With good field position, the Dragons struck again with a TD from five yards out. Cameron recovered the kickoff and marched down the field, punching it in from the one yard line. The Dragons recovered another kickoff and ran out the clock to make the final 40-16 in favor of Cameron.

The loss dropped Paden City to 3-3 with a bye week coming up. The Wildcats will go to Beallsville Oct. 17 to take on the Blue Devils.